I had a container garden last year with tomato plants and developed "blossom end rot". Does anyone have a solution to prevent this? I was told it was from a lack of calcium, so I bought Green Light Blossom End Rot Spray and sprayed the tomato plants. I didn't have much luck with this and lost nearly half my crop. I love homegrown tomatoes! So any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
Blossom end rot is caused by lack of calcium and/or uneven watering. The calcium has to be able to get to the plant so good watering is essential. Using egg shells is a good way to go. Any time I use a raw egg, I rinse out the shell and throw it in a container under the kitchen sink. When it's full, I start a new container. In the spring, I put all of the shells (you'd be amazed by how many you have, and how heavy they are!) into a big container and stomp on them. It's as simple as sprinkling them on the ground after the tomatoes are planted. They add calcium to the soil. Also, slugs won't cross them since they are too rough for their underbellies. Tomatoes also benefit from having a marigold planted near them but that's another story!
Blossom end rot can happen also when there is not enough air moving around the plant. I pinch off anything 10 inches from the ground and down.
Also, you need to pick up a bag/box of epsom salts. Cheapest in the drug store section of Walmart, etc. Maby $2 for a large bag. Instructions are on there for gardens. Magnesium Sulfate or lack there of, indeed inhances bottom rot. I also use when planting BONE/BLOOD MEAL--Shultz makes a good one. I put this into the ground. If you have potted tomato plants you might be leaching the iron out of the plant too. Special stuff by Schultz to add that. None too expensive. I raise romas for everything and can/freeze too.
Make sure your soil is good, blend in fresh peat moss and some sand every year. I dump my sand boxes in the fall into the gardens. THEY LOVE IT.
I spray with liquid soap from the kitchen. 1 table spoon to a quart spray bottle from Dollar store. Start treatment when you see the first end rot. Do it every day, more info online, search for your question, good luck.
I bury eggshells, give them an aspirin and be very consistent with your watering. They found a couple of regular cheap old aspirins a couple of times in the growing season ads vigor to the plant and volume to the fruit, I had success with aspirin just put a couple in the hole when you plant the plant.
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