This is my third post in a row on the subject of water, the last of my outpours on downpours.
Today I return to the subject of watering , in relation to splitting, also known as cracking. When cracks or splits appear in the skin of the fruit, sometimes even pushing the flesh and seeds of the tomato through to the outside.
Fruit splitting is related irregular watering. If the plant dries out during fruiting the skin of the tomato toughens. Followed by heavy watering, the inside of the tomato will grow and swell, faster than its skin can develop and stretch to contain it. When this happens the skin splits.
If the skin splits the tomato is still edible but left on the plant will leave the tomato open to bacteria causing it to rot, so pick and eat instead.
Looking through the seed catalogues some varieties are identified as being crack resistant or very crack resistant.
So far no cracking/splitting on my tomatoes, this post is based on reading only, it would be nice if it stayed that way.
Experience isn’t all its cracked up to be !
