San Marzano Plum Tomatoes
I've been growing the San Marzano variety of plum tomato for many years and have nearly always had the same problem. The inside of the fruits often turn black with what looks like a mold of some sort. Eventually, the whole bottom of the tomato turns black. I can out the bad part, but it's a nuisance when trying to process a lot of tomatoes. Many are so bad that I just throw away the whole tomato. I don't have the same problem with other varieties such as Roma or Debarao.
Does anyone know if there's anything I can do to prevent the problem, or should I just give up on San Marzanos? Not all of the fruits are affected, but I'd guess it's about 50%. I'm wondering whether it's from too much or too little water or perhaps humidity-related. I'm reluctant to use fungicides; I'd rather just grow a variety that doesn't require their use.
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re: yellowstone
agree. It's definitely BER.
I also grow San Marzano tomatoes and have had such issues in the past. The best way I corrected my problem was mixing in a little epsom salts into the soil a few weeks before transplanting and hooking up soaker hoses for watering, and keeping on a strict watering schedule.
I haven't had any BER problems since.-
re: Novelli
It's obviously too late for this year to do anything. I was thinking of going to Plant Science Day at the state Agricultural Extension Station on August 1 and bringing along along a sample of an affected tomato. If they confirm your advice, you're a certified genius, IMO. What do you mean by "a little" epson salts? Are you talking about something like a tablespoon per plant, a cup per plant, or what? This is really hurting because the plants are totally LOADED with fruit this year. So far, at least 50% are bad. Debarao, one of the other varieties I planted, seems to be completely immune to the problem. It's a plum type tomato, but it's not as dry as the San Marzano. Actually, it's more like a cross between a salad and a plum tomato with excellent flavor and productivity. I was ready to give up forever on San Marzamos.
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re: stukin
Never too late.
BER usually means there is either a lack of calcium in the soil, or your plant is unable to utilize the calcium in the soil. The magnesium found in epsom salts helps this a bit by allowing the plant to suck up the calcium.
I've read of people actually grinding up some Tums or Rolaids, sprinkling around the plants, and then watering it in to provide the extra calcium boost (same with crushed egg shells). But without knowing your soil structure, it's hard to comment on wether you actually need the calcium or if your plant is having difficulties absorbing it through the root system.
The best I can tell you for next year is till in some garden lime, toss in a tablespoon of epsom in the hole at the time of planting, and keep the plants on a strict and even watering schedule.
I would still go to the Plant Science Day and ask around for info. They may be able to better illustrate the issue and it's resolution.
On a side note, here's a website with interesting info regarding BER and epsom salts.
http://suite101.com/article/prevent-g...
Best of luck!
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re: Novelli
It seems strange that the San Marzanos are the only tomatoes that I'm having a problem with. I have 108 plants of 13 different varieties, and they're all planted in the same type of soil. I move them around each year and alternate with other veggies for no particular reason. It also seems strange that some of the tomatoes are perfect while others on the same plant, and even in the same cluster, are affected. Maybe I should be happy that not all of my tomatoes will be edible... I live alone and share them with just one other person. 108 plants does seem a bit absurd when I think about it. The squirrels and chipmunks are fat and happy, and there's still plenty for me.
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re: stukin
I hear ya. It's all trial and error. Learn new things each year.
Do you have a forest type area near your home/garden? Very hot temperatures?
If you want to keep the squirrels and chipmunks from sampling your tomatoes, you could set out a couple of containers of water for them to drink instead and usually they'll leave the plants alone. In these hot temperatures lately, their probably looking for something to quench their thirst.Rubber snakes (or a cut up old hose) placed around the garden will make them think twice about entering. Just be sure to move them around every couple days so they're not always in the same spots.
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re: Novelli
Brilliant idea! I never had a problem with squirrels until about maybe 15-20 years ago. We had an unusually long drought with some hot temps. That was the first time I ever had any squirrels problems. At first I thought is was racoons, so I trapped and removed several of them. It wasn't until a few months later that I saw a squirrel eating a tomato while sitting on a stump near the garden. Ever since then, the squirrels have come back each year. I knew intuitively that they were after moisture, but it never occurred to me to put out water. What I've done instead has been to just plant more and more tomatoes in the hope that the squirrels would eventually reach their full capacity. They'd usually wipe out all the tomatoes on the plants, but they'd leave the late fruit alone. I guess they weren't smart enough to figure out that plants will keep producing even after the tomatoes are picked clean. I like the idea of water. Gonna try it right now. Where can I buy some snakes?
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re: stukin
Love your spunk, stukin! We, however, tried the fake snake thing, along with the fake owl thing. Our problem was rabbits eating the tomatoes (and of course, one bite out of 12 tomatoes rather than eating 2-3 whole tomatoes). Then we saw one enterprising rabbit standing ON TOP of the fake owl, eating away at a tomato. Maybe the Burmese pythons would work better! Ain't gardening fun?
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re: pine time
Your rabbits are much smarter than mine. My big problem is with squirrels and chipmunks. I never saw a rabbit climbing anything. If you use tomato cages, try placing a low fence of chicken wire around the cage. You could also do the same with plants that are staked. I've found that to be highly effective at keeping rabbits at bay, but it won't do any good against woodchucks, squirrels, chipmunks and other climbing critters. My other weapon is a pair of pit bulls that love to kill animals. Their favorite prey is rabbits.
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