How to identify calcium deficiency in tomatoes?
Written by
Tina Carter
Reviewed by
Prof. Charles Hartman, Ph.D.Recognizing calcium deficiency in tomatoes in the early stages helps preserve the crop you expect to harvest. The symptoms are conspicuous on leaves, stems, and fruits; however, they differ from those related to nutrient deficiency. To confirm an accurate diagnosis, we must inspect several parts of the plant simultaneously. I will show you exactly what to observe, inspect, and when to do so, based on the growth stage.
Fruit Indicators
- Blossom end rot: Dark leathery spots expanding from fruit bottom
- Concentric cracking: Circular splits around stem attachment points
- Internal browning: Dark tissue visible when cutting green tomatoes
Foliage Clues
- Cupped leaves: Young leaves curl upward at margins
- Necrotic edges: Brown dead tissue on leaf tips
- Purple veins: Coloration on undersides of mature leaves
Growth Patterns
- Stunted terminals: New growth stops extending
- Brittle stems: Snap easily when bent slightly
- Aborted flowers: Blossoms drop before fruit sets
Distinguishing from similar-looking issues. Blossom end rot is a leathery texture that differs from damage caused by pests. Leaf curling does not exhibit the mosaic pattern characteristic of viral diseases. A brittle stem differs from a willow from a fungus. I carry a magnifier to examine symptoms closely.
Verify with easy field tests. If you squeeze the young stems, calcium-deficient ones will snap cleanly. When you cut any green fruit, the brown vascular tissue validates the deficiency. Test the consistency of the soil moisture level near the root zone. These easy tests help avoid misdiagnoses and unnecessary treatments.
Observe plants at key moments. For example, check daily when the early fruit development phase begins, when nutritional deficiency takes the most toll. Then, to open systems, try examining new tissue after heavy rain or a heatwave. I personally put a check mark on my calendar to indicate the initial day, reminding myself to observe the plants closely until the symptoms change or become irreversible.
Document the progression of symptoms in a garden journal. Please write down the day they appear and the weather conditions for that day. Track the plant's response to the treatments. This documentation may serve as a guide for predicting future outbursts of a similar nature. For example, my ten-year records reveal patterns based on early-season temperatures.
Identifying these signals early on enables the implementation of corrective action before crops are lost. Your tomatoes will yield healthy, blemish-free harvests throughout the season in gratitude. Start exploring your plants today with the available visual guides.
Read the full article: Calcium Deficiency Tomatoes: Prevention and Solutions
