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[EarthNSky <erthnsky AT bellsouth.net>]

When I plant my tomatoes to the ground, they have already been
transplanted at least twice, making the outdoor planting transplant #3.
This increases the root zone and helps the plant obtain water and
nutrients from a larger area of soil.  When I transplant, I bury the
plant leaving only the top 4-6 inches above the soil.  I dig a huge
hole, usually a foot to 18" deep and at least a foot wide.  I make up a
planting mix that contains some or all of the following depending on
what I have on hand: Tums, Epsom Salts, Kelp, Bone Meal, and Alfalfa in
the form of rabbit food.  If I have organic fertilizer, I add that,
rabbit poop and whatnot, and I just add some of my mix to the soil in
the hole and mix it up, then transplant and water it in well.  Epsom
Salts, which is magnesium sulfate, will help prevent blossom end rot,
too. It makes it easier for the plant to uptake phosphorus, and also
helps prevent severe transplant shock.  I'm guessing that each plant
gets about 2 Tablespoons of it.  Leslie, to help the plants you have
now, you can also mix up epsom salts with water, about 1-2 TBSP per
gallon, and drench the affected plants.  It is a good thing, and cheap.
I guess I should say that you should really look at your soil test.  If
your soil is high in magnesium already, use pelletized calcitic lime
instead of dolomitic lime.  My acid soil is low in magnesium(my tomato
leaves curl and turn yellow as they age), so adding the epsom salts
works for me.  If your soil is alkaline, all bets are off, double think
it and YMMV.  Have you had your soil tested?

Bev

Lynda wrote:
> Blossom end rot.  Get some Tums, crush them up and water them into 
> the soil. Your tomatoes need calcium.
>
> Lynda The press corp is fact-adverse but very fable friendly.
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Leslie" <cayadopi AT yahoo.com>
>
> But when I brought the tomatoes inside, on the end of the tomato 
> (opposite end to where it attaches to the plant).......... it is 
> brown to black. The whole end of the tomato is useless, but the rest 
> of the tomato is fine. I ate the other half and my taste test is no 
> indicator, but it tasted fine.
>
> 1. What causes the blackend /browed distal end?
>
> 2. Can I can the good part of the tomato after cutting off the end?
>
> 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).
>
> Any help appreciated.
>
> I haven't been able to find a pic on the internet yet that matches 
> what I'm seeing.
>
>
>
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EarthNSky Farm, NW Georgia, USA