What is Blossom End Rot (Tomatoes)

A common disorder in tomatoes is blossom-end rot in which the fruit becomes sunken and blackened.  This condition is caused by lack of calcium in the developing fruit. 

Over-watering should be avoided, however, because root absorption may be less efficient. 

 

Symptoms

Black and sunken rotted sections at base of fruit.

 

How to protect your plants

Blossom-end rot is aggravated by moisture stress in very hot weather, so regular watering and mulching of the surface will help control the problem.  An application of lime or gypsum (calcium sulfate) to the bed before planting will lessen the incidence of this disorder.

 

Plants impacted

  • Tomatoes

Recommended products

Yates Thrive Natural Dolomite Lime

A certified input for organic gardening, that contains natural dolomite lime (calcium and magnesium carbonate). to gently raise the pH of acid soils.

Yates Thrive Natural Garden Lime

A certified input for organic gardening that contains natural lime (calcium carbonate) from Te Kuiti, in the King Country, to adjust soil acidity.

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