Don't know. But those tomatoes are both interesting yet kinda gross looking. Haha

Rodney

Did you have some periods of cooler temps during early flowering? Like some nights in the 50s? That is the most common cause of catfacing. The blossoms fuse, fruit fuse, or the blossom sticks to the developing fruit plus the fruit may not be completely pollinated. So parts of the fruit just never develop or develop abnormally.

Are there more than the normal 4 sepals? If so them fused blooms. Otherwise they both appear to have sticky blossoms parts incorporated into them.

I did some early bloom buzzing with a toothbrush and end up with several catfaced ones still on the vine.

Dave

You're probably right about temperatures. We did have record breaking cold temps in the mid-30s on May 17, about two weeks after plant out. I didn't think any of the plants had flowered yet, but I could have missed some. I removed several fused blooms on this plant and a few other beefsteak types early on. I've learned not to let them develop fruit.

I read on a university extension website that sucking insects, like stink bugs, can cause cat facing on stone fruits. I really hate stink bugs!

Low temps.

Cat facing is odd. I think it is the result of mega/fused blooms. I have only seen it on Silvery Fir Tree variety. But not very ugly ones though. :-)

I have cat facing on a few tomatoes that are coming in. Should they be removed now or allowed to grow to full size? I'm thinking just remove them.

"Should they be removed now or allowed to grow to full size?"

Your choice and depends on how badly deformed they are. If there is mostly usable fruit with only a bit of bottom damage that has sealed over I leave them. If damage is extensive, open and deep like in the photos then I pull and pitch them.

Dave

Thanks Dave!

I took these off. This is my first year growing German Johnsons so I'm not sure how usual the shape is, a few are clearly fused together.