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donnamarienj

Stupice Catfacing

16 years ago

I have three stupice plants on which each and every tomato, from the largest (5 ounces or so) to the smallest marble-sized), is catfaced. The remainder of my stupice plants are (so far) ok.

In addition, my lucky cross has several catfaced maters as well as my brandywine sudduth.

Some of these plants are in-ground, some are in containers.

Should I just get rid of the plants? Or is there something I can do? As of this point, on three of my plants, every fruit is coming out deformed. Is there hope?

Comments (7)

  • 16 years ago

    There's nothing wrong with catfacing other than it is ugly. From what I understand it is caused by cool weather when the tomato first developed. So since the weather has been hotter than Hades lately, I don't think you'll need to worry about catfacing on the rest of your tomatoes : )
    Remy

  • 16 years ago

    Remy, it hasn't been near "cool" lately. Even my tiniest maters are horribly disfigured. Every fruit that set since I put the plants outside in May are deformed on several plants. I never had that happen before. Could it be something I did wrong?

  • 16 years ago

    Sorry didn't notice you remarked how tiny they were in the first post. Another cause is excessive nitrogen. Did you over fertilize? If you did, that should wear off too since it would get depleted over time. So hopefully the rest of you tomatoes look normal. As I said though, it doesn't effect taste. I've had some very yummy tomatoes that were super ugly.
    Remy

  • 16 years ago

    I can see a mistake like that happening, but to have over fertilized only stupice plants? in different parts of the garden? Yes, I did fertilize on 6/20 after I saw flowers. I then saw my first fruits on 6/26. So, that makes sense, time-wise, I guess. But, does that count for every fruit being catfaced up to July 11?

    And yes, I do have several other catfaced maters on other plants. But to lose all of those fruits on the stupice is killing me.

    However, you say the fruit is edible, so I will definitely try it. I have my first almost red stupice now. Just have to get past the ugliness, I guess :(

    Could I have done something else? Will it go away like BER?

  • 16 years ago

    Yes, I did fertilize on 6/20 after I saw flowers. I then saw my first fruits on 6/26.

    That is the most likely cause right there - the timing of your feeding. The blooms got hit with N. That can not only cause blossom drop - so you are lucky you got any fruit set - but the catfacing you are seeing.

    Feed AFTER fruit sets and begins to develop, not after blooms show.

    And yes, there is nothing wrong with the fruit except appearance. And yes, the plants will grow out of it and adapt assuming you time your feedings better and do it between fruit set periods which run in approx. 6 week cycles. ;)

    Timing is difficult with containers without hitting blooms which is one reason why using diluted feedings is recommended.

    Dave

  • 16 years ago

    PS: using any weed killers near the plants or drift from weed killers can also cause it.

  • 16 years ago

    I am not using any weed killers (but my hands)!

    THANK YOU! I learned something new - (I feel stupid)

    I'm happy that my plants will grow out of it. The three of them look nasty.

    Kisses to you all!

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