2007-09-02 10:16:56 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Home & Garden ➔ Garden & Landscape
Splitting is usually caused by irregular watering or by over watering during periods of rapid growth, and also by planting a variety of tomato that has a tendency to crack.
If your tomatoes have gone through a dry spell and you try to make up for it with frequent waterings, the inside of the tomato will plump up faster than the outside can stretch and grow. As a result the outer skin of the tomato splits open or cracks.
http://gardening.about.com/od/vegetablepatch/f/TomatoCracks.htm
A heavy rain or a jolt of irrigation when produce is ripening can also cause it to split.
You can prevent splitting by watering them on a regular schedule & by mulching around the tomato plants to maintain ground moisture, Pick damaged tomatoes right away & cut off the part where it's split.
For future plantings, keep in mind that some varieties, usually the older varieties, are more prone to splitting than others.
Plant varieties that are resistant to cracking. Also, select short-season varieties, which at maturity will weigh 4 - 5 ounces and are mature in 65 -70 days, such as Early Girl. Some of the Heirlooms in this size are Rutgers and Yellow Pear. As a general rule, medium and small tomatoes do better than large fruited ones, especially in hot weather.
http://www.mydesert.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?Date=20070825&Category=COLUMNS38&ArtNo=708250301&Ref=AR
Good luck! Hope this helps.
2007-09-02 10:39:52 · answer #1 · answered by ANGEL 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are three kinds of splitting and not all are due to too much water.
Radial splitting is a star like pattern that radiates out from the stem and is quite normal for many varieties. the splits normally scar over, but with too much water they can reopen and initiate a rotting process.
Concentric splitting is shown as a series of concentric circles around the stem and this too is normal for many varieties and the normal scarred shut splits can also reopen due to too much water.
Horizontal splitting, which means splitting anywhere's else on the fruit, is the one which occurs when there is too much water and when the fruits are at their maximum size. The fruit epidermis can no longer expand so the fruits split.
http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/tomato/msg0721355230987.html
Weather, water woes can split tomatoes
http://www.dirtdoctor.com/dallasnews.php?id=468
2007-09-02 11:46:28 · answer #2 · answered by LucySD 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Great answer Angel! From my gardening experience, I can say that variety plays a HUGE part! I am an inconsistent waterer, and yet my purple tomotos and early girl (or ultra girl if you can find them) turn out fine. This year I planted a few miscellaneous varieties given to me by a neighbour, and I have thrown out all of the tomotos from those plants. If you grow collosal varieties, or any really large tomato, you will have splitting issues unless you are extremely consistent with watering and get exactly the right wet/dry balance.
2007-09-02 11:34:41 · answer #3 · answered by lilith984 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tomatoes need regular watering but not over watering; once or twice a week is usually enough. Irregular watering causes uneven fruit growth and splitting.
2007-09-03 08:01:30 · answer #4 · answered by Big wullie 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I used to grow tomatoes for years and found that home grown used to split if they were over watered. Sometimes if they were left on the vine too long also. Sometimes it's best to crop them when they are small.
2007-09-02 10:29:52 · answer #5 · answered by Superuman 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
becoming too dry and then getting too much water.
the basic rule is they should get about 1/2 inch every other day or so. if it does not fall from the sky then use the hose.. put down an old margarine container in the tomato patch to find out how much water is coming from that hose..
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2007-09-02 10:24:44 · answer #6 · answered by pbear i 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's caused by quick growth.Like if you were'nt to water them much for a week and there was'nt much sun.Then the next week you watered them loads and the sun was out everyday.They would grow too much for their skin.
Does'nt make a difference to the taste just the appearance.
2007-09-02 21:23:16 · answer #7 · answered by Lets go eskimo. 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are overwatering them I am afraid. Too much water causes the fruit to swell and the skin splits.
2007-09-02 12:35:01 · answer #8 · answered by 'Er indoors!! 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Irregular watering.
2007-09-02 18:35:43 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
you need to water them with consistency don't let them dry out and water them like mad if that makes sense.
2007-09-02 10:26:25 · answer #10 · answered by kazz06 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋