Why did my tomato do this?
by
Mybe
+8
I was so proud to pick the earliest tomato I've ever had. I took a picture of it on the vine and then went to pick it. It isn't very big, but still - a tomato in APRIL ! !
I went to pick it and found the top half is nice and red, the bottom half is tan/brown, kinda callous feeling not mushy. I was so disappointed I just left it. I was planning on cutting it open and see what its like inside, but its been rainy and I haven't gone out to do anything with the plant. If its still there tomorrow, I will pick it and cut it open.
Does anyone know what and why this occurred
It's called blossom rot. It's a calcium deficiency you need to mix up some lime. When you water only water around the base of the plant, not the fruit. http://www.gardeners.com/how-to/blossom-end-rot/5354.html
Yes, its blossom end rot . One solution is to take your old egg shells, crush them and spread around the bottom of your tomato plants. The egg shells are mostly calcium and its free. I used to put them in my old dedicated blender and pulverize them along with some peelings, etc which I buried in my garden . It makes good worm food and helps to feed the plants also. Its a win win situation.
Have a great day.
You can also buy organic bone meal and lime if you need it. I've never had enough egg shells for my garden. Bone meal adds calcium and should be worked into the top soil. Soil PH testers are inexpensive and I would test before adding lime.
You also can put plain tums into the soil near the roots; calcium available quickly that way. I just make a hole and drop a tums into the hole and then water.
I bought liquid calcium where you get your vitamins and dilute it with some water to dilute it and spray it on the soil. The fruit needs more calcium. It happened to me last summer and after the liquid calcium, problem was gone and my tomatoes were fine! Just do it once or twice a week when you water, probably 1/4 cup of the mix and water it in. Good Luck, it worked for me.
We always had that problem with Better Boys and Better Girls but never with the Rutger Big Boys.
I had always heard it was from not enough/too much watering and letting it go from soaked to arid dry, watering needs to be more consistent.
Calcium deficienc.
Lime will sweet the dirt...do not wet the plant, just around root base
I sprinkle dry instant milk around my plants once a week after having the same type of issue. Now, my tomatoes are so happy and yummy.
Yes, its a calcium shortage, unfortunately if it's been caused by an extremely wet season the waterlogged soil may be preventing the plant from taking up enough calcium EVEN IF YOUR SOIL HAS ENOUGH. So applying after the fact is a waste of $$ and time. That being said, you can add compost and fertilizer PRIOR to planting. That helps your plants become strong and able to survive in spite of it, always water the soil not the greenery. Build up your soil with leaves/during the fall and don't walk and compress your planting areas.