rotten tomatoes

I have patio tomatoe plants and they are rotting on the bottoms of the tomatoes. I thought they were getting to much water but the soil is bone dry and leaves are wilting. I was told to put Epsom salt in the dirt. I am afraid the salt will kill my plants. Anyone have any ideas?
They are rotting before they rippen. I am getting very discouraged.
Thanks for any advice.

Sounds like Blossom End Rot (BER). Easy to fix and often goes away by itself. Carolyn, who has grown thousands of different tomatoes , tells what to do in the third reply down on this thread:

http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/291012/

I use Epsom salts on my plants, including tomatoes, and they like it. However, I don't think it will do anything for BER.

Karen

I don't use Epsom Salts (magnesium sulfate) because my soil has too much magnesium in it. Don't have a clay soil where one would expect this either but have well drained sandy loam. Aside from causing soil to compact and crack, an over optimum amount of magnesium can block calcium uptake---exactly what is not wanted when BER is a problem.

Rather than add more magnesium in the form of Epsom Salts, this year I'm adding gypsum ( calcium sulfate). The intent is to create Epsom Salt (the magnesium in my soil should replace the calcium in the gypsum, forming magnesium sulfate which is very soluable and will leach out of the soil taking away the unwanted magnesium and leaving needed calcium).

Dolomitic Lime, along with consistent watering is the solution for BER.

feldon...maybe the reason I have never had BER here is because of the excess of magnesium in the soil.

This message was edited Jul 18, 2008 10:12 AM

I seem to have the exact OPPOSITE problem. The bottoms of my tomatoes seem to be fine, and as they start to ripen they rot from the top. I'll go to pick one that looks near ripe and it's like grabbing a water balloon. Gross!!! Does anyone have any idea what's happening? I think I've seen one stink bug, and I sprayed and haven't seen any more, but the "water balloon" problem continues. I'm getting desperate here... HELP!!!

mgpaquin....look like anything here?

http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/tomatoproblemsolver/ripefruit/index.html

If what you have looks close to one of the photos, click on that photo to go to the diagnosis...

Cottony Leak:

Symptoms:
Numerous fungi cause fruit rots on tomato. Large areas of the fruit appear water-soaked, with off color darker or lighter patches. Fruit may appear intact until touched. Handling usually punctures skin and internal watery tissue escapes.
Control:
Fruit should be kept off the soil (if possible), and surface wetting should be minimized. Furrow or drip irrigation is preferred over sprinkler irrigation. Preventative fungicide sprays may be required if a "zero tolerance" for defects production system is needed.


that is kinda what it sounds like to me

mg,

Try picking one when it's just turning color and bring it inside. Let it ripen inside and see if it has the same problem.