Effective Cures for Blossom End Rot on Tomatoes and Other Vegetables

Blossom end rot is a frustrating disorder that can plague tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and other fruiting vegetables. This condition causes the bottom of the fruit to become discolored and sunken. While unsightly, blossom end rot does not actually involve any rot organisms like fungi or bacteria. Instead, it is caused by a calcium deficiency in the plant.

Calcium is very important for making sure that fruit cell walls are properly formed. When fruit is growing and calcium levels are low, cells break down, which causes the damage that is typical of blossom end rot. Even though you can’t fix damaged fruit, you can stop problems from happening in the first place by using the right farming methods and adding nutrients to the soil.

What Causes Blossom End Rot?

There are a few key reasons why your plants may not be getting enough calcium:

• Inconsistent watering – Erratic watering causes fluctuations in soil moisture which reduces calcium uptake. This is the most common cause of blossom end rot.

• Low soil calcium – Continual crops grown in the same soil can deplete calcium over time. Have your soil tested to determine if this is the case

• Improper pH – A pH below 65 or above 7. 5 will make calcium less available. Check the pH of the soil and make changes as needed.

• Root damage – Cultivating too close to plants, transplant shock, and other root injuries affect nutrient absorption. Handle plants carefully.

• Over-fertilization: Too much nitrogen speeds up growth, which makes more calcium needed. Use a balanced fertilizer program.

Effective Treatments to Cure Blossom End Rot

While you cannot reverse blossom end rot once it develops on a fruit, you can take steps to prevent it from affecting more produce. Here are the most effective treatments:

1. Consistent Soil Moisture

Blossom end rot is most often caused by watering plants too much or too little. Every week, tomato plants and other vegetables need about 1 to 2 inches of water. To keep the soil at the right level of moisture, use drip irrigation, mulch, or other methods.

2. Add Organic Calcium Sources

If soil tests confirm low calcium levels, add calcium amendments such as:

• Crushed eggshells
• Bone meal
• Calcium nitrate
• Lime
• Gypsum

Work amendments into the soil before planting. Re-test soil pH after adding calcium to keep it in the ideal vegetable growing range.

3. Choose Calcium-Rich Fertilizers

Instead of typical nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium formulas, look for tomato fertilizers that also contain calcium. Apply according to label directions during fruiting.

4. Use Preventative Foliar Sprays

Applying calcium directly to plant leaves provides rapid absorption. Spray a calcium solution weekly once fruits start to develop.

• Calcium chloride – 1 tbsp per gallon of water
• Calcium nitrate – 1-2 tbsp per gallon of water

5. Allow Fruits to Fully Ripen

Immature green fruits are more prone to blossom end rot. Leave fruits on the vine longer to allow them to fully ripen and strengthen cell walls.

6. Consider Variety Selection

Some tomato varieties are more susceptible to blossom end rot than others. Talk to your local nursery about resistant options to try in the future.

7. Check Soil pH

Have your soil tested to determine pH. Vegetables grow best in slightly acidic conditions, between 6.5-7.0. If pH is off, amend soil with lime (to raise) or sulfur (to lower).

When to Treat Blossom End Rot

Be proactive to nip calcium issues in the bud. Take these steps:

• Before planting – Test and amend soil as needed. Incorporate calcium sources and set up irrigation.

• During growth – Avoid root damage from cultivation. Maintain even soil moisture.

• Early fruit set – Begin weekly foliar calcium sprays. Apply calcium-rich fertilizer.

• Throughout season – Monitor soil moisture and re-apply calcium spray after heavy rains.

Catching deficiencies early gives you the best chance of preventing blossom end rot all season long. While you may lose some early fruit, your efforts will pay off in bountiful, beautiful harvests.

Home Remedies for Blossom End Rot

Gardeners have come up with various home remedies to provide an immediate calcium boost when blossom end rot strikes:

• Antacid tablets – Crush calcium-based antacids and dissolve in water. Pour around plant roots.

• Milk – Spray a 1:1 milk and water solution onto affected plants. The calcium in milk offers rapid relief.

• Wood ashes – Sprinkling wood ash provides potassium and calcium. Use in moderation to avoid salt buildup.

• Bone meal – Work bone meal into soil around plants. It provides a readily available calcium source.

• Borax – Mix 1 tsp borax with 1 gallon of water and spray plants. Use this remedy occasionally.

These quick home treatments may help rescue plants after symptoms appear. However, correcting underlying issues with soil pH, fertility, and watering will provide the best results.

When to Remove Affected Fruit

Blossom end rot only affects the flower-end tip of the fruit. If the damaged area is minor, you can trim it away and eat the remainder of the tomato or pepper. However, severely affected fruit or those with lesions covering more than 25% of their surface should be removed and discarded.

Removing damaged fruit:

• Prevents rot organisms from moving in

• Allows the plant to direct energy towards new healthy fruit

• Reduces sources of disease inoculum

Promptly picking off and throwing out severely affected fruits limits further issues. Just be sure to follow cultural prevention methods to address the underlying calcium deficiency.

Does Blossom End Rot Affect Food Safety?

While blossom end rot damages fruit quality and productivity, it does not make the produce unsafe to eat. The affected tissue is limited to the flower-end of the fruit, leaving the remaining upper portion edible.

The lesions do not involve any pathogenic fungus or bacteria. Simply trim off any discolored areas on mildly affected fruit. The remainder can be eaten fresh or cooked into sauces with full confidence of safety.