Blossom end rot can be disheartening for gardeners, but fear not! In this article we will give you a quick look into what causes blossom end rot and how to prevent it!
What is Blossom End Rot?
Blossom end rot is a non-infectious disorder that affects certain fruits and vegetables. You can identify it by the development of dark, sunken lesions on the blossom end (the bottom) of the fruit. While it most commonly affects tomatoes, it can also impact capsicums, zucchini, squash and eggplants. The condition affects the quality of the fruit and yield of the plant.
Causes of Blossom End Rot:
- Inconsistent Watering: Fluctuations in soil moisture can contribute to blossom end rot. Inconsistent watering affects the plant’s ability to take up calcium from the soil, exacerbating the problem.
- Calcium Deficiency: Another primary cause of blossom end rot is a lack of calcium. Calcium is crucial for growing tomatoes.
- pH Imbalance: Soil pH plays a significant role in nutrient availability. If the soil pH is too high or too low, it can prevent the plant’s ability to absorb calcium.
- Excessive Salts: High levels of salts in the soil can disrupt the uptake of calcium by the plant, leading to blossom end rot.
Preventing Blossom End Rot:
- Maintain Consistent Watering: Provide a consistent and even supply of water to your plants. Use mulch around the base of the plants to retain moisture and reduce fluctuations in soil moisture levels.
- Soil Amendments: Add dolomite lime to acid soil or gypsum to alkaline soil before planting or top dress once planted. This helps ensure an ample supply of calcium for the developing fruits.
- Monitor Soil pH: Test the soil pH and adjust it to the optimal range for your crops. Lime can be added to raise pH, while sulphur can lower it.
- Avoid Over-fertilisation: Excessive use of fertilisers, especially those high in nitrogen, can hinder calcium uptake.
- Crop Rotation: Practice crop rotation to prevent the build-up of salts in the soil. This helps maintain a healthy balance of nutrients.
Hopefully, these tips will help you to prevent blossom end rot and any problems will fade.
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