Blossom end rot in tomatoes shows up a browning or blackening areas on the bottom of the fruit. It is more common than not on the first ripening tomatoes. Pepper and eggplant also get this condition, but to a lesser extent.
Often end rot is blamed on lack of calcium in the soil, however, it is very usual for our soils to be lacking in calcium. What happens is during rapid growth early in the first fruit stage plants are able to take up enough soil calcium.
The cause is mainly environmental due to uneven water in the soil, fertilizing too early in tomato growth, or wide soil temperature variations.
Solutions, apply a mulch to keep the soil moisture and temperature even. Make sure the soil drains by adding organic material or sand in clay soils. Early varieties are more susceptible than later varieties. Adding liquid soluble calcium at a certain time may help the plant to absorb more calcium and certainly will not hurt to add eggshells or Epsom salts, DO NOT add limestone to our alkaline soils. The calcium buildup will increase the pH of the soil, especially in clay soils.
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