I have a lot of tomatos just starting to ripen BUT many of them have blossom end rot. Is it too late to save some of the others.. I have heard its lack of calsium,could I give them goat milk..There Roma type.. Love the forum.. Doris in Idaho

-- Doris Richards (dorisquilts@webtv.net), July 30, 2000

Answers

Hi Doris: I don't know about milk but I have used calcium chloride (de-icing salt) mix with water, (1 Tbsp. per gallon of water) and spray it on the foliage 3-4 times per week. There are products specifically for this problem as well, but from what I read on the label they are mostly just calcium and water. Try to keep moisture levels from fluctuating. Good luck with the rest of the tomatoes.

-- Marci (ajourend@libby.org), July 30, 2000.

Doris, we always have blossom end rot on the early tomtoes but by the time the second ones are ripe, on each vine they are fine! We don't change any thing! Don't know why but it has happened for the last 19yrs. Now I just pick off the early ones and throw them in the compost and wait for the others...

-- Debbie T in N.C. (rdtyner@mindspring.com), July 30, 2000.

Hi Doris, We have nearly excessive calcium in our soil here,yet we still have had problems with blossom-end rot.This year our tomatoes are wonderful.It really does help to keep the soil from drying out too much that way the plants are able to use the calcium.It also helps keep the skins nice and smooth-no big,ugly cracks. Hope your second crop does beautifully! God Bless, ~~~Tracy~~~

-- Tracy Jo Neff (tntneff@ifriendly.com), July 30, 2000.

Doris;

I had this same problem earlier, The post is probably in the archives. I added some Calcium Carbonate and powdered milk and insured that the soil around the plants stayed moist. It seems that this caused by a lack of calcium in the soil and irregular water amounts. If the plants have a hard time getting moisture the have a hard time getting other nutirents (calcium) after I did this the new growth tomatoes came on just fine. Brad made an excellent suggestion that I'm trying as well, All of our egg shells are going in the compost for the garden as well. A little prevention and a good use of the shells.

Jim

-- Jim Tanner (tanner_jim@hotmail.com), July 31, 2000.

For what it's worth, an old timer told me to give Tums antacids to the tomatoe plants to prevent blossem end rot. Might be too late for those already with it. Said 3 to 4 tablets per plant outta do ya'.

Knock on wood I haven't had a problem here though.

-- Eric in TN (ems@nac.net), August 01, 2000.