I have 4 tomato plants which produced nicely all summer, and then about 3 weeks ago they just up and split on me? What's up with that?
2006-09-27 01:31:48 · 11 answers · asked by pandora_mm 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Garden & Landscape
Both green and red tomatoes split down the side. I should also mention that these are Roma and grape tomatoes.
2006-09-27 01:39:55 · update #1
I had the same problem, but it is the late part of the season. Tomatoes need a steady amount of moisture, not wet and not dry, it's taking to long for the tomato to ripen, think back when they were first starting to ripen one day they were green next day they were ripening, it's not like that in the latter part of the season, it's taken to long to ripen
and the skin of the tomato cannot keep up with the flesh of the tomato. Also blossom end rot is to blame on moisture, a constant supply of moisture and you stop blossom end rot.
2006-09-27 01:51:14 · answer #1 · answered by obac777 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do you mean that the tomatoes split, or the actual plants themselves split? Here are my answers for both:
If the tomatoes split, you might have given them too much water. Tomatoes need a lot of water when they're fruiting, but once the fruit gets to a certain size, too much water can make them split. You need to go easy on the water towards the end and just let them ripen on the vine.
If the plants split, they either weren't supported enough (they need to be staked as the plants aren't the strongest and the fruit is actually quite heavy) -- or if they were supported enough, the plants might just have reached the end of their useful lives.
Either way, sounds like you got a great season out of your tomato plants. And lucky you -- there are few things in the world better than home-grown tomatoes! So much better than anything you can get in the store! Mmmmm ...
2006-09-27 01:37:21 · answer #2 · answered by epiCure 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The most common cause of tomato fruit splitting is uneven watering of the plants. If the plants become a little dry and are then watered or irrigated heavily, the plants take up a large amount of water all at once. This is transported into the developing fruit and the fruit cells expand faster than the skin can stretch and it splits open.
Tomato plants, when carrying a heavy fruit load, need constant drip irrigation, not heavy watering to restore a dry soil. This is most common where the plants may have dried out during a warm, sunny day and are then watered heavily in the evening when conditions are cooler and water is taken up by the plants faster. Mulching the soil, installing drip irrigation, or using automated hydroponic techniques are all ways of preventing sudden changes in the moisture levels of the soil or other growing media. Also, preventing the plants from becoming too hot with the use of overhead shading also helps prevent splitting.
If your plants are in a hydroponic system, avoid sudden changes in the electrical conductivity (EC) level. An EC drop will also cause the plants to suck up large volumes of water and split the fruit.
Good luck with your tomato plants.
2006-09-27 01:40:16 · answer #3 · answered by tui 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Inconsistent watering would be you culprit!
You can still eat them though. If you do not see any signs of rot and the tomato is just split (the split can even turn dark brown/black), just slice off the crack and eat!
2006-09-27 01:45:47 · answer #4 · answered by Krispy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have to concur with the "too much water" people. I'm from Seattle, and that sort of thing is fairly common out here. If it isn't the fruit splitting, it's some sort of mold. Now, if I could only get these stupid green beans to die, I'd be happy! NOTHING seems to phase them, lol!
2006-09-27 01:44:22 · answer #5 · answered by Clint C 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Often happens when the tomatoe gets over wet
2006-09-27 01:33:18 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
You mean they ran away from home? just kidding! You left them on the vine too long sweety! That's all there is to it.
2006-09-27 01:33:59 · answer #7 · answered by rebecca_sld 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tomatoes will crack if there are wide temperature fluctuations. I don't know if this is your problem but it might be something to look into.
2006-09-27 03:56:22 · answer #8 · answered by Spud55 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Too much water, followed by too little, or the other way around.
They prefer regular consistant watering....
2006-09-27 01:41:39 · answer #9 · answered by maggie rose 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it;s due to irregular watering,alwas water them twice a day in hot weather.
2006-09-27 01:34:38 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋