Tomatoes with Cracked Shouders

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Newbie, JonHodson. This was originally posted on August 23, 2013.

I read somewhere that cracked shoulders on my tomatoes was due to too much or uneven water.
It seems like the boxes should provide just the correct amount and very even amounts of water.
The cracks are radial and run down about 1/3 the way down the tomato.
Anybody got any idea what i am doing wrong

Thanks

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, mjb7843. This user is located in Zone 7, South NJ, Garden State. This was originally posted on August 23, 2013.

Some varieties are just prone to cracking. That said, bear in mind that plants take in water through their foliage as well as their roots. If you've had a lot of rain, the fruits can take on just so much water before they burst.

I know the Earthbox is not causing the cracking, and I doubt very much you've had anything to do with it either. There's not much you can do except pick the fruits as soon as they show signs of ripening, preferably before it rains... ideally, the cracks will not be too pronounced. Also, in the future try to select crack-resistant varieties and hope for a drier season.

Mickie

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Newbie, JonHodson. This was originally posted on August 23, 2013.

Thanks for the follow up. I love in No CA, no rain sine March, and wont have any until maybe Dec. Seems to be across most of my varieties and is worse in my E Boxes, than the ones in the ground. Could it be a nutrition deficiency?

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, gardendoc. This user is located in Ocean Springs, MS Zone 9a. This was originally posted on August 24,
2013.

Not nutritional. Radial cracking is environment and variety dependent

[EarthBoxAdmin]

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Newbie, JonHodson. This was originally posted on August 24, 2013.

Oh well, a little trimming with sharp knife and all is well. They still taste way better than i can buy. Better luck next year.

[shrinkrap]

I am in N Cal too, and find the cracking worse with some of my striped tomatoes.  I also think that when the temps are above 100, even when I'm filling my boxes twice a day, in combination with the dry heat on the tomato skins, it might tipping  the balance in favor of splitting. I started filling three times a day, and it seemed better.

[gardendoc]

Some varieties are more prone to cracking. Might try picking at first blush and allow to ripen on the window sill or next to your coffee maker.