Tomato – Splitting
Q: I have two tomato plants in 24 inch pots. They are doing very well but 75 percent of the fruit is split at the top near the stem. Is there any solution for this?
A: Fluctuations in soil moisture are the usual cause of splitting. Your pots are a bit small, making it hard to keep them watered all day. A mature tomato plant will suck up all of the moisture in such a container before nightfall each day. Punch a pinhole in a two liter soft drink bottle, fill it with water, and put it on the soil when you leave each morning. The slow drip of water will help keep the plants happy.