Zucchini blossom end rot

 

My zuccs have BER!  As I understand it the problem is due to deficiency of
calcium in the plant which can be brought about by uneven water availability
or lack of calcium in the soil.  Well my zuccs have not been watered
unevenly, they have neither been saturated not allowed to wilt and they are
well mulched. The soil has been amended with lime and gypsum.  They are
growing strongly with a multitude of flowers and fruit setting. One odd
thing is that normally this strikes on the fruit when they are quite small
but this time they are getting nearly to cutting size before it starts.  As
a short term thing I am cutting them early which makes for nice tasty fruit
but a small harvest.

Any ideas from experience?

Any references to a detailed explanation of how BER happens, in particular
how uneven watering results in a mineral problem?

David

 



<http://urbanext.illinois.edu/search/searchresults.cfm?cx
3441887324743
351507%3Afnavtnakbe4&q=blossom+end+rot&sa=Search&cof=FORID%3A11&siteurl=u
rbanext.illinois.edu%2Fhortanswers%2Fdefault.cfm>

 From above URL 4th hit down

 "When the soil moisture experiences wide swigs in moisture (wet to dry)
that is when the plant has a hard time picking up calcium. To prevent
this condition you need to water so soil moistures stay fairly constant
or better yet use some type of mulch over the bed to even out soil
moisture levels. This is the best way to prevent blossom end rot. "

Bill

--
Garden in shade zone 5 S Jersey USA

 


Could there be a problem with water penetration due to the mulch?  I know I
have to be quite careful of mulch on our low pressure, gravity fed, country
water supply and fluff the mulch every now and then or otherwise the
watering isnt' even.

 

FarmI wrote:

I don't think so, the zuccs and other stuff in that bed are growing quickly
and not wilting on hot days so I reckon the water is good.  But I will
insert the diagnostic finger more often to be sure. Thanks.

David

 


"David Hare-Scott" wrote in message


calcium in the plant which can be brought about by uneven water availability
or lack of calcium in the soil.".

Absent more specifics, I believe that is more SWAG than fact.

Consider the chemical distribution of Ca w/in the plant.
Most likely your plant's available calcium is being diverted from the fruit
& going to the leaves where it is needed more at that particular time, say
for transpiration.

Ca is not a mobile nutrient, i.e. going where it is best needed.  If BER
occurs when temps are high, try slowing the plant's transpiration rate to
get a better Ca distribution.  Note, even if you have adequate soil Ca, its
uptake can be limited by other factors such as listed in the Spectrum
Analytic article* below .  If BER is a constant problem, try the
preventive measure outlined in the ISHS abstract ** below.


I'm curious; did a soil analysis/test indicate you needed the lime and
gypsum  or is this just a gardening "best practice" method?

If you care to share; what type is your soil, pH, amendment regime,
fert/schedule, etc.?


Try these:

* http://www.spectrumanalytic.com/support/library/ff/Ca_Basics.htm

** http://www.actahort.org/members/showpdf?booknrarnr 5_23

http://www.springerlink.com/content/ww87lw2086rj3v71/

http://jxb.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/44/2/509

General reads on BER:
http://pubs.caes.uga.edu/caespubs/horticulture/blossom-rot.html

http://wihort.uwex.edu/fruitveggies/TomatoDisorders.htm