Blossom End Rot and Your Heirloom Tomato Crop
by John Yazo
Blossom end rot is a common disorder with tomatoes. It is a symptom of a calcium deficiency in the fruit. It is usually caused by low calcium levels in the soil, low levels of calcium in the maturing fruit or even fluctuating moisture.
In tomatoes decay is visible on the blossom end of the fruits. The first visible symptoms of this disorder is a small darkened or water-soaked area around the blossom on the fruit. This appears about the same time the fruit begins to ripen. The spot will darkens, enlarge, and becomes sunken as the fruit matures. Concentric rings can also form around the lesions. The affected tissue is usually of a leathery texture and firm, unless a secondary decay organism starts.
Blossom-end rot produced from calcium deficiency is most often a result of climatic or cultural problems. It is usually related to several factors like, calcium, nitrogen and soil moisture levels. The severity of the condition can be compounded if two or more of these factors interact with each other. An example would be a low soil calcium level and an inadequate supply of soil moisture to the plant. It can also occur when there is to much calcium in the soil.
Preventative measures for this disorder include applying lime several months before planting to lower the calcium levels in the soil and to prepare the site to have a deep, well-drained soils. A plant with a large well formed root system is better able to take up more calcium and other minerals needed.
Having a good healthy organic soil structure is very important when organic gardening.
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