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Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.

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Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

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Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

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Friday - April 25, 2014

From: Newport, RI
Region: Northeast
Topic: Non-Natives, Diseases and Disorders, Edible Plants
Title: Blossom end rot on non-native tomatoes from Newport RI
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

Can epsom salt or eggshells end blossom end rot on tomatoes?

ANSWER:

The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, home of Mr. Smarty Plants, is dedicated to the growth, propagation and protection of plants native not only to North America but to the place in which those plants are being grown, in your case, Newport County, RI. Solanum lycopersicum, tomato is a member of the Solanaceae (nightshade) family and is native to the South American Andes. Therefore, is is out of our realm of expertise. We would suggest you go to the internet and search on "blossom end rot of tomatoes." When we did that, we got dozens of links, no doubt with far more information than we could give you.
 

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