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?
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..
Use your finger to test how wet. I seldom see end rot. I use 2 plants for 60 l grow bag.
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
Quote from: fiona.kearn on August 26, 2013, 09:15:53
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...
Yes - I always thought that BER was more of a transport issue than a nutrient issue..
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.
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.
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........
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!
That makes sense gregme, mine affected by BER were a paste type, and the cherries have been unaffected. So have the large salad types.