Blossom end rot on tomatoes is a common problem that gardeners often face.
This disease appears as dark, water-soaked spots on the top of the fruit and is caused by a lack of calcium in the plant.
The main causes include improper watering, poor soil quality and lack of essential micronutrients.
Signs and Symptoms of Blossom End Rot
The first symptoms of blossom-end rot can be detected already in the early stages of fruit ripening.
Small, watery spots form on the top of tomatoes, which become darker and larger over time. These spots cause the tissue to soften and make the fruit unfit for consumption.
How to Prevent Blossom End Rot
To prevent blossom end rot, it is important to follow a few simple rules.
First, it is necessary to maintain a constant level of moisture in the soil.
Regular watering will help to avoid drying out or over-watering, which will have a positive effect on the health of the plants.
Secondly, you should use fertilizers containing calcium. These can be special complex fertilizers or additives such as calcium nitrate.
Treatment of blossom-end rot: effective methods
If blossom end rot has already occurred, it is important to take steps to treat it.
First of all, you should immediately remove the affected fruits to prevent the spread of the disease. Next, you need to increase the calcium content in the soil. To do this, you can use a calcium nitrate solution, which is prepared at a rate of 1 tablespoon per 10 liters of water. Water the plants with this solution once a week until the symptoms disappear completely.
Proper care of tomatoes for prevention
Proper care of tomatoes includes regular watering, using fertilizers and maintaining good soil aeration.
For this purpose, you can use mulch, which will help retain moisture and prevent soil erosion. In addition, mulch helps improve the structure of the soil and increase its fertility.
The Importance of Regular Plant Inspection
Regular inspection of plants helps to identify problems in a timely manner and take necessary measures. Carefully monitor the condition of leaves and fruits, paying attention to any changes in their appearance.
At the first signs of blossom-end rot, take steps to eliminate it, which will preserve the harvest and the health of the plants.
Using folk remedies to combat blossom-end rot
Among the folk remedies for combating blossom-end rot, one can highlight the use of whey.
A solution of whey (1 liter per 10 liters of water) can be used to spray plants. The whey contains calcium and other useful substances that will help improve the condition of plants and prevent the development of disease.
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