calcium source for tomatoes

retired member 2 5/15/2011, 7:26 pm

I have a lot of trouble with blossum end rot on my tomatoes in my row garden. I have heard that it is a calcium shortage. I have tried the spryas for this problem with so-so results. All my plants are planted in the row garden. Is their anything I can scratch into the soil to counter this problem?

I am really anxious to see how my tomatoes do in the MM in my SFG beds. I am hoping I don't have this problem in them.

**camprn** 5/15/2011, 7:48 pm

clb58 wrote:I have a lot of trouble with blossum end rot on my tomatoes in my row garden. I have heard that it is a calcium shortage. I have tried the spryas for this problem with so-so results. All my plants are planted in the row garden. Is their anything I can scratch into the soil to counter this problem?

I am really anxious to see how my tomatoes do in the MM in my SFG beds. I am hoping I don't have this problem in them.

Powdered milk! and maybe a little bit of epsom salts scratched in around the base of the plant will help. regular watering will help too. Good luck! What a Face

Tril 5/15/2011, 7:51 pm

It seems that bone meal should be high in calcium... or even limestone... or gypsum. Not sure if gardeners use these, but those are sources of calcium.

**camprn** 5/15/2011, 7:57 pm

Tril wrote:It seems that bone meal should be high in calcium... or even limestone... or gypsum. Not sure if gardeners use these, but those are sources of calcium.

Yup. I usually put a bit of bone meal, powder milk and epsom salts into the hole when I am transplanting my tomatoes and eggplants. I think the gypsum and lime alter the pH of the soil somewhat.

sherryeo 5/15/2011, 9:39 pm

camprn,

How would you apply the powdered milk as a calcium boost once you have tomatoes coming on - would you just sprinkle it around the roots of the plant or would you mix it with water and spray the plant with it? I've always had blossom end rot problems, too, and want to try to avoid it this time! I have baby tomatoes coming on fast and furious and want to take care of them!!! I didn't put any calcium or epsom salts in the MM when planting the tomatoes, but have been adding epsom salts about once a week around the bottom of the plants. I've been keeping them nicely pruned, as per instructions of other sfgardener's advice here on the forum. I'm so excited to have tomatoes! calcium source for tomatoes 832433

**camprn** 5/15/2011, 9:46 pm

sherryeo wrote:camprn,

How would you apply the powdered milk as a calcium boost once you have tomatoes coming on - would you just sprinkle it around the roots of the plant or would you mix it with water and spray the plant with it? I've always had blossom end rot problems, too, and want to try to avoid it this time! I have baby tomatoes coming on fast and furious and want to take care of them!!! I didn't put any calcium or epsom salts in the MM when planting the tomatoes, but have been adding epsom salts about once a week around the bottom of the plants. I've been keeping them nicely pruned, as per instructions of other sfgardener's advice here on the forum. I'm so excited to have tomatoes!

I just pour a handful of the powdered milk into my hand and sprinkle it around the base of the plants, scratch it in a bit and water. I have had mild BUR symptoms on the first fruit but none after. this has worked well for me. If I may suggest, epsom salts every several weeks will do, if you need it. What a Face

sherryeo 5/15/2011, 10:14 pm

Thanks much, camprn, for the quick and helpful reply. Of course you can suggest anything you think will help and I'm grateful for the suggestion! I've actually only put about a tablespoon of epsom salts per plant twice - once about a week ago when I saw the first baby tomato and then again yesterday, so hopefully I haven't put so much that it would be harmful. I'll slack off a bit on the frequency. I guess you'd add the powdered milk only every few weeks, if it seems to be needed, too? calcium source for tomatoes 109486

shannon1 5/16/2011, 2:34 am

You can also add the crushed shell of a egg when planting in future, just be sure to wash the egg out of the inside it first. Wink

nancy 5/16/2011, 9:08 am

+1 Shannon

I made egg salad for dinner last night and saved the shells to put in the soil when I plant my tomatoes.

shannon1 5/17/2011, 12:02 am

That's great they will slowly releas cal. the whole time it's growing.

**donnainzone5** 5/17/2011, 10:56 am

I dissolve a few of my calcium/magnesium tablets in water (they also contain trace amounts of zinc and copper), then water my tomatoes. Cheap, and it works like a charm!

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calcium source for tomatoes