This season I have invested in a Quadgrow. It’s brilliant. I also got the lids because they help to support the growing canes. With this system in the height of summer and with luxuriant foliage the pots only need watering about every five days. I pour in two watering cans’ worth at a time, on alternate waterings including the fertiliser that comes with the system.
A wick transfers moisture to the growing medium so the soil is permanently just on the damp side of dry. The tomatoes are growing well and there is no evidence of blossom end rot, or any other malady.
I have been experimenting with Air Pots this year (air root pruning pots) and won't be repeating this with tomato plants. It's been really hard to keep the plants hydrated, not helped by the fact that the water comes out of the holes. (Giving the benefit of the doubt, this might be down the the truely sh***y compost I have bought this year - no choice, initally in lockdown, but even now, normally ok brands seem rubbish. And expensive.) So... as a consequence, I have blossom end rot in the fruits of these two plants. Should I give up on them, or if I manage to maintain adequate water levels from now (I thought I could put the pots in crates and put water in the bottom. Tomato plants don't seem to mind have wet roots.) will future fruit be ok? Of course not much 'future' left as we are coming into autumn (They are outside.)
It's inconsistent watering that mostly causes the problem as it prevents proper uptake of calcium, especially to the fruit furthest away. Tomatoes shouldn't be sitting in permanently damp soil. They're mostly better in slightly drier conditions before watering again. If outside, it's why the growing conditions need to be good in terms of drainage.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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A wick transfers moisture to the growing medium so the soil is permanently just on the damp side of dry. The tomatoes are growing well and there is no evidence of blossom end rot, or any other malady.
So... as a consequence, I have blossom end rot in the fruits of these two plants.
Should I give up on them, or if I manage to maintain adequate water levels from now (I thought I could put the pots in crates and put water in the bottom. Tomato plants don't seem to mind have wet roots.) will future fruit be ok? Of course not much 'future' left as we are coming into autumn
Tomatoes shouldn't be sitting in permanently damp soil. They're mostly better in slightly drier conditions before watering again. If outside, it's why the growing conditions need to be good in terms of drainage.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...