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My first year of using heirloom tomatos (several varieties) and I am having a major problem with mold. The bottoms of the tomatos are all turning black. They are not close to the ground, all are staked. Never had this problem before. Do heirloom tomatos require anti fungal spraying or other special care? I use organic fertilizer, nothing more. thanks
As the article says, blossom end rot is a common problem in all kinds of tomatoes.
I have grown heirloom tomatoes several times in different locations. They failed both times. I'm not messing with them anymore.
Guess that's why there are so many varieties of hybrid tomatoes. Try a different variety next year. Something recommended for your area.
Agreed, most any good garden center can sell you a spray to put on the flowers and buds, it's calcium and blossom end rot is a symptom of calcium deficiency..
I tried the Brandywine tomatoes last year and they didn't really do much. They also fell to wilt. Maybe its the weather but heirlooms aren't as hardy or as productive as others. I think this year the on and off again heat messed with out early girl tomato plant and it didn't produce. We have Big Beef and Fantastic next to it that are doing really well size wise and production wise although I didn't find the taste of them to be truly exceptional. I'm hoping the Beefmaster is the best tasting of the bunch.
If it gets really hot the blossoms don't set so we may have a shortened season this year.
thanks for all the feedback. And yes I have found that the taste of the heirlooms does not seem to be all that different from the standard tomatoes I usually grow. Sort of disappointing. Will try the calcium though.
Heirlooms will do ok but there are reasons why they've been replaced with hybrids, and you've discovered a few of them. I happen to like the flavor better, I've found many are a bit more acidic which I like.
Also, and I may get hammered here, many of the heirloom varieties are determinate, they set and ripen fruit at about the same time and the plant then dies. That makes harvesting for canning, one huge harvest over a few days, easier.
I tried the Brandywine tomatoes last year and they didn't really do much. They also fell to wilt. Maybe its the weather but heirlooms aren't as hardy or as productive as others. I think this year the on and off again heat messed with out early girl tomato plant and it didn't produce. We have Big Beef and Fantastic next to it that are doing really well size wise and production wise although I didn't find the taste of them to be truly exceptional. I'm hoping the Beefmaster is the best tasting of the bunch.
If it gets really hot the blossoms don't set so we may have a shortened season this year.
Have you tried the Cherokee Purple variety yet? Last year I had one plant, this year I had a dozen, next year it will be at least two dozen. It makes the best tomato sandwich of any variety I have tried, they are delicious!
Heirlooms will do ok but there are reasons why they've been replaced with hybrids, and you've discovered a few of them. I happen to like the flavor better, I've found many are a bit more acidic which I like.
Also, and I may get hammered here, many of the heirloom varieties are determinate, they set and ripen fruit at about the same time and the plant then dies. That makes harvesting for canning, one huge harvest over a few days, easier.
I have 3 Black Krim and they are indeterminate, they have been producing slowly. I sure like the flavor but I think I will need to plant more of them if I want to can some.
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