What to do with tomatoes to prevent them from cracking on branches: proper watering will solve the problem
One of the problems that can arise when growing tomatoes is fruit cracking. It can significantly reduce the value and quality of the future harvest. Sometimes the defects are almost invisible, but often they are quite deep and cover the entire surface of the tomato. When a tomato is cracked, it cannot be canned, transported, or stored. Such vegetables are only used fresh to be consumed immediately. Let's find out why tomatoes crack in the open field and in the greenhouse, and what to do to prevent this from happening. This was reported by SSPDaily.
Why tomatoes crack
The appearance of cracks on the skin is not a sign of disease. This is more of a defect that spoils the appearance of the fruit ripening on the branches. As a result, such a tomato will be much cheaper on the market, because it cannot be stored or used for canning for a long time.
Experts have identified several main reasons why tomatoes crack:
- using the wrong fertilizer, such as the wrong composition or dosage, neglecting the fertilization schedule;
- uneven soil moisture due to heavy rains;
- sudden temperature changes between night and day;
- genetic peculiarity of certain varieties - yellow and pink tomatoes with thin skin are most often at risk;
- growing varieties for greenhouses in the open field - they grow poorly, often get sick, and produce cracked fruits.
If you notice that a deep crack has appeared on the fruit, you should immediately pick it off the bush. But when the crack has already healed and is covered with a rough brown skin, such a fruit will continue to grow without losing its taste or shape. Such tomatoes do not need to be picked.
What to do with tomatoes to prevent them from cracking on branches
Experts recommend dealing not with the problem itself, but with its causes. Therefore, it is worth remembering two important rules:
- Proper fertilization - during the fruiting period, experienced gardeners do not fertilize tomatoes at all. Due to "overfeeding", the fruits become excessively large, grow in "leaps and bounds", and therefore crack easily. Another important disadvantage is that fertilizer chemicals tend to be absorbed only partially, meaning that some of the substances accumulate in the fruit. Therefore, fertilizing should be done during the period of budding, flowering and ovary formation.
- Proper watering regime - in summer, hot weather becomes a real challenge for vegetable crops. But it is important not to overwater the beds, because this is why cracks often appear and the fruits themselves become tasteless. Even if it is hot outside, tomatoes are watered moderately but regularly.
It is worth noting that tomatoes feel good in dry weather and have learned to extract moisture from the deeper layers of the soil. That is why they have a powerful rhizome.
