We read an article that said bottom-rot is caused from not enough calcium in
the soil. We live in Colorado where summers are short and weather can change
any minute. Any ideas on how we can improve the calcium in our soil?

(JesseMerry) wrote in message ...
We read an article that said bottom-rot is caused from not enough calcium in
the soil. We live in Colorado where summers are short and weather can change
any minute. Any ideas on how we can improve the calcium in our soil?

In CO it is a lot less likely to have Ca deficiencies, more likely to
have irregular watering, also causing BER. Wood ash is an excellent
source of Ca, but any compost will also be a very good source.

In CO it is a lot less likely to have Ca deficiencies, more likely to
have irregular watering, also causing BER. Wood ash is an excellent
source of Ca, but any compost will also be a very good source.


I don't know the soils in Colorado, but BER is more often caused by stress.
This can be due to a lack of any of several nutients even by water deprivation
(drought). Some varieties (cultivars) are very prone to BER while others are
relatively unaffected. Check your soil pH. Most soils contain sufficient
calcium, but high acidity can impede the uptake into the plant. Ground
limestone (prefereably dolomite which also contains magnesium) is the best long
term solution. Crushed seashells, eggshells etc also are primarily calcium
carbonate and work the same . Wood ashes are a great source of potasium not
calcium but will quickly but temporarily raise the soil pH.

(FarmerDill) wrote in message ...

I don't know the soils in Colorado, but BER is more often caused by stress.
This can be due to a lack of any of several nutients even by water deprivation
(drought). Some varieties (cultivars) are very prone to BER while others are
relatively unaffected. Check your soil pH. Most soils contain sufficient
calcium, but high acidity can impede the uptake into the plant. Ground
limestone (prefereably dolomite which also contains magnesium) is the best long
term solution. Crushed seashells, eggshells etc also are primarily calcium
carbonate and work the same . Wood ashes are a great source of potasium not
calcium but will quickly but temporarily raise the soil pH.

actually wood ash is in all cases 30 to 50% Ca. In fact, Ca is the
most abundant nutrient in wood ash. All you have to do is a web search
to find out. that is one of the reasons why it is so good for
tomatoes, cabbage and lettuce amonst others. It has both (K-Ca), plus
it helps raise the pH.

On 03 Jan 2004 23:17:12 GMT, (JesseMerry) wrote:

We read an article that said bottom-rot is caused from not enough calcium in
the soil. We live in Colorado where summers are short and weather can change
any minute. Any ideas on how we can improve the calcium in our soil?

Google on "blossom end rot" for copious information. Look for .edu
sites indicating a university agricultural program. BER has a number
of "causes" and, fortunately, often appears only on early fruit and
straightens out by itself further into the season. BTW, it's a
*condition*, not a disease, so the fruits are edible if affected parts
are cut away, and compostable in any case.

Thanks for the many replies. We will look further into the situation and have
our soil tested. We appreciate your advice.