Tomato Disease...

[BCB]

This is on all of my tomatoes in 3 gardens that I have...
 
The gardens are not even close to each other...
 
As a matter of fact, 1 garden is 12 miles from the others!...
 
I am spraying for all of the fuguses, viruses, blights, etc with a spray that is to handle them all...
 
What the heck is this stuff and is there something that will stop it?...
 
As soon as the tomato begins to ripen, this disease hits...
 
Any thoughts...
 
Thanks...BCB

[bilmac]

Is the black spot on the blossom end of the mater? If it is it looks like blossom end rot to me. There are several things that can cause it, I usually blame it on the plant suffering a dry spell sometime earlier in it's life. Usually I get on a few maters early in the season and then it clears up. I think another cause is supposed to be calcium deficiency, but I don't worry about that in our desert soils. Google blossom end rot and you'll find out more than you ever wanted to know.

If it is blossom end rot, I usually just cut the black off and eat it anyway, I can't resist the first tomatoes that show up.

[wtxbadger]

It may be blossom end rot. How often or regularly do you water?

[BCB]

The rot is on the bottom of the tomato. (Opposite if the stem)...
 
I give them a drink as they seem to need it...
 
No regularity at all...
 
If it rains and we get a sufficient amount, I don't water them until the look wilted or if it goes for a week or so without rain...
 
When we process them, I too just cut the bad part off and can or freeze...
 
Sure is annoying as probably 1/2 of the crop is lost...
 
Sometimes it appears to be less toward the end of the growing season...
 
Thanks for the replies...
 
BCB

[blakely]

Epsom salt, watered in, around the base of the plants got rid of my blossom end rot. The epsom salt actually stopped the rot that was already on some of my tomatoes.

[BCB]

Epsom salt, watered in, around the base of the plants got rid of my blossom end rot. The epsom salt actually stopped the rot that was already on some of my tomatoes.

I'll give it a try on a few experiemental plants...
 
Any idea as to what strength to mix it?...
 
Also, I wonder if planting tomatoes in black plastic could be the cause, or part of the cause?...
 
Thanks...BCB

[powderman]

My early tomatoes did that from too much spring rain, now they're ok. POWDERMAN. 

[longwinters]

Typically BER is from too much water.  When this happens the plant cannot absorb calcium and so there is BER. Also your soils may be too acidic.   Blakely is right with the use of Epsom salts.  It will also help bell peppers in the same way.  Some Epsom salts bags tell right on the back what amounts to use for different things etc...

Long

[blind ear]

Typically BER is from too much water.  When this happens the plant cannot absorb calcium and so there is BER. Also your soils may be too acidic.   Blakely is right with the use of Epsom salts.  It will also help bell peppers in the same way.  Some Epsom salts bags tell right on the back what amounts to use for different things etc...

Long

some people use ashes, I guess the acidity is why. ear

[charles p]

Apply gypsum (calcium carbonate), also called land plaster.

[gypsyman]

My green pepper plants are looking bad. The leaves were wilted and some had some brown on them. I remember my next door neighbor telling me about using epsom salts, so I gave it a try. Put it on yesterday, today, no better, no worse. When I talked with the neighbor, I mentioned that I mixed about 1/2 cup salt to a gallon of water. He said that was way to much, and I might burn out the plants. I'll give it a couple days, and report back. gypsyman