Tomatoes splitting

[Matt G]

Things are going south quick. After eradicating my hornworm infestation (thank you Sevin Dust) the birds started getting to my tomatoes. Now it seems like all of the tomatoes that are starting to ripen are splitting. What in the world is going on?

[jchief]

I was told too much water. But not sure. I pick mine when they start to turn and let them ripen on the window seal.

[casmurf]

To much Water

[Matt G]

Originally Posted by jchief

I was told too much water. But not sure. I pick mine when they start to turn and let them ripen on the window seal.

Hmmmmm. Not much I can do about that with all of the rain we have been getting. I'll try picking them earlier to see. Does that affect the taste of them?

[Bluechip]

It doesn't change the taste..... Pick them green and ripen in the house.

The birds get to mine all the time. That's why I pick green. They will ripen very nicely on a window.

[jchief]

Originally Posted by Bluechip

It doesn't change the taste..... Pick them green and ripen in the house.

The birds get to mine all the time. That's why I pick green. They will ripen very nicely on a window.

I pretty much do the same. As soon as they start turning. I pick them.

[duckman1911]

Can't beat a batch of fried green maters either.

[BuckingFastard]

mine are splitting too... i had the same problem with bugs, got rid of them and now it seems everything is made of paper.cracks everywhere... they seem to heal up after the fact but just look kinda ugly.

[keakar]

try digging a trench to carry the pooled rain water away from them so they don't get too much water.

I was always told you need to keep a steady even amount of water to the plants so they are healthy and if water varies too much you get splits or tough skins on veggies.

that's why I was always taught to plant things above ground or on a mound

[BuckingFastard]

if this is the case then why are hydroponic tomatoes not doing this when they are completely drenched always?

[jldsc]

Yeap too much moisture, mine are doing the same...started picking them green and there doing fine now


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[keakar]

Originally Posted by BuckingFastard

if this is the case then why are hydroponic tomatoes not doing this when they are completely drenched always?

I suspect its because the conditions stay constant and don't fluctuate, the splitting is from the changes so with less water the tomato is not as big when the skin forms and as it grows the skin grows with it but with excess water the tomato swells faster then the outer skin and it can only swell so much before it splits.

it is my understanding that the reason they always plant crops in rows is not just to help collect water and distribute it evenly to the roots of your crops but also to allow any excess water to run off in heavy rains to avoid root rot fungus and mold on your crops

[BuckingFastard]

good explanation

[duckman1911]

Nothing worse for tomatoes than our typical La storms that leave standing water then our sun comes back out. It will burn em up and cause all sorts of problems. Make sure the excess water can drain off.