Blossom End Rot

i picked this money maker tonight thinking to add to a salad.very disappointed. was told its caused by water getting onto flowers,leaves etc early on but thought that cant be right as spraying flowers to help pollination is advised.when i looked it up it reads its caused when the compost is dry.common problem when using grow bags.hope the rest dont go the same way. :(

 

We've lost around 30 tomato fruits with BER. We left our son looking after the GH while we were away on holiday for 3 weeks. He let the plants get too dry before watering. Last year we had the opposite problem - he over watered the cucumbers and two rotted.

Maybe next year.......... :rolleyes:

 

sorry to hear that Dave.ive only got myself to blame though, even watering twice a day and leaving excess water in the tubs doesnt seem to have been enough.as you say,maybe next year.... :(

 

I am retired and I don't know how working people manage in this heat, I am watering 4 times a day at the moment, that is the rate at which the tomato plants are absorbing it in the greenhouse! Twice a day with hanging baskets outside.

 

It's not guaranteed but if you plant your toms in good size pots (12" or bigger) rather than growbags and also stand them on gravel trays with a 1/2" water in them it will help.

 

It's heavy going with the watering here too. Although we have irrigation on for a short period twice a day, at 5pm and 3am, but I'm still heaving the watering can around. Had a surprise cloudburst today but it wasn't enough to soak into the roots, just knock a bit of dust off the leaves, but we're grateful for small mercies!

Following along your lines, DAG, I'm also retired (early) and don't know how I ever had time to go to work, which I did for 37 years. When did I do all the things I have to do now ??? was our house a tip? our clothes and linen dirty? did we eat? I know the garden was always pretty :D :confused:

 

I have only had BER on my beef tomatoes and I think it is because they need more water than the regular toms.
I have got gardeners delight which give me a handful of lovely toms every other day and alicante, which are just starting to ripen. No BER on these varieties.

I am growing in growbags and I water every evening (because I am not retired) and feed with comfrey.

good luck with your toms.
sally B.