Blossom end rot?

[deltz]

Black marks are forming on 'some' on my san morzano tomatoes, do you think its BER? If so what should I do about it. Many Thanks!







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[selfraising]

It looks like it to me. I had some fruits affected on my black plum tomatoes. Have picked them off and binned them, just hoping the others don't develop it too.

[OllieMartin]

Ensure they do not become too dry, water regularly.

Blossom end rot - WikiGardener Wiki

[deltz]

Ah do I pick those off with the black spots? Or leave them on there?

[Bigmallly]

I have picked about half a dozen with BER & binned 'em.

[rogesse]

I'n glad I read this because the same is happening to one of my Orange Bananas and I was going to leave it! I'm a bit confused as to how it got it as none of the other toms in the greenhouse are affected and I thought I'd watered them all the same

[OllieMartin]

It has been very hot lately, and last year I often had some tomatoes on one truss affected and others not.
It's primarily a calcium problem, usually caused by infrequent or lack of water. It could also be a root problem and that the plant is unable to transport calcium from the soil properly, but given the hot wether I'd bet on the former.
Damages can't be repaired, and the plant should be fine with its usual feed and watering on a regular basis. However, you can give it a calcium feed, or even better; a calcium spray which will help if it is a root issue.

Personally, and without checking, I'd say it's probably one of the most common tomato troubles encountered. Especially when growing in growbags as they suggest planting 3 plants in them, but there's no way there's enough nutrient in the compost (which is often pretty poor quality) to support anything more than 2 plants.

After last year's efforts, I planted 2 plants into open-bottomed pots into a growbag and have so-far avoided BER. Time will tell though.

After the interest I have updated the wiki page: http://gardener.wikia.com/wiki/Calcium_deficiency

[jacob]

Some varieties seem to be more effected than others. I think San Marzano are particularly prone (at least the one year that i grew them). I also have problems with the supposedly easy moneymakers. Both appear to be particularly thirsty tomatoes.

[rustylady]

Definitely blossom end rot. Cause can be erratic watering. No point keeping the affected fruit. Pick them off and bin them.

[j r hilton]

I have the same trouble with my san morzano toms and they are watered exactly the same as my marmande toms growing at the side of them which have no faults what so ever. It may be that the san morzano need more water than marmande but I am not convinced. Only the smaller fruits have been affected with the larger ones ok. Its a mystery. I took off the toms with the BER cut off the ends and ate the remainder. Tasted alright so it seems the good part need not be thrown away.

[taff]

a handful of the first flush of fruits on my san marzanos were affected, a few on both green sausage plants, but since then, they don't seem to have got any more of it.

I think the shape is more prone for whatever reason, I haven't had any on the rouind/pearshaped/beefsteak fruits.

[womble]

I had such problems with SM and BER last year, that I decided not to grow them again and that was with them in the ground, not in pots.

But, you can let them ripen and cut the bad bits out, then use them for sauces, I did alot like that.

[deltz]

Ok many thanks guys, a great help!

[GriffR]

I have also had big problems with BER and San Marzano. I think I may simply avoid growing them from now on - but always good to know it is not just me !!

[taff]

Did anyone who a lot of problems with BER grow San Marzano as a cordon?