MYTH:  EGGSHELLS AND ANTACID PREVENT BLOSSOM END ROT

MYTH BUSTERS SERIES

THE FACTS

Blossom end rot appears as a sunken, leathery, brown to black spot on the blossom side of a fruit in tomatoes, peppers, eggplants and some cucurbits.

BER is associated with a lack of sufficient calcium in developing fruit and conventional wisdom holds that calcium-rich amendments like EGGSHELLS and ANTACIDS (i.e. TUMS) can help prevent BER.

• Eggshells and antacid may help with BER if soil is lacking calcium, but most soils are not lacking calcium.
• A soil test is recommended to determine whether soil has a calcium deficiency.
• BER typically affects the earliest maturing fruit of the season and may be traced to EXCESSIVE SOIL MOISTURE or DROUGHT STRESS (especially fluctuations between too wet and too dry) or EXCESS FERTILIZATION, all which hinder the uptake of the calcium required for a plant’s health.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES

• Plant fruits in well-drained soil
• Maintain consistent levels of soil moisture (water deep)
• Mulch plants well
• Fertilize less

Source:
WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION
http://gardening.wsu.edu/blossom-end-rot-of-tomato-and-pepper/