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[EarthNSky <erthnsky AT bellsouth.net>]

Sorry, I got 'send happy'.

Leslie wrote:

> THE UGLY
>
> I threw Roma tomato seeds in the ground right next to the 4 purchased
> plants.  Those also grew, have lots of thick foliage (no yellow
> leaves, no spots, no tan, nothing - the plants look very healthy) and
> the first of the tomatos are starting to ripen.  This is on the same
> timed irrigation line as the other Romas.  I haven't used any
> chemicals, and the only fertilizer was well composted horse manure
> that I worked into the ground last year.


> 1.  What causes the blackend /browed distal end?

Blossom end rot.  Sometimes, the first tomatoes will have this and the 
later ones will be fine.  The blossom, instead of falling off as the 
tomato grows, clings onto and eventually rots the fruit.  It can affect 
peppers and squashes, too.  It is caused by low calcium in the soil(or 
sometimes the calcium levels are okay, but it is locked up and not 
bioavailable).  Liming will help.  Also, certain fertilizers high in 
ammonium ions(NH4) will bind the soil calcium, so the horse manure is 
probably a contributing factor.  I would not change the manure, but just 
add lime for next year, if it were me.  Save your eggshells and compost 
them-they will also add calcium.  Increase phosphorus levels, too, that 
also affects the bloom set.  If you could find some chicken manure to 
compost with the horse manure, that would help balance it.  Rabbit poop 
is also pretty good.

Other factors that affect BER is planting too early, which I don't think 
is applicable to you since you are in a warm desert, and inconsistent 
water, which I wouldn't think would be a factor cuz you have it on a timer.

> 2.  Can I can the good part of the tomato after cutting off the end?

If the rot doesn't extend to the tomato's core, sure.  I do.

> 3.  If this is some kind of virus or disease do I need to remove the
> affected plant(s).
>
> 4.  If 3 is a yes........ is this something that will affect the
> seeds in the Walmart plants (since I want to save seeds for next
> year).

Blossom end rot is not contagious.  No need to remove the plants, and if 
 you fix the soil, the problem should not occur again.  However, it may 
take some tweaking every year.

Bev

--
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EarthNSky Farm, NW Georgia, USA