Today 95 percent of all American gardeners grow tomatoes; they are the most popular garden vegetable in Arkansas. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, four out of five people prefer tomatoes to any other homegrown food. Tomatoes rank number one in terms of their contribution of nutrients to the American diet, simply because we eat a lot of them. This is the time of year when many of us have questions about growing tomatoes and dealing with tomato problems. Here are a few frequently asked questions dealing with growing tomatoes:
Q. What causes the lower leaves of my tomato plants to roll up?
A. Leaf roll (curling of the leaflets) is a physiological condition that occurs most commonly when plants are trained and pruned. Any type of stress can cause leaf roll. It does not affect fruiting or quality, and it is not a disease.
Q. What causes the flowers to drop off my tomato plants?
A. During unfavorable weather (night temperatures lower than 55 degrees or above 72 degrees and day temperatures above 95 degrees with dry, hot winds), tomatoes do not set fruit and the flowers drop. The problem usually disappears as the weather improves
Q. What causes large, black spots on the bottom or blossom end of my tomatoes?
A. Blossom-end rot, a dry, leathery rot on the blossom end of the fruit, is common in homegrown tomatoes. It is caused by a combination of calcium deficiency and wide fluctuations in soil moisture. Severe pruning stresses the plants and increases the incidence of blossom-end rot. Some tomatoes are much more susceptible to this condition than others. Liming the soil, mulching and uniform watering help prevent blossom-end rot
Q. Will tomatoes become fully ripe and red if they are harvested early?
A. Yes. Fruits harvested at the first blush of pink will ripen fully. A tomato picked at the first sign of color and ripened at room temperature will be just as tasty and colorful as one left to fully mature on the vine. Picking tomatoes before they turn red reduces bird and squirrel damage.
Q. What causes a tomato fruit to crack? What can I do?
A. Cracking is a physiological disorder caused by soil moisture fluctuations. When the tomato reaches the mature green stage, reduce or cut off the water supply to the plant as the tomato begins to ripen. At this time, the skin around the outer surface of the tomato becomes thicker and more rigid to protect the tomato during and after harvest. If the water supply is restored after ripening begins, the plant resumes translocation of nutrients and moisture into the fruit. This causes the fruit to enlarge, and the skin splits around the fruit resulting in cracking. The best control for cracking is a constant and regular water supply. Apply a layer of organic mulch to the base of the plant. This serves as a buffer and prevents soil moisture fluctuations. Some varieties are resistant to cracking, and we try to recommend these varieties.
Q. My tomato plants look great. They are dark green, vigorous and healthy. However, flowers are not forming any fruit. What is the problem?
A. Several conditions can cause tomatoes to not set fruit. Too much nitrogen fertilizer, nighttime temperatures over 75 degrees, low temperatures below 50 degrees, irregular watering and not enough direct sunlight can cause poor fruit set.
Growing tomatoes can be a challenge but harvesting that first homegrown tomato and enjoying it with a meal or as a meal makes it well worth the effort. If you have questions, give me a call at 623-6841 or come by our office at 236 Woodbine.
If learning more about growing tomatoes and/or controlling your fire ant problem is something you would like to know more about, Garland County Cooperative Extension Service is doing two demonstrations in cooperation with the Garland County Detention Center. A comparison of four varieties of tomatoes and how pruning affects the quality and quantity of production will be demonstrated. Also, a demonstration of three products used for red imported fire ant control is being set up to help inform the public on controlling the fire ant problem. For more information contact the Garland County Cooperative Extension Service Office at 623-6841.
4-H information
We have several 4-H Clubs for our Garland county youths who are 5 to 19 years old. For more information on all the fun 4-H activities there are, call the Extension Office at 623-6841 or email Carol Ann McAfee at [email protected].
EHC information
Are you interested in joining an existing Extension Homemakers Club? EHC is the largest volunteer organization in the state. For information on EHC call 623-6841 or email [email protected].
Master Gardeners
If you're interested in becoming a Master Gardener and would like more information, you're welcome to attend their monthly meeting on the third Thursday of each month through Zoom. You may also call the Extension office at 623-6841 or email [email protected].