Blossom-end rot is a tomato problem typified by dark, water-soaked spots on the bottom of each fruit. These grow over time and become leathery and sunken, affecting both the appearance and edibility of the tomato. Blossom-end rot usually happens because of a nutrient imbalance, though other factors can also encourage it. While this problem is best prevented using cultural techniques, applying calcium nitrate spray to affected plants can correct it, especially in indoor or container-grown tomatoes.
Tomato plants require four key elements ensuring healthy growth and a maximum crop yield. Nitrogen, calcium, potassium and phosphorus all affect tomato plants' growth but in different ways. The delivery of these four elements makes a difference. Nitrogen is most effectively delivered as calcium nitrate. Too much nitrogen decreases the plants' health. Know how much is enough and how much is too much.
Tomato plants require a balanced dose of nitrogen, phosphorus and calcium, but over-fertilizing and poor soil quality can cause imbalances. An excess of nitrogen may make your plants look lush and green, but it tends to result in thin, lanky stalks, poor fruit set and an increased risk of blossom-end rot later in the season. This problem occurs more frequently in areas with sandy soil, high salinity or inconsistent moisture levels.
Nutrient needs
Tomato plants usually often get much nitrogen and too little calcium and phosphorus, required for strong, thick tomato stalks, strong plant cell walls and disease-resistance. Nitrogen produces early, lush foliage, but impedes fruit set and reduces leaves and fruit production later in the season. Potassium also promotes growth, blossom and fruit set.
Soil
Soil for tomato plants should be well drained but holds moisture. The best time to prepare the ground is the previous autumn. Plough and then test the soil. The two nitrogen levels your test will report. AN and NN should be 40 phosphorus and potassium readings 240, calcium 3,000 and magnesium 400. Correct low or high levels.
Watering
Fertiliser alone won't produce healthy plants. The availability of calcium and phosphorus depends chiefly upon soil moisture. Too much or too little moisture impedes plant uptake of nutrients. High-calcium soils may produce calcium deficient plants if improperly watered. Microorganisms and organic acids in the soil also affect phosphorus and calcium absorption by the plants. Waterlogged or arid soils inhibit microorganisms and organic acids from doing their jobs.
Nutrient depletion issues
Horticulture scientists in Iran demonstrated that attention to calcium and potassium in fertilisation produces the best quality tomatoes. During fruit development, tomatoes deplete potassium and weaken plants. Applying potassium, phosphorus and calcium restores minerals absorbed for fruit growth.
Application
Space tomato plants 2 to 3 feet apart in rows 4 to 5 feet apart. Apply fertiliser on transplanting and again when the first fruits are one third grown. Apply 1.59kg. of calcium nitrate per 100 feet of row or 312 to 340gr/ per plant, mixed into the top inch of soil. Avoid dusting the foliage with the fertiliser. Wash it off if you do. Calcium nitrate is found in many tomato specific fertilisers that also contain potassium, phosphorus and magnesium. An 8-32-16 or 6-24-24 tomato-specific fertiliser is most widely recommended by horticulturists. Fertilisers with calcium nitrate not only provide nitrogen, but calcium as well
Calcium Nitrate Effects
If your tomatoes show distress during the run up to harvest, calcium nitrate boosts plant growth, strong stems and branches. Calcium nitrate delays flowering and seed set. Some gardeners use it for that purpose, applying 1 to 3 gallons of calcium nitrate per acre per week during plant growth. Discontinue calcium nitrate before fruiting begins.
The best way to prevent your tomatoes from developing unappealing dark spots is to provide balanced nutrition and consistent watering. Amend your soil periodically with lime to increase pH and provide calcium. If you choose to apply fertilizer, use small amounts at a time to avoid an excess of nitrogen in the soil. Mulch plants to conserve water and reduce the risk of dry soil, watering only when necessary. Ideally, the soil should stay moist but not wet, to encourage appropriate uptake of calcium and phosphorus.
If your tomatoes have already developed blossom-end rot, you can provide more balanced nutrition using a foliar spray of calcium nitrate mixed with water. Combine 4 level tablespoons of calcium nitrate in 1 gallon of water and apply to the tomato leaves two to three times per week, starting when the second set of blossoms appears. The ideal application rate is 1 gallon of this solution for every 20 to 50 square feet of garden, notes International Ag Labs. You can also apply calcium nitrate as a side-dressing at a rate of 4 ounces for 7 to 10 feet of row. Mix the side dressing carefully into the first 1 inch of surface soil and avoid getting it on the leaves.
Calcium nitrate sprays are most effective on plants grown indoors or on a patio in a controlled environment, according to the University of California's Department of Agriculture & Natural Resources. The sprays produce less reliable results in the garden, making them a less desirable option than carefully timed watering and fertilizer application schedules. Use calcium nitrate on your tomatoes only after exhausting other solutions for blossom-end rot.
Tomato Nutrient Requirements
Tomato plants require a balanced dose of nitrogen, phosphorus and calcium, but over-fertilizing and poor soil quality can cause imbalances. An excess of nitrogen may make your plants look lush and green, but it tends to result in thin, lanky stalks, poor fruit set and an increased risk of blossom-end rot later in the season. This problem occurs more frequently in areas with sandy soil, high salinity or inconsistent moisture levels.
Nutrient needs
Tomato plants usually often get much nitrogen and too little calcium and phosphorus, required for strong, thick tomato stalks, strong plant cell walls and disease-resistance. Nitrogen produces early, lush foliage, but impedes fruit set and reduces leaves and fruit production later in the season. Potassium also promotes growth, blossom and fruit set.
Soil
Soil for tomato plants should be well drained but holds moisture. The best time to prepare the ground is the previous autumn. Plough and then test the soil. The two nitrogen levels your test will report. AN and NN should be 40 phosphorus and potassium readings 240, calcium 3,000 and magnesium 400. Correct low or high levels.
Watering
Fertiliser alone won't produce healthy plants. The availability of calcium and phosphorus depends chiefly upon soil moisture. Too much or too little moisture impedes plant uptake of nutrients. High-calcium soils may produce calcium deficient plants if improperly watered. Microorganisms and organic acids in the soil also affect phosphorus and calcium absorption by the plants. Waterlogged or arid soils inhibit microorganisms and organic acids from doing their jobs.
Nutrient depletion issues
Horticulture scientists in Iran demonstrated that attention to calcium and potassium in fertilisation produces the best quality tomatoes. During fruit development, tomatoes deplete potassium and weaken plants. Applying potassium, phosphorus and calcium restores minerals absorbed for fruit growth.
Application
Space tomato plants 2 to 3 feet apart in rows 4 to 5 feet apart. Apply fertiliser on transplanting and again when the first fruits are one third grown. Apply 1.59kg. of calcium nitrate per 100 feet of row or 312 to 340gr/ per plant, mixed into the top inch of soil. Avoid dusting the foliage with the fertiliser. Wash it off if you do. Calcium nitrate is found in many tomato specific fertilisers that also contain potassium, phosphorus and magnesium. An 8-32-16 or 6-24-24 tomato-specific fertiliser is most widely recommended by horticulturists. Fertilisers with calcium nitrate not only provide nitrogen, but calcium as well
Calcium Nitrate Effects
If your tomatoes show distress during the run up to harvest, calcium nitrate boosts plant growth, strong stems and branches. Calcium nitrate delays flowering and seed set. Some gardeners use it for that purpose, applying 1 to 3 gallons of calcium nitrate per acre per week during plant growth. Discontinue calcium nitrate before fruiting begins.
Preventing blossom-end rot
The best way to prevent your tomatoes from developing unappealing dark spots is to provide balanced nutrition and consistent watering. Amend your soil periodically with lime to increase pH and provide calcium. If you choose to apply fertilizer, use small amounts at a time to avoid an excess of nitrogen in the soil. Mulch plants to conserve water and reduce the risk of dry soil, watering only when necessary. Ideally, the soil should stay moist but not wet, to encourage appropriate uptake of calcium and phosphorus.
Calcium nitrate application
If your tomatoes have already developed blossom-end rot, you can provide more balanced nutrition using a foliar spray of calcium nitrate mixed with water. Combine 4 level tablespoons of calcium nitrate in 1 gallon of water and apply to the tomato leaves two to three times per week, starting when the second set of blossoms appears. The ideal application rate is 1 gallon of this solution for every 20 to 50 square feet of garden, notes International Ag Labs. You can also apply calcium nitrate as a side-dressing at a rate of 4 ounces for 7 to 10 feet of row. Mix the side dressing carefully into the first 1 inch of surface soil and avoid getting it on the leaves.
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