Possible Solution To Tomato End Rot..

Question

I discovered that all my potted tomatoes that were near grey wood developed end rot from the black mildew in the old wood.. The plants that weren’t near old wood didn’t develop black rot on the bottoms.. Seems the rains and winds splash the black mildew spores onto tomatoes, and it takes hold at the bottom of tomatoes in the settling long lasting water drops.. Seems part of the solution to avoiding mildew rotted tomatoes is to paint all wood that’s near or in the garden, and don’t use bare wood sticks to stake tomatoes.. Do gardeners who don’t have old bare grey wood near nor in the garden notice their tomatoes and other susceptible plants don’t get end rot..? Are there any non-toxic natural anti-fungicides that can be wiped onto the bottoms of vegetables that are prone to black mildew end rot..?

Answer 1

This is one of two major causes of Blossom End Rot. The other major cause will be an imbalance of calcium and magnesium. Usually, a lack of one or the other.

Even with pathogens present, there is a simple fix to avoid infection. Adding calcium, or a mix of calcium and magnesium, will keep this from happening. Here are some articles that will help:

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/adding-lime-to-soil.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/tomato/tomato-blossom-rot.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/calcium-fertilizer.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/info/using-fungicides-in-garden.htm