Misshapen tomatoes are a bane this summer and the rot is really setting in early .

Cause of the Problem

• This is my first attempt at growing beef tomatoes. Did I chose a difficult variety with ‘Marmande’ which I now know is known for it’s different shape.
• After an early start my plants looked fine until sun shine caught me out. I needed to install greenhouse shading earlier but thought I could rectify and catch up OK.
• Many leaves curled turned brittle both for me and in my neighbors greenhouse.
• Water and feed was readily available but not in the right  way to avoid problems.

Action Plan

• I will settle for fewer plants and cull the worst culprits.
• I have increased the feed and seaweed nutrients.
• At the end of the season I will consider not growing these tomatoes again.
• Our local show has a category for misshaped vegetables – will this fruit be according to classification.

Blossom End Rot

• Too little calcium is the normal reason for this problem shown below. The strange weather may have contributed this year.
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Tomato Husbandry Problems

• Planting out in the cold will shock the plants and although they may live they wont thrive. Avoid impatience.
• Inconsistent watering can create problems the most frequent being blossom end rot. Keep soil evenly moist. Ventilate well and water in the evening.
• Forgetting to pinch out side shoots on cordons cuts down on the size of crop.
• Tomatoes are heavy feeders – follow the instructions on a high potash, liquid  feed.
• Over crowding can reduce overall number of tomatoes
• Poor pollination can be helped by gently tapping open flowers and misting the plants.