Hollow Tomato

GoDawgs · July 14, 2020

Sister Pickles just cut open a tomato and it was hollow, the inside wall covered in small bumps. Neither of us has ever seen anything like this.

Some of you most likely know what this is but I did some digging and for those of you who haven't encountered this, here's what I found.

It's not a disease but a condition called "puffiness", caused by improper fertilization and usually occurs when outdoor temperatures are above 90 or below 55. High amounts of nitrogen in the soil can also contribute to puffiness.

You learn something new every day! Hopefully, since it's never happened before and no other tomatoes this year have exhibited it, this is a one-off happening.

ddsack · July 14, 2020

I see it more in the fall when it cools off on more of the varieties. But during the summer it is usually the paste types without much juice that are affected. As long as you don't have too much of the fibrous white wall stuff too, you can make good fresh salsa that is not so drippy.

slugworth · July 14, 2020

saw it in the spring last year before there were any bees to pollinate.

Father'sDaughter · July 15, 2020

I see it a lot with the San Marzano types that ripen late in the season. Not great if you're looking to save seeds, but makes drying them a heck of a lot easier.

zipcode · July 15, 2020

I see it in all so called 'cuor di bue' type (rufflled pear) and sometimes on paste types. The seed gel looks like a little brain.
They can taste pretty gosh darnoodley good so maybe it's an element that is not important to taste.

slugworth · July 15, 2020

Last year it was the pantano romanesco
No seeds at all in it.
I threw it out before tasting it.
Less filling,didn't know if it tastes great.

slugworth · July 15, 2020

I have cour di bue this year
It better not happen with that.

brownrexx · July 15, 2020

I have seen that a little bit but not to that extent. I didn't know what it was so I appreciate the explanation.

GoDawgs · July 15, 2020

I'm going to chalk this one up to the improper fertilizing aspect. It's hot as Hades out there but that's normal for July. The fertilizing regimen has not changed in ages. The only problem is that I didn't remember to write what it was with a marker so I have no clue which variety it was!

slugworth · July 15, 2020

There are hollow tomatoes bred for stuffing purposes.
Mine were none of those.

July 14, 2020	#1
GoDawgs Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Augusta area, Georgia, 8a/7b Posts: 1,685	Hollow Tomato Sister Pickles just cut open a tomato and it was hollow, the inside wall covered in small bumps. Neither of us has ever seen anything like this. Some of you most likely know what this is but I did some digging and for those of you who haven't encountered this, here's what I found. It's not a disease but a condition called "puffiness", caused by improper fertilization and usually occurs when outdoor temperatures are above 90 or below 55. High amounts of nitrogen in the soil can also contribute to puffiness. You learn something new every day! Hopefully, since it's never happened before and no other tomatoes this year have exhibited it, this is a one-off happening.

July 14, 2020	#2
ddsack Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Northern Minnesota - zone 3 Posts: 3,231	I see it more in the fall when it cools off on more of the varieties. But during the summer it is usually the paste types without much juice that are affected. As long as you don't have too much of the fibrous white wall stuff too, you can make good fresh salsa that is not so drippy. __________________ Dee **************

July 14, 2020	#3
slugworth Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: connecticut,usa Posts: 1,152	saw it in the spring last year before there were any bees to pollinate.

July 15, 2020	#4
Father'sDaughter Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: MA/NH Border Posts: 4,919	I see it a lot with the San Marzano types that ripen late in the season. Not great if you're looking to save seeds, but makes drying them a heck of a lot easier.

July 15, 2020	#5
zipcode Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Romania/Germany , z 4-6 Posts: 1,582	I see it in all so called 'cuor di bue' type (rufflled pear) and sometimes on paste types. The seed gel looks like a little brain. They can taste pretty gosh darnoodley good so maybe it's an element that is not important to taste.

July 15, 2020	#8
brownrexx Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Southeastern PA Posts: 1,420	I have seen that a little bit but not to that extent. I didn't know what it was so I appreciate the explanation.