Problems
Blossom end rot
Identify Blossom end rot: symptoms, possible causes, prevention, and practical actions for 2 affected plants. Dark, sunken
Editorial diagnosis
Diagnosis overview
Blossom-end rot appears as a dark, sunken patch at the blossom end of fruit. It is usually not infectious but linked to disturbed calcium supply in the fruit. Triggers include irregular water uptake, root stress, or vigorous growth.
In gardens, Blossom end rot can occur on plants including Eggplant, Acorn Squash. In the available profiles, it is linked mainly with Cucurbits, Fruit vegetables.
Its importance depends on how quickly it spreads and whether seedlings, shoot tips, flowers, or fruit are affected.
Check whether individual plants, one bed area, or the whole crop is affected. Onset after frost, heat, transplanting, heavy watering, or a recent care step often provides the strongest clue. Compare an unaffected plant in the same location and observe for two or three days whether the pattern changes without another intervention.
A common mistake is to assess only the plant's current appearance. Weather history, watering, site conditions, and recent care also matter.
At a glance
Plants
2
Category
Cucurbits, Fruit vegetables
Typical signs
- Dark, sunken
- A physiological disorder caused by calcium deficiency in the fruit, often exacerbated by inconsistent watering or rapid growth.
- Blossom end rot manifests as brown, sunken spots at the blossom end of fruits. It is caused by calcium deficiency or uneven water supply.
Possible confusion
- Similar stress damage: Check soil moisture, recent weather, and affected plant parts. The overall pattern matters more than one symptom.
- Diseases: Diseases more often show spots, coatings, rot, or progressive spread.
- Nutrient deficiency: Deficiencies often follow typical leaf patterns and are not always directly linked to weather events.
Immediate actions
- Narrow down the cause using soil moisture, weather, and affected plant parts
- Remove badly damaged or rotting tissue
- Stabilise water and site conditions
- Check roots, drainage, and pot size in containers
- Watch for further spread or recurrence
Prevention
- Choose suitable season and site
- Maintain even watering
- Keep enough spacing and airflow
- Improve soil structure long term
- Check regularly before damage becomes severe
Affected plants
Guides
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FAQ
Can a plant recover from blossom-end rot?
Mild damage often grows out once the cause is corrected. Badly damaged leaves, fruit, or roots usually remain visibly affected.
Should I fertilise immediately?
Not automatically. Many problems are caused by water, weather, roots, or site conditions. Identify the likely cause first.
When should plant parts be removed?
Remove rotting, badly damaged, or disease-promoting tissue. With pure stress damage, some leaves may still provide shade and should not always be removed immediately.