Tomatoes are a popular garden vegetable, but sometimes they develop blossom end rot, which can make you worried about eating them. This article will explain what blossom end rot is and how to treat it.
But first, I’m sure you are wondering if they’re safe to eat or not.
You can safely eat a tomato with blossom end rot as long as you remove the rot first. So next time you see a tomato with blossom end rot, don’t throw it away! Just cut off the bottom and enjoy the rest of the fruit.
[Related Article: How Long To Run Soaker Hose For Tomatoes]
What Is Blossom End Rot
Blossom end rot is the bane of many a gardener’s existence. This common problem is caused by a lack of calcium in the fruit, leading to the formation of pumpkin-shaped brown spots on the blossom end of the fruit.
While blossom end rot can be a nuisance, it is important to remember that it is not a disease and is therefore not contagious.
There are several steps that can be taken to prevent blossom end rot, including adding calcium to the soil and ensuring that the plants have adequate moisture.
In addition, gardeners can try to avoid overhead watering, which can lead to calcium leaching from the soil. With a little care and attention, blossom-end rot can be easily prevented.
How To Prevent Blossom End Rot
The first step in preventing blossom end rot is to identify the problem early. This can be tricky, because the symptoms (brown patches on fruit) can resemble sunscald or other problems.
However, if you suspect blossom end rot, there are a few things you can do to confirm your diagnosis. First, check the affected fruit for a small, water-soaked area at the blossom end.
Second, try gently squeezing the fruit. If it is soft and mushy, there is a good chance that blossom end rot is the culprit. Once you have confirmed that blossom end rot is the problem, there are a few steps you can take to prevent it from happening again.
First, make sure your plants are getting enough calcium. This can be done by adding crushed eggshells or bone meal to the soil around your plants.
Second, try to maintain even moisture levels in your garden. evenly watering your plants will help prevent drastic fluctuations in moisture levels that can trigger blossom end rot.
Finally, avoid using high-nitrogen fertilizers, as they can promote excessive growth at the expense of fruit production.
Should You Prune Tomatoes With Blossom End Rot
If you have tomatoes with blossom end rot on your plants, remove the damaged tomatoes—they’ll keep growing and use the plant’s energy, which is better put to use producing new rot-free fruit.
Prune away the affected tomatoes and any leaves that are touching the ground to improve air circulation and prevent further spread of the disease.
You should also make sure your plants are getting enough calcium by fertilizing with a product that contains calcium or spraying the leaves with a calcium solution.
Conclusion
To sum up, tomatoes that have been affected with blossom end rot are very safe to eat. But you should never eat the bottom end that has been affected.
However, if the damage is just too bad on the tomatoes, you may have to dispose of the whole tomato. So, be sure to cut off any brown or black parts before using them in your favorite recipes!
