Bob Talks Tomatoes: Pruning, Care and Variety

Master Gardener Bob Orazi demonstrates how he cares for the tomato plants in his garden.

Blossom-End Rot

This physiologic disorder results from a lack of calcium in enlarging fruits. The fruit tissue disintegrates on the blossom or bottom end of the fruit leaving dark brown lesions that are sunken and leathery. During periods of rapid plant growth calcium is taken up and deposited in the expanding leaves. If there is insufficient calcium in the soil or if the plant cant take up calcium due to lack of water, the fruits will begin to show symptoms. Affected fruits should be immediately pulled and discarded because they use up nutrients and water.

Plants tend to grow out of the problem. Calcium chloride may be sprayed on affected plants but this will not reverse existing damage. You can reduce blossom-end rot by:

• Using calcitic or dolomitic lime in the fall to maintain a proper pH (6.3-6.8)

• Mixing in a handful of ground limestone with the soil from each planting hole in the spring

• Mulching your plants to conserve soil moisture

• Avoiding high nitrogen fertilizers

• Deep, regular watering; a mature, fruiting plant requires 1- 2 gals. of water twice a week during dry periods.

For more information on caring for tomato plants, check out the IPM (Integrated Pest Management) Fact Sheet on Tomatoes:
http://hgic.umd.edu/_media/documents/IPMSeriesTomatoesHG56pfv.pdf


This video is brought to you by the Home and Garden Information Center, part of University of Maryland Extension. Learn about our Grow It Eat It campaign, which provides resources and encourages people to start their own food gardens. http://www.growit.umd.edu/
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Shot and Edited by: Alix Watson and Emily Heimsoth

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[aityadeen123]

your plants suffer from Blossom end Rot. caused by Calcium deficiency , 

[SuperIndiecat]

Great advice and tips, thank you! I love the way you teach. :D

[letsgrowpasco]

i used top soil is that good?

[misskisskadee]

what kind of soil u use for your tomato plants ?

[aus2045]

Removing these suckers just reduces fruit production. I get 60 great fruit per plant, doing this takes it back to 30 fruit per plant

[SirHughJass]

Really great advice and nice to see exactly what a staked fully grown plant looks like. Off to work on the garden!