Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Blossom-End Rot

The scourge of tomato growers everywhere can be especially troublesome in container-grown tomatoes.  If the uptake of calcium to the growing tomato is interrupted by dry (or unhealthy) soil the result is blossom-end rot. 
When these tomatoes where planted in early March, it was fairly cool and the three times weekly watering was fine.  But, when they started getting larger and the temperatures got higher, I allowed the soil to dry out one hot weekend.  BIG MISTAKE.   
Luckily, the first time I noticed some wilting on the plants I adjusted the watering timer so that they would not dry out, EVER, and the damage was contained to just a few of the developing tomatoes.  
I'm not saying that you want your plants to be soaked at all times.  You never want your plants to sit in soaking-wet ground for long periods, they will drown and die eventually.  What you want is evenly moist soil, and in containers with good drainage, that requires constant attention.
All this water draining out of the bottom of the container will leach nutrients out with it, so be sure to supplement with some kind fertilizer.  I use 1/2 strength Miracle Grow twice a week, but there are many other methods, use what works for you.

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