Why do many fruit have a blackish area on the bottom?
Blossom-end rot (BER) is probably the most common physiological disorder in tomatoes (greenhouse, field, or home garden). It appears as a dry (not mushy) dark brown or black area, usually at or near the bottom of the fruit. It is not a disease. While BER is caused by lack of adequate calcium in the fruit, the culprit is often lack of water. Without a steady stream of water, the plants have difficulty getting enough calcium into the fruit, resulting in BER. Incidentally, BER can sometimes occur on the side of fruit, and occasionally only on the inside of fruit without even showing signs of it on the outside. So, be sure plants are getting enough calcium and don't let plants wilt.
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RAYMOND, Miss. -- Current and prospective greenhouse vegetable growers can learn about the specialized production method during Mississippi State University’s 2024 Greenhouse Vegetable Short Course on Feb. 27-28. The course will be held at the North Mississippi Research and Extension Center’s Magnolia Building in Verona from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. It is open to greenhouse vegetable producers throughout the Southeast.
STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Vegetable growers soon will have two chances to learn about managing pests on produce in greenhouses and high tunnels.
There’s nothing more satisfying than homegrown tomatoes. You don’t have to be a gardening expert to grow delicious tomatoes in your backyard. Here are a few tips that will help you grow the best looking (and tasting) tomatoes out there: