Content
- Tomatoes turn black - swift action is needed now
- Damage is largely unraveled
- Correct calcium deficiency correctly
- Effectively prevent bloom end rot
- Tips & Tricks
Tomatoes turn black - swift action is needed now
The image of the damage has long been a mystery to scientists. So far, it's clear - if tomatoes turn black, neither a pest nor an infection is behind it. We explain what it is and what to do.
Damage is largely unraveled
The self-bred tomatoes can also get into trouble without being attacked by pests, fungi or bacteria. When these three causes were ruled out, researchers discovered a lack of calcium in black-stained tomatoes. This symptom brought to light a metabolic disease.
For some unknown reason, the tomato plant is no longer able to transport the abundant calcium in the soil to the fruits. Here, this mineral is urgently needed as a building material for the maturity of the tomatoes. Finally, the lack of calcium causes first the flowers and then the tomatoes turn black. The bloom end rot has struck.
Correct calcium deficiency correctly
For a tomato plant to optimize the absorption of calcium, various approaches are available. In the first step, check the pH of the soil. Acidic soil is mostly limestone deficient, which causes a shortage of calcium. Use a simple test set from the Garden Center to check the value. If it is below 5.5, the soil is limed with:
Avoid overdosing. Give the lime gradually and check the pH again. A value of 6 to 7 must not be exceeded because from 8 the soil tips over into the equally harmful alkaline area. In this case, the tomatoes are no longer black, but they nevertheless fall into an equally undesirable growth depression.
Effectively prevent bloom end rot
So that your tomatoes do not get black at all, we recommend the following prophylactic measures:
Tips & Tricks
As a first aid measure in case of infestation by the bloom end rot, dissolve 30 grams of calcium nitrate in 10 liters of water. With this solution, you repeatedly water the diseased tomato plant. Alternatively, administer an immediately effective calcium-containing foliar fertilizer.