Revisiting BER

[JB]

Hi,
I'm in No Virginia, zone 7.  I've had EBs for about 7-8 years, then a break for 5 and now I'm back. This year, I have more BER than I've ever seen on my plants before AND I diligently gave them the "snack" 1x week pretty much from when they were 2 feet tall and just as blossoms were starting. Now I know that's not a given... but I was hopeful...

First, is it too late to do anything? I have 9 healthy plants with lots and lots of green tomatoes on them. Some look fine so far (e.g., it's been a mix of BER and non-BER on the same plant). One or two rotted before even blushing. I think that was the Brandywine. It seems to me this late in the season, I just need to live with it/cut the bad ones off.  If it's not too late, what do I do? is this when I add a certain kind of lime one time?

Second, the cause? Here in VA it's been pretty hot and humid. Also this year I got off to a slightly late start, planting in end-May instead of mid-May. I'm also using varieties that I didn't use in the past, namely Early Girl, Big Boy, and Celebrity. (Also trying Mortgage Lifter and Brandywine, but they're behind).  In the past I used Jersey Boy. I suppose it could be due to all three???

Thanks,
JB

[gardendoc]

It could be the late start or different varieties have differing susceptibility to BER. Did you restart with new growing mix. Many times even with amending pre-plant with 2 cups dolomite, new mix will cause BER the first season tomato growing as the Ca has not been fully distributed

[JB]

Yes, restarted with new mix, new dolomite, new fertilizer 

Should I keep up with the snack, or is it past time for that? Anything else I should try. My experience has been that if I see it, it's usually the first few tomatoes at the beginning and then it gets better. This time it seems to be continuing longer.

Thanks!

[ajcarbo]

In addition to the recommended Calcium Nitrate "snack" for the BER, I sprayed Bonide foliar Rot Stop on the leaves every 7-10 days and drastically reduced the BER issue with tomatoes. 

We're in "tropical"  Southern Maryland and the tomatoes are holding up better this year than in many previous years. I've been using EarthBoxes since the late 1990's, and still have five of the original design boxes in operation. I did buy two new trellis systems this year. Used one for tomatoes, other for early butternut squash. 

Good luck.

[gardendoc]

One thing about the Rot Stop spray on leaves. The calcium chloride stays in the leaves where it's sprayed and is not translocated to the fruit. The only way calcium moves thru the plant is from absorption in the roots.