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Tomatoes Going Rotten at the Bottom

Discussion in 'Pests, Diseases and Cures' started by joh98.mac, Sep 4, 2014.

  1. joh98.mac

    joh98.mac Gardener

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    tomatoe1.jpg
    tomato2.jpg

    Hi folks,
    I have four big, healthy tomato plants sitting on our balcony, and each one of them has about 30 (if not more) nice, plump tomatoes sitting on them.

    All of the tomatoes are currently a beautiful deep green colour, and most of them are starting to go slightly translucent which I believe (this is only my second year growing them, so correct me if I'm wrong!) is the phase just before ripening.

    However, three of them went red last week, and each and every time they did, the underside went black and rotten. It's always the underside. Pluck the red tomato, look underneath it, and it's gone black in a sort of 'parabola' form, from the bottom up.

    Have they got a disease ? Is the death of all them inevitable? Since they're going 'translucent', would it be possible to pluck them now and ripen them on a windowsill?

    Your advice would be gratefully received.
     
    joh98.mac, Sep 4, 2014
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  2. Fat Controller

    Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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    Sounds like blossom end rot to me - usually caused by inconsistent watering or over watering
     
    Fat Controller, Sep 4, 2014
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  3. joh98.mac

    joh98.mac Gardener

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    Just googled. Yep, that's exactly what it is.

    I water the plants every second day. Too much ?
     
    joh98.mac, Sep 4, 2014
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  4. Fat Controller

    Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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    I suspect that it's not so much the quantity of water, but the frequency - if the compost is drying out in between waterings that can lead to blossom end rot


    Welcome to GC by the way :sign0016:
     
    Fat Controller, Sep 4, 2014
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  5. joh98.mac

    joh98.mac Gardener

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    Thank you for both. :) I'll try to water them morning and night, but just give them a little less...
     
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      joh98.mac, Sep 4, 2014
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    • JWK

      JWK Gardener Staff Member

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      You need to water when they need it rather than a set amount every day. Tomatoes vary tremendously on their water needs depending on the weather, growth stage and the depth of their roots system in the soil. If you have them in grow bags or small containers they will need careful monitoring to ensure you don't under or over-water.

      What are you growing them in, grow-bags or pots? And do you have drainage holes to let the excess water escape?
       
      JWK, Sep 4, 2014
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    • joh98.mac

      joh98.mac Gardener

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      Hi,
      They're in large (30 cm) pots out on the balcony, and I drilled drainage holes into each of the pots.
       
      joh98.mac, Sep 5, 2014
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    • JWK

      JWK Gardener Staff Member

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      That sounds OK, it's just a case of monitoring the compost and watering when its needed.
       
      JWK, Sep 5, 2014
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    • joh98.mac

      joh98.mac Gardener

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      How do I know when it's needed ?
       
      joh98.mac, Sep 5, 2014
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    • JWK

      JWK Gardener Staff Member

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      With pots you can give it a tap, they sound hollow if dry or lift gently (dry compost is very light). I sometimes stick my finger in to feel if the compost is dry or soggy an inch or so down. Otherwise buy a cheap moisture meter like this for less than a tenner:

      [​IMG]
       
      • Informative Informative x 1
        JWK, Sep 5, 2014
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