Shop Products
Houzz Logo Print
joiseygirl71

Blossom End Rot

Joiseygirl71
11 years ago

I have planted many roma plum tomato plants, both in the ground and a couple in containers. All started from seed. I have noticed that the ones ripening all have BER. I know what some of the causes can be, but have a few questions around it.

The BER is affecting both the plants planted in the ground and those in containers. Wouldn't that rule out the soil not having enough calcium as they are planted in two different mediums? Also, the plants planted in the ground are also planted with beefsteak tomatoes and the beefsteaks are not affected by BER. I will say we planted too many plants in too small a space, but since this is not fungal, could that be a cause? Especially since it's only the roma tomatoes affected?

I fertilize once a week, sometimes longer, with Miracle Grow plant food with the hose end feeder. I feel we water pretty regularly as well.

Any idea what gives??

Thanks so much! I love this site. Just wish I had enough knowledge to give back, lol!

Comments (12)

  • coralb
    11 years ago

    I think some paste tomatoes are more prone to it. They often grow out of it. One year I grew Big Mama paste tomatoes and every last one had BER, while none of the other 10 types had it all.

  • leisa_in_md
    11 years ago

    I have the same problem. All my toms are fine EXCEPT the roma, and every tomato on that plant has BER. Actually I got ONE today that didn't. But that's the first. Hopefully more will be ok! Cherries and regular toms are fine.

    My Roma last year did eventually straighten itself out.

  • edweather USDA 9a, HZ 9, Sunset 28
    11 years ago

    I'm still getting BER in some of my container tomatoes, but I'm also getting alot of good tomatoes. I'm just trying to ID the bad ones asap and get rid of them. I have one SWC with a Reif Red Heart planted in it. Early on, the hearts were small and about half of them had BER. After I got rid of the BER ones the others really started to grow. Now there are lots of 1 pound+ hearts on it. None red yet, but will be soon.

  • digdirt2
    11 years ago

    If you will go over to the Tomatoes forum here (linked directly from this forum) and click on the FAQ button there you will find a detailed explanation of the causes of BER (lack of cacium in the soil is not the cause) and tips for correcting it. You'll also find numerous discussions about it and which varieties and growing conditions contribute to the problem.

    Dave

  • pegleg48
    11 years ago

    I'm about this close to tearing up my romas all together. They've been producing like crazy, but every single last fruit has has BER. No more roma for me. I've had to pick the plants clean, and pray an new fruit will be unaffected.
    My cherry toms are doing great!
    Good luck, and I feel your pain

  • glib
    11 years ago

    The Tomatoes FAQ says excessive fertilization is a potential cause. It seems to me that weekly feedings qualifies as excessive fertilization. This year I have had zero BER. By now I have picked several hundred toms, so I think I can declare victory. I mulched, but I also fertilized only once at the beginning (in May), with urea. I applied sulfur to correct my alkaline (pH=7.6) soil.

  • soilent_green
    11 years ago

    I gave up on Roma years ago. So many other better paste varieties that do not get BER.

  • glib
    11 years ago

    Opalka, for example, and it makes it in less than ideal conditions.

  • digdirt2
    11 years ago

    Agree that there are so many better paste type tomatoes that I can't see why anyone would waste their time and effort on Romas.

    But many paste-types are very prone to BER just because of their shape. And trying to grow them in a container with all the watering issues associated with container gardening almost guarantees BER.

    Somehow the marketing gurus have convinced folks that if you want to make tomato sauce you have to grow Romas. It isn't true but far too many buy into the claim.

    Dave

  • gumby_ct
    11 years ago

    Some varieties are more prone than others but Lack of calcium "in the plant" contributes to BER. Water moves the calcium within the plant so "irregular watering" will also contribute to BER which is why containers and tomatoes are a challenge.

    You say I am watering plenty - but your plants say otherwise. The reason many have noticed it straightening out is the rains.

  • kristinalynn
    11 years ago

    I grew Romas for the first time this summer. My first 5 or so ripened romas had BER, so I stopped watering the tomato plants as frequently as the rest of my garden. When I notice that the plant itself is wilting slightly, I'll give it a watering. I haven't had any BER since changing my watering habits!

  • edweather USDA 9a, HZ 9, Sunset 28
    11 years ago

    Funny, this year I've had some typical BER on various plants, but on my Cherokee Purple, I've had some BER that appears to have healed and hardened over on some ripe ones. I just cut the bottom off, and the rest of the tomato is as tasty as ever. The only reason I kept them is that I didn't notice it until I picked them. I probably would have pulled them and chucked them if I noticed it when they were green.

Sponsored
Land & Water Design
Average rating: 4.9 out of 5 stars30 Reviews
VA's Modern & Intentional Outdoor Living Spaces | 16x Best of Houzz