Blossom end rot
is a calcium-deficiency disorder that affects members of the fruiting vegetable families of tomatoes, peppers, squash and melons. If you are a gardener, you are probably all too familiar with this vicious disorder that can render entire crops ruined. Blossom end rot affects the blossom end of the fruit. In the initial stages you will typically find a water-soaked looking lesion on the bottom of the fruit. Over time, as the fruit develops, so does the blossom end rot, and that small lesion could end up consuming from one-third to as much as half of the fruit. Blossom end rot is characterized by these lesions that are sunken, turn from tan to looking dark or decay-like, and feel leathery to the touch.
Blossom end rot is not a disease, parasite, or pest of any kind. It is merely a physiological disorder of the fruit and is caused by a calcium deficiency. Blossom end rot is quite often seen following extremes in soil moisture, either excessive wetness or drought. These extremes in soil moisture result in the deficiency of calcium to the fruit. Blossom end rot can also be seen in other conditions where soil calcium levels are naturally low or when the fruit's calcium level is low.
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