Blossom end rot

Thumbs · November 16, 2014

Second year trying to grow tomatoes in cocopeat in 45litre bags.
first year a disaster with slow growth, poor fruit set and blossom end rot.
turned out was poor advice re nutrients so have tried to address that this year.
using a slow release fertiliser + gypsum in the cocopeat and watering every couple of weeks with a potassium solution.
Fruit set has been way better than last year but BER is out of control. At a guess losing more than 50% of fruit to BER!
Also growth of fruits has seemingly stalled, so only getting small fruit.
Am guessing that the plants are still not getting enough calcium so have started using a calcium spray (calcium carbonate antacid tabs in solution - similar to TUMS) and this is certainly making the plats look better but not sure if it's helping the BER.
Feel that i need to be using a top dressing or liquid fertiliser to boost the plants.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
cheers
Jeff (Thumbs)

November 16, 2014	#1
Thumbs Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2014 Location: Queensland, Australia Posts: 4	Blossom end rot Second year trying to grow tomatoes in cocopeat in 45litre bags. first year a disaster with slow growth, poor fruit set and blossom end rot. turned out was poor advice re nutrients so have tried to address that this year. using a slow release fertiliser + gypsum in the cocopeat and watering every couple of weeks with a potassium solution. Fruit set has been way better than last year but BER is out of control. At a guess losing more than 50% of fruit to BER! Also growth of fruits has seemingly stalled, so only getting small fruit. Am guessing that the plants are still not getting enough calcium so have started using a calcium spray (calcium carbonate antacid tabs in solution - similar to TUMS) and this is certainly making the plats look better but not sure if it's helping the BER. Feel that i need to be using a top dressing or liquid fertiliser to boost the plants. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. cheers Jeff (Thumbs)