!@* Blossom !@*! end rot!!!

[David]

Hi all,

As you may realise from the title the object of my disaffection paid me a very large visit last year and I'll do most anything to prevent a recurrence.

Could I ask for your hard won experiences on how to avoid this devil spawned affliction?

Thank you very much,

David

[sandersj89]

Keep it moist!

http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profiles07 ... nd_rot.asp

This is one reason why I rarely use grow bags in the traditional way and certainly do not over load them with plants.

Now I cut the bags in half and stand them on their ends and plant into them that way. Deeper root run and easy watering.

HTH

Jerry

[Piglet]

I dont use growbags at all but plant into the soil. This is partly changed every few years but kept in good order with plenty of home made compost. Cropping remains very good and as the soil is moisture retentive and the plants have no restrictions to their roots, blossom end rot isnt an issue for me.

[Ian F]

I agree about the perils of growbags, but have also seen examples of blossom end rot where Tomato plants have been planted in pots that were overfilled with compost, without leaving a rim for watering. The water just ran off, and when a plant was knocked out only the top half inch of compost was moist.

I empty growbags into florists buckets, and leave a rim of a good inch, so the water will be retained and drain through the compost.

[Anonymous]

yeah keep it moist and it should return to its original form

[Tigger]

I use double depth grow bags for my indoor plants and raised beds for the outdoor one. If you keep the watering regular and don't alternate between dry and soaking, you won't get blossom end blight.

[David]

I'm grateful as ever. If I should get it is there a procedure to save the plant and get back into fruit production. I kinda lost hope last year and it all went west............

D

[peterf]

yep i would steer clear of grow bags.much better to grow in big pots with a loam based compost.i think b e r is down to the fact that the plant cant take up its calcium needs due to lack of moisture available to the roots.a 3 times weekly spray with calcified seaweed (maxicrop) works for me also.in my opinion grow bags are just full of the rubbish that didn't make the grade as multi purpopse compost.then again has anyone tried focus new improved multi purpose,my beloved came back with a bale of it last week,on opening it up i was convinced it was a bale of bark chippings to go underneath the conifers, it even had lumps of shredded plant pots in it

[Tigger]

If your tomatoes do get it, remove them as soon as you spot it then water (and feed) the plant regularly. It won't strike all of the fruit unless you fail to maintain the moisture levels. Don't waste all of the tomato - cut it in half and use the top half if it's unaffected.

I'm not going to argue about the use of growbags Peterf - let's just agree to disagree.

[lizzie]

Yep, I plant in large pots leaving an inch for watering. I also sink a bottle onto the compost for watering straight to the roots. Feed with calcified seaweed once a week or when i remember and water as and when necessary.

I use grow bags but empty the soil into the pots. I also grow my marigolds in with the toms too.