Sasha CampbellAs gardeners, we know how disappointing it is to find a tomato fruit with blossom-end rot. This disorder can also affect peppers, watermelons, eggplants, and squash.
Blossom-end rot occurs when developing fruits do not receive enough calcium, even when adequate calcium may be present in the soil [1].
Various factors can prevent developing fruits from receiving enough calcium. These include uneven watering, improper soil pH, and root damage.
However, much can be done to prevent blossom end rot.
How to Stop Blossom End Rot Naturally
Preventing blossom-end rot starts with helping plants absorb calcium properly. Consistent watering, healthy roots, and balanced soil conditions all play an important role.
1. Remove Affected Fruits
One of the first signs of this physiological disorder is that the bottom of the fruits displays water-soaked, light-brown spots.
The first step in treating blossom end rot is to remove the affected fruits. Removing affected fruits allows the plant to focus its resources on healthy developing fruits.
2. Water Plants Properly
Successfully combating blossom end rot is about balance. Too wet or too dry conditions can both cause problems.
So, with water, it should be just enough to keep the soil evenly moist.
Water deeply as needed to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. You can also dig trenches around outdoor plants for drainage during heavy rainfall.
Also, a period of hot weather may mean the soil is too hot and dry. Plants can also suffer heat stress if grown in a greenhouse without proper shade or temperature control.
Greenhouse plants can benefit from self-watering containers or timed water-dispensing devices.
3. Use Mulch to Retain Soil Moisture
Prevent blossom end rot in tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, and other vegetables by keeping the soil consistently moist. You can do this by applying mulch around the base of the plants.
Organic mulches, like straw, hay, newspaper, and grass clippings, conserve soil moisture. They also help moderate soil temperature and suppress weeds effectively.
4. Check the Soil pH Regularly
Most plants thrive in soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0, and tomatoes benefit from a pH of 6.2 to 6.8 [2]. So, it is best to test the soil regularly, as the right pH level is needed for calcium uptake.
You can easily buy a pH soil tester online or at your local garden store. Alternatively, take soil samples to your local extension office for testing.
Thereafter, monitor soil pH periodically and make adjustments with suitable amendments if needed.
5. Avoid Using Nitrogen-Heavy Fertilizers
Excessive nitrogen fertilization can promote rapid leafy growth. This quick growth may increase competition for calcium, which can lead to blossom-end rot.
To fix the problem, avoid using high-nitrogen fertilizers on fruiting crops. They can upset the balance of calcium and other nutrients in the soil.
6. Add Calcium to the Soil
Adding calcium in some form to the soil can also help prevent blossom-end rot. The best time to do this is before planting the crops.
Plants that don’t take up enough calcium can also show other unhealthy signs. These include wilting, blackened leaf tips, paling of young leaves, and stunted growth.
Various commercial products are available to increase soil calcium levels. However, crushed eggshells are a natural home remedy you can try.
Ag lime and gypsum are also traditionally added to the soil to help increase its calcium levels.
Note: Adding calcium is most helpful when a soil test confirms a deficiency.
7. Bone Meal
Bone meal can contribute calcium to the soil over time. However, it is not a quick fix for existing blossom-end rot problems.
Add the required amount to the soil before planting young plants.
Follow the package instructions: mix in 1 to 2 tablespoons per gallon of soil for new plantings.
8. Bonide Rot-Stop
This is an organic blossom-end rot spray for tomatoes and other crops, such as cucumbers, peppers, and melons.
Bonide Rot-Stop provides additional calcium in a ready-to-use foliar spray. However, it is most effective when used at the first signs of blossom-end rot or as a preventative treatment on susceptible crops.
Additionally, use this treatment in the evening or early morning to avoid leaf burn.
9. Milk
Milk contains calcium and is a popular home remedy among gardeners. However, there is limited scientific evidence showing that it effectively prevents or cures blossom-end rot.
If you wish to try this home remedy, use powdered milk for blossom-end rot. Gently fork it around the base of the plants and water it in. The recommended amount is 1/4 to 1/2 cup of powdered milk per plant.
You can also make a spray with fresh milk by diluting it in water at a 1:2 ratio. Use the solution to spray the plant leaves.
Water your plants regularly after the milk treatment.
Will Epsom Salt Help?
Epsom salt is often used by gardeners to boost tomato growth and help start seedlings. It also helps reduce transplant shock and prevent leaf yellowing, among other benefits.
But should you use Epsom salt as a home remedy for tomato blossom-end rot? The answer is no.
Experts state that Epsom salt will not cure or prevent blossom-end rot, but instead promotes it by adding magnesium to the soil.
The more magnesium the soil contains, the less calcium plants absorb [3]. Epsom salt, therefore, increases the chances of blossom-end rot showing up.
Container-Grown Plants Are More Susceptible
Tomatoes and peppers grown in containers are more prone to blossom-end rot. This is because potting mix dries out faster than garden soil, making it harder to maintain moisture levels.
Check containers daily during hot weather and water whenever the top inch of soil begins to dry.
Takeaway
Using these natural methods can help reduce the risk of blossom-end rot and encourage a healthier harvest.
However, you can still eat tomatoes with blossom-end rot. Just cut off the bottom if it is turning brown or black.
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