Water the plants during pollination if the soil is dry. Bitterness develops when plants are subjected to stressful growing conditions. Stressful conditions include high temperatures, drought, and disease problems. Bitterness can be reduced by watering plants during dry periods and practicing good disease control. Sweet Slice' and 'Burpless Hybrid' have fewer problems.
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. Later, the affected tissue dries out and collapses, forming slightly sunken, wrinkled areas. Secondary organisms invade the affected areas causing the fruit to rot.