Tomatoes R.I.P.

**esbo** · 28-07-2013, 12:42 AM

that is what I am worried about!!

the blight seems to attack just as they start bearing fruit which is the worst time!!

maybe a tactical nuclear weapon will get rid of it!!!

**rustylady** · 28-07-2013, 05:36 AM

Underneath the tomato? Do you mean like this? Blossom end rot / Royal Horticultural Society

**Two_Sheds** · 28-07-2013, 07:01 AM

Originally posted by insy View Post

my old man tomatoes were looking soooo good, lots of fruit... just gone red

Blight makes the fruit go brown, not red. I don't think you have blight, I also think you're talking about blossom end rot.
Can you post a photo?

**insy** · 28-07-2013, 12:23 PM

Haha you are spot on

as the plant itself looks healthy no manky leaves etc just the bottom end rot on several fruits.

Hmmm could be the stress of greenhouse as its in full sun atm

we will be moving it to a shadier spot next year once workshop built.

**WendyC** · 28-07-2013, 12:26 PM

From my understanding, blossom end rot is due to erratic watering, i.e. too wet then too dry. Monty had it on GW on Friday.

**insy** · 28-07-2013, 12:33 PM

Yes this is problem we are having, the greenhouse is placed in the wrong area of garden completely and it gets to hot even with doors and windows open and to much sun. We water them and leave a little water in the bottom tray and sometimes can still dry out in less than a day.

We have a concrete base in corner of garden with a bit of foliage cover from ash tree, this is where the greenhouse will be going next year.

**Ger-annie-um** · 28-07-2013, 12:33 PM

Once you've got it (BER) can the tomatoes recover or is that it. I have it in a least 6 of my plants and despite taking the affected toms off the new fruits develops it too...............should I just give in and take the plants out, do you think

**rustylady** · 28-07-2013, 01:04 PM

Originally posted by Ger-annie-um View Post

Once you've got it (BER) can the tomatoes recover or is that it. I have it in a least 6 of my plants and despite taking the affected toms off the new fruits develops it too...............should I just give in and take the plants out, do you think

Take off the affected fruit and increase your watering.

**rustylady** · 28-07-2013, 01:05 PM

Originally posted by insy View Post

Yes this is problem we are having, the greenhouse is placed in the wrong area of garden completely and it gets to hot even with doors and windows open and to much sun. We water them and leave a little water in the bottom tray and sometimes can still dry out in less than a day.

We have a concrete base in corner of garden with a bit of foliage cover from ash tree, this is where the greenhouse will be going next year.

If you're only watering once a day then this is obviously not enough in this heat. Have you tried shading the glass? You can get white paint-on stuff (Coolglass I think) or drape green netting over the roof on the outside.

**insy** · 28-07-2013, 01:10 PM

I water them at least twice but between watering they can sometimes dry out still, everything else gets the sprinkler treatment cause its outside :P.

Once we reorganize the garden i think we are also thinking to set up some kind of irrigation/water system for garden and greenhouse on a timer

, depends how much it will cost to setup.

**Thelma Sanders** · 28-07-2013, 01:18 PM

Just shade the greenhouse as has been said - old net curtains or sheets will do the job!

How big are your pots? Perhaps they need to be bigger if twice daily watering isn't enough?

**rustylady** · 28-07-2013, 02:20 PM

Originally posted by insy View Post

I water them at least twice but between watering they can sometimes dry out still, everything else gets the sprinkler treatment cause its outside :P.

Once we reorganize the garden i think we are also thinking to set up some kind of irrigation/water system for garden and greenhouse on a timer

, depends how much it will cost to setup.

What a waste of water using a sprinkler. How big is your greenhouse? Mine is 8' x 6' - 7 tomato plants in Morrison flower buckets, and about a dozen chilli plants in large pots and I manage to do my watering by hand.

**Alison** · 28-07-2013, 02:38 PM

All our outdoor stuff has been subjected to a sprinkler today

didn't even have to turn the hose on though as it all came from the sky!

Seriously though, I find that dripper systems are very good in greenhouse / polytunnels, as are filling upturned, buried plastic bottles to let the water gradually seep down to the roots of the plant. That way you get very little water waste. I've set up systems in both my greenhouse and polytunnel, neither of which use electricity or mains water and are driven straight off water butts / IBCs. You're much better making your own system than buying an off the shelf one as you an get something that actually works for you. My greenhouse one benefited from some old components that my grandad was throwing out but I was on my own with the tunnel. Bought some cheapo seeper hose from Lidl (or similar) and the T pieces and splitters etc from ebay. Didn't cost much at all and the only expensive item was an entry level battery operated timer which has been worth it's weight in gold.

**Ger-annie-um** · 28-07-2013, 02:59 PM

Originally posted by rustylady View Post

Take off the affected fruit and increase your watering.

Thanks for the response, I have increased watering, 3 times a day (the toms are in BFB's) but it doesn't seem to be making any difference - I think the problem started by going on holiday and leaving daughter in charge of watering, she did her best but!!!!!

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