Correction, my tomatoes that are blooming with large cracks are actually big boy tom's. thanks

BP

An overabundance of water can certainly make tomatoes crack because the fruit expands faster than the skin. And, yes, you should get rid of the cracked ones -- they won't develop normally for you. Give the rest of them some more time. The new fruits will develop normally when their watering is consistent but not overdone.

Thank you very much. Another question, what is cat facing of a tomatoe? is this another word for cracking?

Catfacing is not the same as cracking.

But they're all disfigurements of what we think of as a "perfect tomato". Unless the tomato flesh is open to the elements with cracking, most people just cut that part away and eat the rest. Some varieties are more prone to catfacing and cracking than others, and plant hybridizers have often bred most this tendency out of tomatoes, sometimes to the detriment of taste.

I thought that catfacing was caused by too much fertilzer until I was told that it is caused by poor (incomplete) pollination. Try shaking the plant or thumping just below the blossoms.

The cracking was likely caused by the rain giving more water than the plants were used to. Too much water may cause other problems also, such as Blossom End Rot.

Growing in containers can be a challenge, esp. trying to get that happy balance. Well drained while watering from the bottom (that's where the roots are) may be the best solution.

Good Luck,
Gumby_CT

I thought that catfacing was caused by too much fertilzer until I was told that it is caused by poor (incomplete) pollination. Try shaking the plant or thumping just below the blossoms.

*****

Catfacing is caused by pollination at too low a temperature and that usually occurs early in the season so it isn't unusual to see some first fruits that are catfaced.

Later fruits will be normal.

It affects mostly beefsteak varieties, and then not all beefsteak type varieties . Disturbance of the blossoms at the time of anthesis ( pollen shedding) can also cause it as well as too high of a soil N level.

But the main reason is low temps when self pollenization occurs.

Carolyn

Thanks Carolyn for clearing that up. I doubt that I will remember ALL of the details but I stand corrected.

Thanks Again,
Gumby_CT
ps. can I get partial credit ;-)
for mentioning fertilizer & pollination?

ps. can I get partial credit ;-)
for mentioning fertilizer & pollination?

****

Nope, no partial credit. LOL

I had to retire from teaching in 1999 due to bad hips and spine so I'm not even in a position to award you partial credit.

But oh have you reminded me of the students who tried to get partial credit for this and that. Such convoluted arguments that I don't think I'll ever hear again, for anything. LOL The med students were tops in trying to get those extra points. ( smile)

Carolyn

The cracking I am talking about on my big boys, is almost like someone took a knife and cut a slit into the bottom of the tomato, and it is very dark brown, almost blac in that area, but only inside the slit. Could this be Cat Facing?

Here is an excellent link.

Here is a link that might be useful: Physiological, Nutritional, and Other Disorders of Tomato Fruit

I thought that would put a smile on your face and bring back memories...so as they say in my world MC (Mission Complete)
;-)