Water the plants deeply once a week during dry weather. Fruit set should increase when temperatures moderate. However, the resulting fruit are often misshapen. Hormone sprays do not prevent blossom drop due to high temperatures. Blossom-End Rot A brown or black spot develops on the blossom end of the fruit.
Secondary organisms invade the affected tissue and cause the fruit to rot.
Wide fluctuations in soil moisture levels impair calcium uptake by the root system. Excessive nitrogen fertilization may also contribute to blossom-end rot. Avoid over-fertilizing with nitrogen. Sunscald Initial symptoms are shiny white or yellow areas on the sides of the fruit exposed to the sun. Later, the affected tissue dries out and collapses, forming slightly sunken, wrinkled areas.