Question about Tomato Growth and SWCs

brismith70 · May 23, 2011

I have seen quite a bit of informational posts regarding SWCs and BER. What I have not seen are posts regarding SWCs and another issue typically encountered in growing heirloom tomatoes - cracking and splitting.

Am I correct to assume that cracking and splitting does not occur as frequently in SWCs due to the constant water that the plant has available to it? Has anyone had any experience with this using, for example, Raybo's EarthTainers?

If cracking and splitting does not occur as frequently in heirloom tomatoes using SWCs, then why aren't more market growers using a system like this? Just curious.

Brian

rnewste · May 23, 2011

On the SWC "negatives", BER is definitely more prone.

On the "positives" I have experienced far less cracking, etc. in SWCs than from my prior in-ground bed.

Raybo

lowlylowlycook · May 24, 2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by rnewste

On the SWC "negatives", BER is definitely more prone.

On the "positives" I have experienced far less cracking, etc. in SWCs than from my prior in-ground bed.

Raybo

Have you tried any varieties that are prone to cracking like Soldacki? I'm thinking that controlling cracking might be a good excuse to make some more Earthtainers for next year. You know, beyond the usual, "Well I already have 100 wire rope clips so might as well".

les matzek · May 24, 2011

in the last 4 years i have had no more
than 3 to 4 tomatoes with ber in my
minitainers and they was always the
first fruit and then there was no more
ber as far as cracking fruit i get very
little of it in both det. and indet.good
luck.

les

May 23, 2011	#1
brismith70 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Cambridge, MA Posts: 71	Question about Tomato Growth and SWCs I have seen quite a bit of informational posts regarding SWCs and BER. What I have not seen are posts regarding SWCs and another issue typically encountered in growing heirloom tomatoes - cracking and splitting. Am I correct to assume that cracking and splitting does not occur as frequently in SWCs due to the constant water that the plant has available to it? Has anyone had any experience with this using, for example, Raybo's EarthTainers? If cracking and splitting does not occur as frequently in heirloom tomatoes using SWCs, then why aren't more market growers using a system like this? Just curious. Brian

May 23, 2011	#2
rnewste Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Campbell, CA Posts: 4,064	On the SWC "negatives", BER is definitely more prone. On the "positives" I have experienced far less cracking, etc. in SWCs than from my prior in-ground bed. Raybo

May 24, 2011	#4
les matzek Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Landers, CA Posts: 191	in the last 4 years i have had no more than 3 to 4 tomatoes with ber in my minitainers and they was always the first fruit and then there was no more ber as far as cracking fruit i get very little of it in both det. and indet.good luck. les