Most Unusual Tomato Variety? And Your Favorites?

[Dave's Not Here]

It rained last night and it's getting ready to rain the next couple days so I picked these Cherokee Purple's a little early before they split and got more cracks, I had to toss a few big ones that split.... is there something I can give them to get less cracks and splits?

The few cherry tomatoes in the back are called "Black Cherry" and they're healthy, heavy producers 2 years in a row and put out a lot of mini cherokee purple tasting tomatoes, it's a keeper.

 

[b4ds33d]

... is there something I can give them to get less cracks and splits?View attachment 3743814

I'd like to know the same thing. I've never been able to grow a large tomato without cracks. I'm starting to experiment with nutrients to see if it makes a difference.

 

[Ace Yonder]

For anyone with a penchant for purple like myself, these are my favorites of the ones I'm currently growing. They look even better in the full midday sun when the purple really stands out, I'll try to get some better pics tomorrow.

 

[b4ds33d]

 

[burrheadd]

I'd like to know the same thing. I've never been able to grow a large tomato without cracks. I'm starting to experiment with nutrients to see if it makes a difference.

Cal-mag

 

[b4ds33d]

Cal-mag

i make my own nutes, so you are saying the cracked tomatoes are due to a calcium and/or magnesium deficiency?

 

[burrheadd]

i make my own nutes, so you are saying the cracked tomatoes are due to a calcium and/or magnesium deficiency?

That's what my old man always told me if they start cracking throw a bit of Epsom salt around and water it in

 

[b4ds33d]

these have some color- green, orange, and blue. cosmic eclipse.

 

[Larry {the} Gardener]

That's brilliant man, I'll have to try that frozen tomato thing for next spring for sure! Are the Pruden's like the Cherokee at all?

They are really pink, not purple. But get big and have good flavor.

 

[Larry {the} Gardener]

That's what my old man always told me if they start cracking throw a bit of Epsom salt around and water it in

Epson is good for end bloom rot. Not sure about the splitting. I always thought that was from too much water.

 

[Dave's Not Here]

I gave them some more non fat powdered milk and epsom salts today to see if it might help.

 

[roseypeach]

I had a hornworm on one of my best plants, the first tomato already has a hole in the side. I mixed up some hot pepper/soapy spray and misted them after I watered today, hopefully that will help deter some of the buggers..I had the worst time with those damn things last season, they were rampant!

 

[roseypeach]

It rained last night and it's getting ready to rain the next couple days so I picked these Cherokee Purple's a little early before they split and got more cracks, I had to toss a few big ones that split.... is there something I can give them to get less cracks and splits?

The few cherry tomatoes in the back are called "Black Cherry" and they're healthy, heavy producers 2 years in a row and put out a lot of mini cherokee purple tasting tomatoes, it's a keeper.

View attachment 3743814

I'd like to know the same thing. I've never been able to grow a large tomato without cracks. I'm starting to experiment with nutrients to see if it makes a difference.

I found this here...http://www.todayshomeowner.com/how-to-keep-tomatoes-from-splitting-open/


Splitting usually happens after a hard rain, and it’s caused by the sudden change in moisture. A rapid increase in water levels will cause the insides of the fruit to swell faster than the skin can stretch, resulting in cracks.

This problem is worse in hot temperatures and during drought, as the plants respond by producing fruits with tougher skins that can’t handle sudden rapid growth.

While you can’t totally prevent it, splitting will be reduced if you take steps to keep moisture levels consistent within the plants.

Tips to Reduce Tomato Splitting:

• Watering: Keep your tomato plants evenly and regularly watered, so that they aren’t as shocked by a hard rain. Avoid the cycle of drying out and then overwatering.
• Mulching: Applying mulch around your tomato plants helps to even out moisture levels.
• Fertilizing: Fertilize carefully, or use naturally-balanced compost, to prevent bursts of water-sensitive growth.
• Picking: If you don’t use extra irrigation and therefore can’t control the amount of water, you can go out right after the rain and pick as many tomatoes as you can, and allow then to ripen off the vine.
• Choosing Variety: Each variety of tomato is different – check out the varieties you’re planting to see if they’re more prone to splitting than others.
• Enjoy: Finally, keep in mind that as long as the fruits are clean and insect-free, there’s nothing wrong with a split-open tomato!

 

[Larry {the} Gardener]

I found this here...http://www.todayshomeowner.com/how-to-keep-tomatoes-from-splitting-open/


Splitting usually happens after a hard rain, and it’s caused by the sudden change in moisture. A rapid increase in water levels will cause the insides of the fruit to swell faster than the skin can stretch, resulting in cracks.

This problem is worse in hot temperatures and during drought, as the plants respond by producing fruits with tougher skins that can’t handle sudden rapid growth.

While you can’t totally prevent it, splitting will be reduced if you take steps to keep moisture levels consistent within the plants.

Tips to Reduce Tomato Splitting:

• Watering: Keep your tomato plants evenly and regularly watered, so that they aren’t as shocked by a hard rain. Avoid the cycle of drying out and then overwatering.
• Mulching: Applying mulch around your tomato plants helps to even out moisture levels.
• Fertilizing: Fertilize carefully, or use naturally-balanced compost, to prevent bursts of water-sensitive growth.
• Picking: If you don’t use extra irrigation and therefore can’t control the amount of water, you can go out right after the rain and pick as many tomatoes as you can, and allow then to ripen off the vine.
• Choosing Variety: Each variety of tomato is different – check out the varieties you’re planting to see if they’re more prone to splitting than others.
• Enjoy: Finally, keep in mind that as long as the fruits are clean and insect-free, there’s nothing wrong with a split-open tomato!

I always eat the split tomatoes in the garden. No need to carry them in the house were they might not get used and will have to be thrown away in a few days.

 

[roseypeach]

I always eat the split tomatoes in the garden. No need to carry them in the house were they might not get used and will have to be thrown away in a few days.

Split ones are great for canning you know, or even chopping up in soup or stew. I personally love tomatoes to no end, I eat them nearly every day

 

[Larry {the} Gardener]

Split ones are great for canning you know, or even chopping up in soup or stew. I personally love tomatoes to no end, I eat them nearly every day

I have Armenian cucumber, tomato, sweet pepper and maybe a water melon in the garden to start most days. I always miss the melons the most when they are gone. I'm picking off of my 2nd planting of melons now, and my 3rd planting will be ready before these give up the ghost. But I need to get more seeds in the ground soon, or there will be a melon gap.

 

[roseypeach]

I have Armenian cucumber, tomato, sweet pepper and maybe a water melon in the garden to start most days. I always miss the melons the most when they are gone. I'm picking off of my 2nd planting of melons now, and my 3rd planting will be ready before these give up the ghost. But I need to get more seeds in the ground soon, or there will be a melon gap.

With the weather here we can't grow any melons this year, I'd really like to grow some honeydews, they're my fave. I've got some Burpless organic cukes going that are pretty good, they are spongy (good for pickling) not as firm as I'm used to.

 

[Larry {the} Gardener]

With the weather here we can't grow any melons this year, I'd really like to grow some honeydews, they're my fave. I've got some Burpless organic cukes going that are pretty good, they are spongy (good for pickling) not as firm as I'm used to.

I've already gone through my Crimson Sweet and Charleston Gray patch. The Tender Sweets are ripe now, and the 3rd planting with CS and TS are only a week or two behind. I try to grow them right up to frost.

 

[Ace Yonder]

I had a hornworm on one of my best plants, the first tomato already has a hole in the side. I mixed up some hot pepper/soapy spray and misted them after I watered today, hopefully that will help deter some of the buggers..I had the worst time with those damn things last season, they were rampant!

Ouch! I'm sorry to hear that, but I have to thank you because this reminded me to go do a thorough spray down with BT which I am usually very forgetful about until it is too late.

 

[roseypeach]

Ouch! I'm sorry to hear that, but I have to thank you because this reminded me to go do a thorough spray down with BT which I am usually very forgetful about until it is too late.

Glad to help!