Tomato with Blossom End Rot

How to Identify and Treat

Blossom-end rot is a disorder that affects tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants. You will notice a dry sunken decay that develops on the blossom end (opposite the stem) of the fruit. The spot will then turn leathery and black. Blossom End Rot can be very damaging, affecting up to 50% of your crop if not treated.

Causes

Blossom End Rot is caused by not enough calcium in the fruit. This can be due to low calcium levels in the soil, and/or inconsistent watering (letting the plant get too dry, then overwatering).

Treatment

•Don’t let your plants get too dry, or too wet. Plants generally need about one inch of moisture per week for proper growth and development.
•Fertilize with Tomato-tone, Garden-tone or other calcium-rich fertilizers such as Chickity-doo-doo.
•Add a mulch layer of Sweet Peet around the plants to help retain moisture and add nutrients to the soil.
•Water the plant with 1 tablespoon Epsom Salts mixed in a gallon of water to improve plant strength.