A garden is only as good as the ground that it's planted in. Discussion forum for the many ways to improve the soil where we plant our gardens.
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#1 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: New England
Posts: 46
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I'm growing opalka plum tomatoes. Although the plants have been fruiting like crazy, at least two thirds of the fruit have blossom end rot. Based on a soil test, I know my soil was very calcium deficient when I started. I mixed in compost, Dr. Earth's rock phosphate (containing calcium phosphate) and egg shells when I planted but I guess that wasn't enough.
A week or two ago, when I noticed how widespread the blossom end rot was, I added more egg shell bits and rock phosphate. Then, I mulched the bed with composted leaves and pine needles to keep the soil more evenly moist. I've been careful to water more consistently too. Nonetheless, I noticed today that the newer juvenile tomatoes are starting to get soft spots on their blossom ends. ![]() The plants are showing early signs of over-feeding so I don't want to amend the soil any further. Should I try one of those calcium sprays or give it more time? Am I doomed to sad mushy half-tomatoes all season? ![]()
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#2 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: May 2013
Location: New Mexico
Posts: 2,052
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Here is an article with good info on plants' ability to take up calcium. It appears that there aren't any quick remedies, but balancing nutrients would be a good start. Good Luck.
http://maximumyield.com/take-a-trip-...lcium-highway/ |
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#3 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: New England
Posts: 46
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I don't know it makes any difference, but I picked the a bunch of the larger affected fruits to ease stress and nutrient load on the plants. At least I managed to save enough pieces for a big tray of fried green tomatoes.
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Root for your cuttings and they'll do the same for you |
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#4 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Upstate NY
Posts: 300
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Dave says that adding eggshells will do nothing to add the calcium needed, and it's the wrong kind of calcium. That's pretty much the only help I can offer, never had a calcium problem to get further into it. Good luck!
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#5 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Vermont
Posts: 1,001
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I really love Opalkas, but they are the most likely to get BER than any tomato I've tried. I don't have any quick fixes, but when they work, Opalkas are worth the trouble!
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"Red meat is NOT bad for you. Now blue-green meat, THAT'S bad for you!" -- Tommy Smothers |
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#6 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: New England
Posts: 46
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It's reassuring to know that I'm not alone in having Opalkas with BER. I was beginning to feel like a bad plant parent!
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Root for your cuttings and they'll do the same for you |
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#7 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: New England
Posts: 46
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The gypsum worked! Okay, it could be a coincidence but the plants really turned around after I applied it. I went from ~90% of my tomatoes getting BER by the time they got big to only a few getting it. Hooray for pointy Opalkas!
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Root for your cuttings and they'll do the same for you |
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#8 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Cuyahoga Falls,Ohio
Posts: 818
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I added gypsum to my garden this year to help keep the soil loose,seems the worms love it.I also read that it added calcium to the soil.It's a cheap way to go.It stays in the soil a while, I would think it works better turned into your soil but have been told even left on the surface it's still effective.
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#9 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Central Idaho at 3200 elev. in zone 5b, maybe 100 frost free days
Posts: 77
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Opalka are my favorite tomatoe for fresh eating and canning. They taste great in salsa and are beautiful in the jars. Blossom end rot is such a painful experience. I've much less trouble with BER
this year than last since I put in a drip irrigation system with a $25.00 timer. It might help others too.
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Happy garden trails, Dawn ![]() |
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#10 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: NC - zone 8a - heat zone 7
Posts: 4,916
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BER is mostly due to soil moisture fluctuations ( drying out) than Ca deficiency. For the same reason it occurs more often in container growing.
Then of course we know that Roma/plum types are more BER prone. Gardeneer |
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