BLOSSOM END ROT

TOMATO TROUBLES

Ian

What has caused my tomatoes to go black at the base of the fruit, and how can I avoid this happening? BE by e-mail

Reply
It sounds as if your crop might be suffering from blossom end rot. This is a symptom of calcium deficiency, which is most commonly caused by irregular or insufficient watering. The dark patches that you describe are likely to spread and take on a leathery texture. Unfortunately, once this problem has occurred there is no treatment. In future seasons ensure that your crop is kept well watered, never allowing the compost to dry out. This is particularly important when the fruits are forming and swelling.

Horticultural.