Anyway to control damage from 'The Splits'??

gssgarden · July 11, 2012

We've been very dry here outside of Charlotte but some heavy rains 2 of the last 4 days have caused some semi-ripe toms to split.

They're not quite ripe, prob need a couple to a few days to get really red but I'm affraid of them rotting a little.

I know damage SHOULD be minimal but is there anything that can be done for those that will take 4 or 5 days to ripen??

Don't want to put them in the fridge either. Thinking that may slow down the rot.

Vasaline maybe?? LOL Just thinking out load!

Greg

huntoften · July 11, 2012

This won't help you now, but next year you might consider plastic mulch film. I've used it for years now and just realized last year that I hardly ever get split fruit like I did before using it When those heavy rains hit, the water runs off and you avoid blowing up the fruit. The down side is you have to hand water or use drip irrigation.

saltmarsh · July 11, 2012

Some varieties are more prone to splitting from rain than others. For the varieties prone to splitting, if there is a 60% or greater chance of rain, I pick everything showing good color. If you wait until it rains, it's normally too late. Let them finish ripening on the counter and there shouldn't be any noticable lose of flavor or texture. Green when ripe, who knows.

July 11, 2012	#1
gssgarden Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: N.C. Posts: 1,827	Anyway to control damage from 'The Splits'?? We've been very dry here outside of Charlotte but some heavy rains 2 of the last 4 days have caused some semi-ripe toms to split. They're not quite ripe, prob need a couple to a few days to get really red but I'm affraid of them rotting a little. I know damage SHOULD be minimal but is there anything that can be done for those that will take 4 or 5 days to ripen?? Don't want to put them in the fridge either. Thinking that may slow down the rot. Vasaline maybe?? LOL Just thinking out load! Greg

July 11, 2012	#2
huntoften Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Kansas CIty Posts: 560	This won't help you now, but next year you might consider plastic mulch film. I've used it for years now and just realized last year that I hardly ever get split fruit like I did before using it When those heavy rains hit, the water runs off and you avoid blowing up the fruit. The down side is you have to hand water or use drip irrigation. __________________ Kansas City, Missouri Zone 5b/6a

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July 11, 2012	#3
saltmarsh Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: 2 miles south of Yoknapatawpha Zone 7b Posts: 662	Some varieties are more prone to splitting from rain than others. For the varieties prone to splitting, if there is a 60% or greater chance of rain, I pick everything showing good color. If you wait until it rains, it's normally too late. Let them finish ripening on the counter and there shouldn't be any noticable lose of flavor or texture. Green when ripe, who knows.