I've been growing courgettes this year and had a great start with about 6 or 7 delicious ones from my two plants. However, I've recently encountered a problem with blossom rot, and I haven't picked a decent courgette in weeks. I've tried some common solutions like using calcium fertilizer and coffee grounds for the last couple of weeks, but I'm still seeing those nasty wrinkly courgettes. It's hard to tell how much I should be applying and how long it takes to see results. Has anyone successfully dealt with blossom rot? If so, what worked for you?
4 Answers
Blossom end rot (BER) in tomatoes is often tied to inconsistent watering, which can be tough to manage given British weather and work schedules. I just trim off the ones with black ends and keep going. I wonder if it’s similar for courgettes?
I attempted to pollinate my courgettes with a paintbrush, but it was tricky with flowers not opening or getting messed up. I've found that courgettes should be easy to grow, but lately, mine don’t perform well either. After an initial good crop, the rest have all ended up with blossom rot, hinting at nutrient issues instead of pollination.
I’ve heard that putting antacid tablets in the soil can help prevent blossom rot. Might be worth a try!
I'm definitely willing to try anything at this point!
I've had a good experience with my courgettes this year! A tip I've found helpful is when the male flowers bloom, peel back the petals a bit so pollinators can access them more easily. But just keep in mind, blossom rot might not be directly tied to pollination issues.
I don't think blossom rot is really a pollination problem, unfortunately.
I've had no BER in my tomatoes this year, unlike last year when it was a problem. It’s frustrating to think about 'consistent watering' when I'm already watering every evening unless it rains.