GS are being very evasive about the missing ingregient. They are now saying it was entirely the wrong product. An Aztec Gold product that they manufacture, the only one in the range of which (that I can see) that is granular being the Rootmagic one. They don't seem to say what's in that. They do say that the plant food that came with the kit I bought in March would not have been affected, and I am still using that. (Which probably explains my probelm. I have not been using enough of it i.e. not feeding them enough.) I have applied some calcium and will be feeding again with the (hopefully) correct Nutrigrow feed today or tomorrow. I have to say having to measure out two lots of two for each of the new tank design is a bit tiresome.
The only time I have suffered with BER is in the years with excessive heat @REMF33 We too have a watering system so consistent watering is not an issue. I do wonder about the compost having the right nutrients, as the companies seem to be pushing out inferior products in the last few years. What kind of calcium are you adding, as its too late for this year, but might be helpful in the future.
I don't think it is too late for this year @purplerallim - unless you have taken off all the non-fruiting trusses now. I still have lots of flowers, and small fruit which I am hoping will be ok. I applied some 'Chempak Calcium Multi-Action'. Only time will tell (and possibly not really even then, as this is not very scientific!) if it works. Various you tube videos suggest using garden lime. Curious that Epsom salts should work as they are magnesium sulphate, not calcium nitrate. I start feeding the plants from the point at which they start to flower, so what's in the compost (or not) shouldn't matter too too much from that stage? It is ok to eat tomatoes with BER - just cut it off. We know that BER is caused by insufficient calcium uptake and the primary cause of this is inconsistent watering, but I wonder if there are any studies regarding temperature (root or foliage) and calcium uptake.
Like you have grown toms for years @REMF33@Nanny Beach but it is only in recent years that BER has appeared. This is the worst year I have ever had, loosing at least one per truss. Did do Epson salts when it first appeared, as well as feeding weekly with Tom food after the first fruit set. Even given them a dose of seaweed feed last month, all to no avail, they are still appearing on the new trusses. I too have alot of fruiting left on the plants, but thought as it's late in the season the uptake would be too slow to help with such big plants. 🤔
There is no known scientific reason why Epsom salts should work... but sometimes things just do. I suppose. I am blaming the high temperatures. If I were you I would try applying calcium - the season may well be extended. On enever knows these days. I am much further south than you, but I was still picking outdoor tomatoes in the second half of September last year. Not sure if liquid seaweed feeds necdessarily contain calcium. Will have to check.
My end of season, because of the greenhouse, is October for the cherry types, end September for salad types, and beginning September for Roma . Usually. But I don't think most things will last past mid September as they have fruited very fast.
I too think it's the heat. Sorry if I already said this here ,but I know I did on another thread. When I did the RHS course, we were told plant metabolism shuts down in excess temperatures. No amount of water or feed can compensate entirely till the temperature is back below the mid 30C mark. Obviously some plants are better adapted than others.
That would explain @Allotment Boy that though everything in the greenhouse was watered the same the Sungold and Roma suffered BER, but the Sunchocola cherry didn't . Last year the Sungold was fine too.
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We too have a watering system so consistent watering is not an issue. I do wonder about the compost having the right nutrients, as the companies seem to be pushing out inferior products in the last few years. What kind of calcium are you adding, as its too late for this year, but might be helpful in the future.
Various you tube videos suggest using garden lime.
Curious that Epsom salts should work as they are magnesium sulphate, not calcium nitrate.
I start feeding the plants from the point at which they start to flower, so what's in the compost (or not) shouldn't matter too too much from that stage?
It is ok to eat tomatoes with BER - just cut it off.
We know that BER is caused by insufficient calcium uptake and the primary cause of this is inconsistent watering, but I wonder if there are any studies regarding temperature (root or foliage) and calcium uptake.
Did do Epson salts when it first appeared, as well as feeding weekly with Tom food after the first fruit set.
Even given them a dose of seaweed feed last month, all to no avail, they are still appearing on the new trusses.
I too have alot of fruiting left on the plants, but thought as it's late in the season the uptake would be too slow to help with such big plants. 🤔
This article lists the folllowing possible causes
http://www.tomatodirt.com/blossom-end-rot.html
If I were you I would try applying calcium - the season may well be extended. On enever knows these days.
I am much further south than you, but I was still picking outdoor tomatoes in the second half of September last year.
Not sure if liquid seaweed feeds necdessarily contain calcium. Will have to check.
When I did the RHS course, we were told plant metabolism shuts down in excess temperatures. No amount of water or feed can compensate entirely till the temperature is back below the mid 30C mark. Obviously some plants are better adapted than others.
Last year the Sungold was fine too.