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Do you have tomatoes or other vegetables whose bottoms have turned brown and rotting? If so, you may have a bad case of blossom end rot. This pesky issue can creep on the best of gardeners. Knowing how to identify it is half the battle of preventing and treating it.
In today’s blog, we teach you how to spot the signs and symptoms of blossom end rot. We also give you tips on how to prevent and treat it. So, grab your garden gloves and let’s work on saving your vegetable crop!
What is blossom end rot?
During the summer, the number one question we receive is: Why are my tomatoes rotting on the bottom? The simple answer is blossom end rot. This issue is very common among tomatoes, peppers, egg plants, and squash. It happens when the blossom tip (AKA the bottom of the fruit) starts to break down and rot. It sometimes happens before the fruit even has a chance to fully mature. When blossom end rot takes hold, it can reduce the quality of the fruit produced. It can also impact the overall yield.
What does blossom end rot look like? Signs and symptoms
You may notice a sunken-in brown patch that looks like it is rotting on some of your vegetable crops. If you see this on vegetables like tomatoes, squash, eggplant or peppers, it is most likely caused by blossom end rot. It can be rather distressing to see and mind boggling at first to try and figure out what is causing it. Fear not, gardening friends. There are some simple steps that you can take to prevent and treat this disorder once it starts in your garden.
What causes blossom end rot?
At first, you might think this is a fungal disease or caused by some sort of garden pest. But, it is actually caused by an imbalance of calcium. Your soil might just be naturally low in calcium. Or, you may be over or under watering. If there is inconsistent watering, the plant can become stressed. A stressed out vegetable plant is less likely to take up the right level of calcium. If the plant is not able to take up the right amount of calcium, the tissues of the fruit will break down. And, blossom end rot will set in.
Other potential culprits for blossom end rot
Using a fertilizer that is too rich in nitrogen.
Improper pH level of the soil
High salt content in the soil
Damage sustained to the plant’s root system
How to spot the signs and symptoms of blossom end rot
Blossom end rot typically appears when the first fruit of the season is set. Look for it early so that you can treat it.
Blossom end rot starts with small sunken-in spots. It appears on the bottom of vegetables and looks wet and squishy
At first, it looks like the fruit of the vegetables is bruised. As it progresses, the spot will get larger and start to look like it is rotting.
It can affect up to half of a fruit making it inedible.
Five helpful tips to prevent blossom end rot
Step one: Vegetable crop and seed selection
Choose varieties that can tolerate calcium deficiencies. Or, select ones that are known to be less likely to succumb to blossom end rot. Today, there are a lot of hybrid varieties that are disease resistant. There are also some that are designed to be less likely to succumb to blossom end rot.
Step two: Keep a consistent watering schedule
Inconsistent watering is one of the contributing factors to blossom end rot. By watering evenly and consistently, you can help prevent blossom end rot in your garden. As a general rule, vegetable plants need about an inch of water per square foot per week. Keeping to a consistent schedule will cut down on the likelihood of blossom end rot.
Blossom end rot is particularly problematic when growing in containers. Growing in containers does not always result in consistent watering. Sometimes they are left to dry out. Make sure your containers are constantly monitored for water. This will help to prevent blossom end rot.
Step three: Avoid disturbing the roots of your plants
Blossom end rot can sometimes be caused by damage to the roots. Avoid digging near the roots or disturbing them while fruiting. Damage to the roots can prevent them from taking up water and nutrients from the soil.
Step four: Avoid overfertilizing during fruiting
When your vegetable plants are in fruit production mode, back off on fertilizing. By overfertilizing you can create an imbalance of nutrients.
Step five: Have your soil tested
Having your soil periodically tested will help to determine the pH level of your soil. It can also help you determine the calcium levels.
How to fix blossom end rot
If blossom end rot has taken hold of your plants, it’s not too late to fix it. The number one cause is usually inconsistent watering. Start by changing your watering habits. For best results, water deeply and evenly. Be consistent. Do not let your plants dry out for long periods of time and then soak them afterwards. The inconsistency is what often leads to blossom end rot.
If you find fruit that has developed blossom end rot, it is best to discard it. You can save the rest of your crop, but it will take some effort to monitor and address the underlying problem.
Final thoughts on blossom end rot
Remember that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution to addressing blossom end rot. Oftentimes, your soil is not the main problem. Soil naturally does have calcium in it. It is a matter of making sure that the plant is able to take up this vital nutrient. Sometimes, you may have to add extra calcium in, but a soil test will often tell you this. Instead, make sure that you keep to a consistent watering schedule. This is one of the best ways to prevent and treat blossom end rot.
