Home And Garden Site

[Home]  [Previous]

Questions and Discussions

Subject: "How to avoid or treat tough skins on my cherry tomato?"     Previous Topic | Next Topic
Printer-friendly copy     Email this topic to a friend    
Conferences Vegetables Topic #49
Reading Topic #49
Patrick
Guest
 Jul-18-03, 03:39 PM (EST)
 
"How to avoid or treat tough skins on my cherry tomato?"
 
   I have some cherry tomatoes growing in my *mostly organic* garden and the skins on the ripe tomatoes are unpleasantly tough. The tomatoes still have a nice flavor inside, but the skin is almost like plastic. Also, the leaves are turning yellow in some places.

A little background: I used home-made organic composted soil to fill in my garden and then used store bought cherry tomatoes that had fertilizer included (yes, I regret not getting organic tomatoes or starting from seed). Now the worms have all disappeared from the soil and some of the tomato plant's leaves are turning a bit yellow. I live near the coast in San Diego. Please advise me. Thanks!!!


  Alert | IP Printer-friendly page | Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
Diane Franklin -- USDA Zone 5
Member since Feb-3-02
574 posts		 Jul-19-03, 09:40 PM (EST)
Click to EMail Diane%20Franklin Click to send private message to Diane%20Franklin Click to view user profileClick to add this user to your buddy list  
1. "RE: How to avoid or treat tough skins on my cherry toma"
In response to message #0
 
   Hi,
Tough skins on your tomatoes could be just a characteristic of the paticular culitvar. Have you grown this type before? We grow Sungold cherry tomatoes and I must admit that the skins are a little tough but the flavor is so superior to any others that I am willing to put up with it. I used to think Sweet 100's were the only cherry toms to grow until I tried Sungold, YUM!!!!

Don't worry too much about using the nursery grown plants. That little bit of "commercial" soil isn't enough to kick yourself for. Sounds like you are doing a good job of taking care of your soil.

Happy Gardening, Diane


  Alert | IP Printer-friendly page | Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
Diane Franklin -- USDA Zone 5
Member since Feb-3-02
574 posts		 Jul-19-03, 10:10 PM (EST)
Click to EMail Diane%20Franklin Click to send private message to Diane%20Franklin Click to view user profileClick to add this user to your buddy list  
2. "RE: How to avoid or treat tough skins on my cherry toma"
In response to message #1
 
   Hi,
Just remembered you asked about yellow leaves....Yellow leaves on any plant often (but not the only reason) means lack of nitrogen.

Have you grown this cultivar of tomato before? Just wondering if you experienced tough skins before on this type???

Diane


  Alert | IP Printer-friendly page | Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
Ionegardener -- USDA Zone 9
Member since Jun-9-05
4 posts		 Jun-29-05, 11:26 PM (EST)
Click to EMail Ionegardener Click to send private message to Ionegardener Click to view user profileClick to add this user to your buddy list  
5. "RE: How to avoid or treat tough skins on my cherry toma"
In response to message #1
 
   I have the same problem and they are especially the Sun Gold cherry tomatoes. I read Diane's response after I posted my same question--- sorry!

Oh, the tomatoes are the best I've ever had.


  Alert | IP Printer-friendly page | Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
Patrick
Guest
 Jul-21-03, 05:21 PM (EST)
 
3. "Thanks Diane!"
In response to message #0
 
   I really appreciate your advice. In response to your follow up questions: no, I have not tried this variety of tomato before so perhaps the skin is always this tough.

As for the yellow leaves, I am inclined to agree with you about the lack of Nitrogen. I was wondering what type of Nitrogen rich fertilizer you might suggest for an organic approach? I've looked around and concluded that some liquid fish extract might be the way to go -- any thoughts??? Thanks again!


  Alert | IP Printer-friendly page | Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
Diane Franklin -- USDA Zone 5
Member since Feb-3-02
574 posts		 Jul-27-03, 06:32 PM (EST)
Click to EMail Diane%20Franklin Click to send private message to Diane%20Franklin Click to view user profileClick to add this user to your buddy list  
4. "RE: Thanks Diane!"
In response to message #3
 
   Hi Patrick,
Nitrogen rich organic fertilizers can be found but often you have to search for them. The most powerful liquid organic nitrogen we have come across is from MetaNaturals (http://www.metanaturals.com) called “Organic Nitrogen” but very expensive. We use liquid kelp and fish emulsion from Fertrell. We have to drive about 40 minutes to get them because we can’t find them closer but at least we can get them.

There are also some other things that supply nitrogen but not as fast. Compost, Alfalfa meal, Bat Guano, Blood Meal, Cottonseed Meal, Feather Meal, Hoof and Horn Meal. We just mixed up a mix for a side dressing comprised of mostly compost, and then some Alfalfa, and Blood Meal. This will be for some plants that don’t look as healthy as they should; the soil wasn’t the best there so we need to give them some extra help.

Bye, Diane


  Alert | IP Printer-friendly page | Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

Conferences | Topics | Previous Topic | Next Topic