Consistent watering helps prevent blossom end rot in tomatoes

Q. What causes splitting and black spots on tomatoes?A. The black spots you are seeing on tomatoes is referred to as blossom end rot - a black leathery scar that occurs on the blossom end of the tomato.#160;It is caused by wide fluctuation in soil moisture. The early summer rains provided more than ample moisture, but current drought like conditions have created stress which can cause this unsightly blemish on susceptible tomato varieties.The condition can be controlled through maintaining uniform soil moisture by mulching your plants and watering evenly. Avoid watering lightly and frequently. Alternatively, water deeply and infrequently (wait at least five days in between watering).Cracked fruit occurs due to rapid uptake of water by the tomato as a result of heavy rain or heavy watering. The water moves to the fruit though the roots and into the fruit around the stem scar. Often tomatoes crack when rapid growth is brought on by rainy periods following a dry spell. Again, mulch plants and keep watering steadily and evenly.Q. What causes the plants to die when I pick a few cucumbers? The whole vine will shrivel up like it's been poisoned. I have tried wearing gloves, making sure I wash my hands, used a scissors - nothing seems to work.A. There are many things that can cause cucumber vine die back. However, I suspect that in this case, cucumber beetles are the likely culprit. They munch on the leaves, and by themselves, probably won't kill a healthy cucumber plant. However, these insects are the carrier for the bacteria that causes cucumber wilt. When the plants were small, the cucumber beetle may have fed on them and transmitted bacterial wilt which later plugs the vascular tissues. The plants start off great, and you may even get lots of cucumbers before the plant begins to wither. When the vines wilt and collapse, it is too late to prevent the disease.To prevent beetles from feeding on young plants, use row covers until the plants get bigger. Also, a stressed plant is susceptible to attack by bacterial wilt. To prevent plant stress, provide good drainage and plenty of sunlight and avoid watering from above so as not to get any water splashing on the foliage. Next season, rotate your cucumber planting to another site. The disease organism overwinters in the beetles from one year to the next. The beetles hibernate among the trash and weeds around the garden, so practice good garden hygiene and remove these during your fall cleanup.bull; Provided by Mary Boldan, Mary Moisand and Donna Siemro, University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners. Send questions to Ask a Master Gardener, c/o Friendship Park Conservatory, 395 W. Algonquin Road, Des Plaines, IL 60016, (847) 298-3502 or via e-mail to cookcountymg@sbcglobal.net.