Blossom end rot can be vexing. The cause is that the plant does not provide enough calcium to the maturing fruit. The reason can be 1) there is not enough calcium in the soil (relatively rare), 2) there is sufficient calcium in the soil, but the plant’s roots can’t absorb it, which can be because there are other similar ions blocking it (usually magnesium) or because of a pH imbalance (usually too high), 3) there is enough available calcium, but the plant can’t transport enough to the fruit, often because of insufficient watering, or 4) the plant doesn’t have the “plumbing” to deliver the calcium, so this can appear in early fruit even if things are otherwise fine. Some varieties are more prone to this than others.
Because the causes are numerous and varied, it is hard to recommend a solution without a lot more details. But generally, the best course is to water consistently, make sure to fertilize regularly, and don’t do things to jack up the pH or add excess magnesium. And usually this will resolve over time. If it continues to be a problem, next year look at growing BER resistant varieties.
Nuclear420v
Write a book about what you did because I have never seen anything like that in my life.
3 Comments
Blossom end rot.
Blossom end rot can be vexing. The cause is that the plant does not provide enough calcium to the maturing fruit. The reason can be 1) there is not enough calcium in the soil (relatively rare), 2) there is sufficient calcium in the soil, but the plant’s roots can’t absorb it, which can be because there are other similar ions blocking it (usually magnesium) or because of a pH imbalance (usually too high), 3) there is enough available calcium, but the plant can’t transport enough to the fruit, often because of insufficient watering, or 4) the plant doesn’t have the “plumbing” to deliver the calcium, so this can appear in early fruit even if things are otherwise fine. Some varieties are more prone to this than others.
Because the causes are numerous and varied, it is hard to recommend a solution without a lot more details. But generally, the best course is to water consistently, make sure to fertilize regularly, and don’t do things to jack up the pH or add excess magnesium. And usually this will resolve over time. If it continues to be a problem, next year look at growing BER resistant varieties.
Write a book about what you did because I have never seen anything like that in my life.