I’ve been growing a Roma and a Super Sweet 100 plant. I bought the SS100 from Home Depot and got the Roma from a friend. Admittedly, I haven’t been the best at watering them, but I do water them at least once a day, sometimes twice if I remember, because it’s been so hot. My cherry tomatoes are thriving, even though they’ve outgrown the tomato cage and are growing all over the place (poor planning on my part, lol).
However, my Roma plant is fruiting, but I’m experiencing about an 85% loss to blossom end rot (BER) despite regular watering and weekly fertilizing. Please help! I want to try again later on (I live in SoCal, so our tomato season is pretty much year-round).
Romas are the most overrated sauce tomato I’ve ever grown, and I’ve tried at least a dozen varieties. While they are meatier than regular tomatoes, they make ‘weak sauce’ in my opinion.
Both Romas and San Marzanos can be prone to blossom end rot (BER), but with regular watering, they should do fine.
For the best-tasting sauce, San Marzano Redorta is hands down the winner. Amish Paste also makes a great sauce with fewer problems.
Amish Paste is my absolute favorite tomato, hands down.
I’m growing these for the first time now. I’ve heard they’re fantastic for making salsa!
My plants have set an entire set of flowers that haven’t developed into fruit yet, and it’s been weeks. They’ve produced another round of flowers and are starting to show signs of possible magnesium/calcium deficiency. It’s been very cold here, though.
Have you tried using Cal-Mag? It’s supposed to help prevent blossom end rot (BER).
I have not! I should try that
Frequent watering can wash away nutrients. I recommend fertilizing with Cal-Mag, fish emulsion, and 1 tablespoon of molasses once a week. I also use FoxFarm Grow Big and Big Bloom weekly.
What benefits do molasses provide?
it feeds the bacteria in the soil to help the plant absorb nutrients. it can also make your produce sweeter and flavors pop.
Interesting. I’ve heard of putting molasses in compost tea before.
That works even better. ive gotton my tomatoes sweet as fruit using a tea. i didnt need to add sugar to the sauce. my honeydews and watermelons were sweet beyond belief.