How to Treat & Prevent Blossom End Rot- Gardening Week #5

Blossom End Rot seems to be the arch enemy of the hopeful tomato gardener. Or maybe not since there are also aphids, spider ...

This article is a summary of a YouTube video "How to Treat & Prevent Blossom End Rot- Gardening Week #5" by Blossom Flower Delivery

Key insights about video How to Treat & Prevent Blossom End Rot- Gardening Week #5

🌱 Blossom end rot is a common issue affecting tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants, identifiable by a black ring at the blossom end of the fruit.

🍀 The condition is caused by calcium deficiency, often related to inconsistent watering which affects calcium availability.

🔄 Rotating crops annually can prevent calcium depletion in the soil, protecting tomatoes from developing blossom end rot.

🥚 Adding calcium to the soil, using eggshells or agricultural lime, can help prevent blossom end rot, but lime can also alter the soil pH.

🌺 Watering tomatoes with milk introduces calcium directly to the roots, offering a quick, though potentially expensive, solution to blossom end rot.

💧 Managing soil pH between 6.5 and 7.0 is crucial as it facilitates the availability of calcium to tomato plants.

🌳 Organic amendments like compost, coffee grounds, or cotton burr compost can help adjust soil pH and add necessary nutrients, including calcium.

🌞 Mulching tomatoes can help retain soil moisture and prevent the rapid drying that can exacerbate blossom end rot during hot temperatures.

🤔 Despite taking preventive measures, blossom end rot can still occur due to factors like extreme heat, so affected fruit is still edible if the rotten part is removed.

Timestamped Summary

00:20 Introduction to the topic of blossom end rot, a common problem affecting tomatoes and other plants like peppers and eggplants.

00:48 Description of how blossom end rot appears as a black ring at the bottom of the tomato where the blossom once was.

01:15 Clarification that tomatoes affected by blossom end rot can still be consumed after removing the rotten part.

01:36 Explanation that blossom end rot is caused by calcium deficiency, often due to watering issues preventing calcium uptake.

02:09 Suggestion to rotate crops to prevent calcium depletion in the soil.

02:42 Advice on adding calcium to the soil when planting tomatoes using crushed oyster shell, eggshells, or liming if needed.

03:48 Suggestion to water tomatoes with milk as a solution for calcium deficiency during the growing season.

04:17 Mention of using bone meal as another method to add calcium to the soil for gardeners.

05:01 Highlighting the importance of addressing soil pH to make calcium available for the plants.

05:16 Explanation of the ideal pH range for tomatoes (6.5 to 7) and ways to adjust the soil pH using lime, wood ashes, or compost.

06:23 Detailed methods to lower soil pH using compost, coffee grounds, cotton burr compost, or peat moss.

07:20 The importance of regular watering and mulching to help prevent blossom end rot.

08:00 Conclusion stating that even with preventative measures, blossom end rot can still occur, but these tips should help reduce its incidence.

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Q&A

What is blossom end rot and which plants does it primarily affect?

Blossom end rot is a common problem that primarily affects tomatoes, although it can also occur in peppers and eggplants. It manifests as a black rot at the bottom of the fruit, where the blossom was located.

Are tomatoes with blossom end rot still edible?

Yes, tomatoes with blossom end rot are still edible if you cut off the bottom part where the rot is. The rest of the tomato is fine for consumption.

What causes blossom end rot in tomatoes?

Blossom end rot in tomatoes is caused by a calcium deficiency in the plant. Watering issues can contribute to this problem by making calcium unavailable to the plant, which ultimately leads to the deficiency.

How can I prevent blossom end rot when planting tomatoes?

To prevent blossom end rot, you should rotate your tomato crops to different garden beds each year, as tomatoes uptake a lot of calcium and could deplete it in the soil if planted in the same spot repeatedly. Adding calcium to your soil, such as using eggshells or other calcium-rich amendments, can also help.

Can I treat blossom end rot on tomatoes that have already been planted?

Yes, you can treat blossom end rot on already planted tomatoes by adding calcium to the soil around them. You can water your tomatoes with milk, as it contains dissolved calcium that plants can quickly uptake. Other options include using bone meal, which is made from crushed-up bones and contains calcium.

How do I ensure the calcium in the soil is available to my tomato plants?

To make calcium available to your tomato plants, the soil pH should be between 6.5 and 7. You can adjust the soil pH by adding lime to raise it, or lower the pH with acidifying composts, such as cotton burr compost, peat moss, or homemade compost enriched with acidic materials like coffee.

What additional care can help prevent blossom end rot in tomatoes?

Watering your tomato plants regularly and providing a layer of mulch can help maintain consistent moisture levels and prevent rapid drying, which helps to prevent blossom end rot. Even with these precautions, high temperatures or other environmental factors may still cause the condition, but these practices can reduce the risk.