With the recent experiences of potatoes and broccoli refusing to thrive, I was very excited by the growth of my potted heirloom tomatoes on our front porch. They have flourished from seedlings and there are dozen of cute little green fruits, just waiting to ripen.
Only these green fruits are rotting on the bottom.
Please, garden gods, let me at least have tomatoes this year!
A little internet research revealed that my plant is suffering from blossom end rot. The roots are having trouble absorbing calcium from the soil, which causes the dark spots on the bottom of the tomatoes.
I could risk repotting the entire plant OR give them some Tums. A quick remedy for blossom end rot is to break up Tums and mix them into the soil for fast calcium absorption. I gave the tomatoes their mixed berry flavored medicine yesterday... so now I wait, with wishful thoughts of bruschetta on my mind.
Goodbye heartburn, hello healthy heirloom tomatoes?
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Don't worry! This happens every year to the first 2-3 tomatoes per plant. The rest end up being fine, even without any medicine.
ReplyDeleteYep, bottom end rot is a bummer. The good news is that it does not affect the taste of the rest of the tomato if you just cut it off. You can also apply a calcium solution with a spray bottle to young fruits to head it off. In general, the calcium deficiency results from overwatering tomatoes, not bad soil, ironically.
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