How to stop my toms from splitting?

[taff]

If they're outside, a good soaking three times -ish [very rough measurement that] a week shoud be ok.
If you put something around the bottom of them to slow evaporation that should help too.
All you need tot watch out for is blight
And there's a handy post about that by zazen999 on how to construct a plastic sheety type thing to avoid it.

[esbo]

If they're outside, a good soaking three times -ish [very rough measurement that] a week shoud be ok.
If you put something around the bottom of them to slow evaporation that should help too.
All you need tot watch out for is blight
And there's a handy post about that by zazen999 on how to construct a plastic sheety type thing to avoid it.

Hmm sound a bit of hassle, you will have to lift it to water or when it rains.

However I have been reading about it, apparently too much sun can be an issue, however again it's
hassle to prevent that methinks.

However instead of covering with plastic mulching sounds like a better option, I like the idea of scattering some of the stuff that would have gone on the compost heap around them, that should slow evaporation and also allow me to water easily. Furthermore it should be good for the soil too, it seems more natural to scatter compost type stuff below the plant.
Plus it should maybe slow the absorption of water from a downpour?
I think that's a good idea.

[RaptorUK]

I have had issues with splitting of cherry toms also, the variety I grew in the Greenhouse last year and this is Sweet Baby . . . the term "irregular watering" is a bit misleading . . . a soaking once a week at the same time and same day is very regular, but insufficient. Perhaps a better explanation of the problem would be to say "insufficient/infrequent watering" ?

I plant in the ground in my GH, am I correct to assume that I can err on the side of giving more water and that excess should drain away ? in other words I am safe to water more often, perhaps first thing in the morning and last thing at night every day ? rather than once a day as I usually do ?

[Scarlet]

I only water once a day in my GH. I've got plastic milk bottle sunk in the ground which I water into directly and I cover all earth with several layers of newspapers to stop the top drying out. A good soak is better than little and often. I've not grown sweet baby, but they may be a variety that splits easily.

[RaptorUK]

I only water once a day in my GH. I've got plastic milk bottle sunk in the ground which I water into directly . . .

I use 2 L Spring water bottles in the ground no mulch though, will give that a try this year, thanks.

[esbo]

Hmm sound a bit of hassle, you will have to lift it to water or when it rains.

However I have been reading about it, apparently too much sun can be an issue, however again it's
hassle to prevent that methinks.

However instead of covering with plastic mulching sounds like a better option, I like the idea of scattering some of the stuff that would have gone on the compost heap around them, that should slow evaporation and also allow me to water easily. Furthermore it should be good for the soil too, it seems more natural to scatter compost type stuff below the plant.
Plus it should maybe slow the absorption of water from a downpour?
I think that's a good idea.

lol just read my old post, I have not actually done this yet, too busy, but it will also make the place look a mess. But I might try it.

I have some compost type stuff in a pile so I might as well move that pile and spread it around a bit.

I have been thinking (dangerous I know) but I think bare soil is just about the worst thing you can have.
You would be better off with grass probably.

[esbo]

I have had issues with splitting of cherry toms also, the variety I grew in the Greenhouse last year and this is Sweet Baby . . . the term "irregular watering" is a bit misleading . . . a soaking once a week at the same time and same day is very regular, but insufficient. Perhaps a better explanation of the problem would be to say "insufficient/infrequent watering" ?

I plant in the ground in my GH, am I correct to assume that I can err on the side of giving more water and that excess should drain away ? in other words I am safe to water more often, perhaps first thing in the morning and last thing at night every day ? rather than once a day as I usually do ?

I was think maybe the problem is if you let them dry out a bit so the skins set, but not sure if that is the case.

You are at an advantage in a greenhouse, I my problem was caused by a bit of late summer torrential rain, probably about 10 times what I normally give them in a watering.

Then I also have this idea about not having bare earth, having grass slows things down and holds water.


I think it is a bit like these floods we had a while back in mid endland, some of the blame was attributed the chopping down of trees. Which used to hold the water
So grass could do a similar thing?