Blossom end rot and growbags

[caroline7758]

I know the answer will be "don't use growbags" but is there any way of monitoring how wet/dry the soil in growbags is, to avoid blossom end rot?

[caroline7758]

[Deb P]

Not at all technical, but I use bottomless pots on top of growbags and just stick my finger down the side of the pot to feel if its damp....I water once a day in the evening, check and damp down mid pm if I'm a day off. Not had any BER this year yet.. 

[realfood]

Use your finger to test how wet. I seldom see end rot. I use 2 plants for 60 l grow bag.

[fiona.kearn]

Blossom end rot is not just because of moisture, the main reason is calcium deficiency.

feed with a feed with a good trace element mix in and it shouldn't matter about the water (as long as its got some obviously)

Fi

[Deb P]

Blossom end rot is not just because of moisture, the main reason is calcium deficiency.

feed with a feed with a good trace element mix in and it shouldn't matter about the water (as long as its got some obviously)

Fi

........but the calcium deficiency is as a result of irregular or insufficient watering, so the watering is crucial, giving a supplement without sufficient watering will not help prevent BER I'm afraid...

[BarriedaleNick]

Yes - I always thought that BER was more of a transport issue than a nutrient issue..

[pigeonseed]

Yes it's definitely the watering. I had blossom end rot on one of my plants in a pot this year, and am being more conscientious with watering, so the rest of the fruits are fine. I think I would also use fingers to test soil moisture. But pots need doing most days anyway, even with moisture granules. I expect grow-bags hold in more moisture.

[Fork]

So many different views on this subject...some years I've had BER and many years not.

This year I grew tomatoes outside...no BER.

My mate grow 12 plants in his greenhouse....10 plants fine,but the other two decimated...all this despite watering at regular intervals and always the same amount.

[GREGME]

To avoid I don't grow plumb/paste varieties roma, san marzano which are more susceptible-I try to keep them regularly watered and if they dry out don't flood them- plants may get BER with the first fruit as the plant is still actively growing but later fruit usually safe.
Cherries don't get blossom end rot unless you are v unlucky.

I have had good success with grow-bags but they are just too much trouble to keep evenly watered for me - self watering pots or in the ground better.

good luck though and don't give up on tomatoes........

[caroline7758]

After the first lot of BER my toms have been fine, whether as a result of improved watering technique or just time, I'm not sure!

[pigeonseed]

That makes sense gregme, mine affected by BER were a paste type, and the cherries have been unaffected. So have the large salad types.