Why are my tomatoes turning black?

How to Treat Blossom End Rot

tomato turning black, cincinnati, ohioThe common gardening question is, “Why are my tomatoes turning black?” The answer is Blossom End Rot.

Blossom End Rot usually occurs earlier in the season due to up and down temperatures, poor plant establishment, and wet spring, and tapers off as the season progresses and plants become better rooted, and weather adjusts.  It is a physical problem, not a disease. The ripened fruit can be eaten simply slice the black of the tomato.

What factors contribute to blossom end rot on tomatoes?

This common problem on tomatoes (also occurs on peppers, squash, melons, cucumbers, eggplant, etc.), and can be the result of many factors:

  • Water stress is caused by uneven soil moisture available to the plant. When plants take up moisture from the soil, it goes to the foliage first, then to the fruits. The lack of even moisture affects the fruit first, resulting in less calcium carried to the fruit.
  • Lack of calcium in the soil available for the plant to take up.
  • Root damages can cause this as well.
  • High feedings of Nitrogen
  • High salt levels in the soil
  • Too low or too high pH
  • Cold air and soil temperatures
  • Soils high in salts.
  • Individual plants are not doing their job internally, resulting in BER.

How to Control Blossom End Rot

  • Try adding calcium to the soil and til in, using lime or gypsum, before planting the plants in the ground or containers. These can also be added (top-dress and light raking) once Blossom End Rot shows up on the fruit to help correct future fruit from being affected.  (Calcium Nitrate, Water-soluble lime, hydrated lime, and very fine lime become available quickest of the lime – apply early). It may not help if other factors are involved.
  • Establish good soil moisture by increasing timely waterings. Apply mulch to tomatoes to retain soil moisture will help.
  • Do not overfeed the plants, in particular with high nitrogen fertilizer.  Excessive growth, stimulated by the high Nitrogen, increases foliage production, which increases the need for water and calcium to the leaves, and results in the lack of moisture and calcium.  Use an all-purpose garden food, which is lower in N and higher in Potassium and phosphorus, as well as other needed nutrients, including Calcium.
  • Check pH levels.  –
  • Cold temperatures (soil and air) will also affect the flow of calcium/water to the plant and fruit.  Another good reason not to plant tomatoes too early in the season!  Plant when the temperatures get warmer.
  • Keep records, as some selections are more susceptible than others.

NOTE:

For container gardening, potting mixes that do not contain calcium is harder to keep evenly moist, etc. It is advised to calcium to the mix using Soil Moist to help keep even moisture levels.  The larger the pot, the less watering is needed.

Temporary solutions are Blossom End Rot sprays and crushed Tums or Rolaids. You are better off correcting the overall situation causing the problem. Try these tips and end the black tomatoes.

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