As a tomato grower, it can be frustrating to see your hard work go to waste when fruit starts to crack before harvest. Cracking occurs when the tomato fruit expands too quickly for the skin to keep up, causing splits and fissures in the skin. This can happen due to fluctuations in water availability, excessive fertilization, or environmental stressors like temperature fluctuations. The good news is that there are several steps you can take to minimize the risk of fruit cracking in your tomato crop.
1. Manage Water & Nutrient Levels: Tomatoes require consistent watering to ensure they receive enough water to grow, but not too much that the fruit splits open due to water pressure. It is important to monitor soil moisture content and adjust watering schedules as needed. Tomatoes also require proper nutrition levels, which can be monitored and maintained with regular fertilization. However, excessive fertilization can cause rapid fruit growth and splitting, so it is important to follow recommended fertilization guidelines.
2. Select Appropriate Varieties: Some tomato varieties are more prone to cracking than others. Choose varieties that are bred for crack resistance, such as ‘Roma VF’ or ‘Celebrity’. Researching the best varieties to grow in your climate and situation can also help reduce the risk of fruit cracking.
3. Prune & Stake Plants: Training plants in an organized manner by pruning and staking can help provide more consistent water and nutrient distribution throughout the plant, reducing the risk of fruit splitting.
4. Harvest Timely: Harvest the tomatoes before they are ripe. This may seem counterintuitive, but unripe tomatoes have stronger skin, allowing them to better withstand being bumped or stressed.
5. Consider Reduce Temperature Fluctuations: Extreme temperature fluctuations can cause rapid changes in tomato growth rates and pressures that can lead to strain cracks. Using shade cloths or other types of light or heat shields can help regulate the temperature and reduce stress on the plants.
6. Added Potassium Helps: Applying additional potassium in the mid-season can help to strengthen cell walls in the fruit, reducing the risk of splitting.
By following these six tips, you can reduce the risk of fruit cracking in your tomato crops, and enjoy a bountiful harvest. Remember, prevention is key, so always monitor your crop and make adjustments as needed to ensure a healthy and productive harvest.