Help with tomatoes
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Christy P on Aug 07, 2013Blossom end rot caused by calcium deficiency exacerbated by inconsistent moisture levels. Mine was like this last year, barely got any good tomatoes.Helpful Reply
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Drought Smart Plants on Aug 07, 2013As @Christy says, the blossom end rot is caused by lack of calcium - for next year, add Dolomite Lime to your soil (a lot!) and make sure you water well, preferably with tempered water (warmed by the sun, not straight out of a deep well). If you have lots like this, cut them off, and maybe that will trigger the plant to produce some more flowers (after you add some lime mixed with soil around the base of the plant).Helpful Reply
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Trisha Roemer on Aug 07, 2013You an easily fix this problem using epsom salts. One part Epsom salts to three parts water. You may have to do it several times in one week, but that should clear up the end rot.Helpful Reply
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Barbara on Aug 07, 2013This is very common and easily fixed with epsom saltsHelpful Reply
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Douglas Hunt on Aug 08, 2013As others have noted above, blossom end rot is caused by a calcium deficiency. Epsom salts contributes magnesium to the soil, it does not add calcium.Helpful Reply
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Terri on Aug 08, 2013So, Mr. Hunt, do not add Epsom salt? How do I add calcium? I'm sorry, but my 13 year old son and I are novice gardeners. Thank you all for your help!Helpful Reply
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Douglas Hunt on Aug 08, 2013I just read an article from Clemson University in which they specifically recommend against using Epsom Salts in cases of blossom end rot: "Avoid excessive potassium or magnesium fertilization as these nutrients will compete with calcium for uptake by the plants. Epsom salts is an example of a magnesium source, so do not apply to soil unless a recent soil report indicates a magnesium deficiency." The whole article is here: http://www.clemson.edu/extension/hgic/hot_topics/2009/08blossom_end_rot.htmlHelpful Reply
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Diane Sterling on Aug 09, 2013I also use powdered milk for mine! Sprinkle it around the base of each plant when planting and weekly thereafter.Helpful Reply
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Terri on Aug 09, 2013Does powdered milk attract insects?Helpful Reply
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Catherine Smith on Aug 09, 2013Hey Douglas, read the article you mentioned. Would be nice had they given some idea of how much is too much??? What the heck? I can't see how that's valid unless your dumping Epsom salts or bananas by the tractor trailer load? You have to have minute amounts of magnesium especially to react with the calcium in order for the plant to absorb it. Hmmm, evidently no biochem majors on that team. LOLHelpful Reply
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SUE on Aug 09, 2013Terri, I had the same thing happening to mine. I was told to get calcium tablets and put around my plants. I did and it helped. Thought I had nothing to loose. I crushed them and sprinkled around each plant, then watered as normal. Done this a couple of weeks then a little heavier on the miracle grow.Helpful Reply
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Terri on Aug 09, 2013Sue, what kind of calcium tablets did u use?Helpful Reply
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SUE on Aug 09, 2013I just picked up some at Wal mart . The ones you would takeHelpful Reply
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Kathleen Supe on Jun 06, 2015looks like bottom rot to me. to much waterHelpful Reply
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Sandra wilson on Jun 06, 2015http://www.gardeners.com/how-to/blossom-end-rot/5354.html needs calcium.Helpful Reply
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Sandra wilson on Jun 06, 2015you can take egg shell and turn them to dust and to water or topsoil when watering just save them in old coffee can you can also do the same with your calcium tabsHelpful Reply
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Mary Ward on Jun 19, 2015quick look inside that tomato looks like Michael Jackson, with the gold vest, sun glasses and white gloves..Helpful Reply
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