Roma Tomatoes
#1
Help!!
I'm new to gardening, this is my first year. I live in MI, which had a wet year, so luckily everything grew really well. However, I just started harvesting my Roma tomatoes, and all of them (so far) have had black stuff in the center. The fruit looks fine on the outside, no marks or holes or anything, but when I cut them open they all have this cruddy spot in the middle. Is this some form of blossom end rot? And if so, why isn't the blossom end rotten looking?
Help!
I'm new to gardening, this is my first year. I live in MI, which had a wet year, so luckily everything grew really well. However, I just started harvesting my Roma tomatoes, and all of them (so far) have had black stuff in the center. The fruit looks fine on the outside, no marks or holes or anything, but when I cut them open they all have this cruddy spot in the middle. Is this some form of blossom end rot? And if so, why isn't the blossom end rotten looking?
Help!
#2
There are three things it could be - cultural, nutrient, or pathogen and it is not possible to diagnose from here as to the exact cause. It could be a pathogen which has entered the blossom end of the fruit but without being able to see it I can't say for sure.
Quite frankly, if we could see a list of what can go wrong with tomatoes and tomato plants we'd probably never grow them. It's just that home grown tomatoes are so yummy.
Since you are new to gardening your best bet is to call your local Cooperative Extension Service. They are in the government section of your phone book under county. The entry is usually begun with the initials of your state land grant college/university.
The Cooperative Extension Service has a program called Master Gardeners. These are experienced gardeners especially trained in your geographic area to assist gardeners. Master Gardeners have knowledge of your local soil, climate, common nutrient deficiencies and are especially helpful for new gardeners in diagnosing problems and recommending solutions or preventions. They also have access to the plant specialist extension agent if they do not know the answer.
Do give them a call. Since you are new to gardening I'd sure like to see you have a good experience.
Quite frankly, if we could see a list of what can go wrong with tomatoes and tomato plants we'd probably never grow them. It's just that home grown tomatoes are so yummy.
Since you are new to gardening your best bet is to call your local Cooperative Extension Service. They are in the government section of your phone book under county. The entry is usually begun with the initials of your state land grant college/university.
The Cooperative Extension Service has a program called Master Gardeners. These are experienced gardeners especially trained in your geographic area to assist gardeners. Master Gardeners have knowledge of your local soil, climate, common nutrient deficiencies and are especially helpful for new gardeners in diagnosing problems and recommending solutions or preventions. They also have access to the plant specialist extension agent if they do not know the answer.
Do give them a call. Since you are new to gardening I'd sure like to see you have a good experience.
#3
http://hbci.com/~wenonah/min-def/list.htm
http://plant-disease.orst.edu/index.htm
Try these links, they may be helpful
http://plant-disease.orst.edu/index.htm
Try these links, they may be helpful
#4
The two sites listed are two of those lists I mentioned for why a new gardener could panic at the site of them. Many of the items listed in any list of pathogen/nutrient problems will not necessarily occur in your geographic area or in your garden.
One of the sites is from England and the other from Oregon State University. The recommendations are based on a particular geographic area and may not be applicable in other areas.
Your soil and climate are quite different from those in England and Oregon. In fact, Oregon is like my state of Washington. We have a tremendous difference betwen Western Washington soil/climate and Eastern Washington soil/climate. West is acid soil and damp East is neutral to alkaline soil and bone dry without irrigation.
Having said that, as a retired commercial grower, I find such lists absolutely fascinating. As a new gardner do keep these sites in mind and check them out as gardening is a continual learning experience. You never know when you might need the information.
When the program first started I was a Master Gardener and the OSU site is the exact information I have here except mine is targeted to Western Washington where I lived at the time. Unfortunately, it does not transfer in total to your climate/soil. Do check out the sites but also do call your local Cooperative Extension Service office.
One of the sites is from England and the other from Oregon State University. The recommendations are based on a particular geographic area and may not be applicable in other areas.
Your soil and climate are quite different from those in England and Oregon. In fact, Oregon is like my state of Washington. We have a tremendous difference betwen Western Washington soil/climate and Eastern Washington soil/climate. West is acid soil and damp East is neutral to alkaline soil and bone dry without irrigation.
Having said that, as a retired commercial grower, I find such lists absolutely fascinating. As a new gardner do keep these sites in mind and check them out as gardening is a continual learning experience. You never know when you might need the information.
When the program first started I was a Master Gardener and the OSU site is the exact information I have here except mine is targeted to Western Washington where I lived at the time. Unfortunately, it does not transfer in total to your climate/soil. Do check out the sites but also do call your local Cooperative Extension Service office.