Member discussion regarding the methods, varieties and merits of growing tomatoes.
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July 11, 2012 | #1 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: N.C.
Posts: 1,827
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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 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Kansas CIty
Posts: 560
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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.
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Kansas City, Missouri Zone 5b/6a |
July 11, 2012 | #3 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: 2 miles south of Yoknapatawpha Zone 7b
Posts: 662
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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.
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