It can be heartbreaking to discover a rotten spot on the bottom of tomatoes growing from otherwise healthy looking plants. Because the spot appears on end of the tomato where the blossom grew, this condition is known as blossom-end rot. Blossom-end rot on tomatoes is caused by environmental conditions, not bacteria, fungus or pests. For tomato plants grown in wheat-straw bales, as well as those grown anywhere else, good growing conditions and precautionary steps throughout the growing season prevent blossom-end rot.
Put the wheat-straw bales into position before planting the tomatoes. Ensure there is enough room between them for good airflow between the tomato plants. Soak the bales thoroughly with water. The bales heat up for about a week, then cool down again.
Treat each bale with a fertilizer designed for tomato plants after the bales cool down. Do not use a fertilizer with high numbers such as 14-14-21. The numbers indicate the percentages of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in the product. Too much of the first number, nitrogen, causes lush foliage but few tomatoes. Supplement the fertilizer with lime, gypsum or bone meal. This provides a balanced nutritional environment for the tomatoes. The calcium provided prevents blossom-end rot.
Plant tomato seedlings at least 18 inches apart, which amounts to two tomato seedlings in one 56-pound bale of wheat straw.
Water the tomato plants regularly or use a soaker hose or drip irrigation to keep the straw bale evenly moist at all times but not wet. Do not let the straw dry out between watering. Uneven or excess watering is the chief cause of blossom-end rot. Tomatoes grown in high humidity require less watering than those in drier environments. Do not water in the evening.
Things You Will Need
- Tomato fertilizer
- Lime, gypsum or bone meal
- Soaker hose or drip irrigation system
- When handling tomato seedlings, hold them by the seed leaves, not by the stem.
- Stake tomato plants with wooden or bamboo stakes for support.
- Pinch off the side shoots of the tomato plants when they are young to encourage vertical growth.
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