Catfacing Tomatoes

Catfacing tomatoes

The disorder occurs when weather conditions interfere with proper pollination and fruit development. Cold weather (below 50°F) and hot weather (above 85°F) can both cause catfacing. Dramatic fluctuations in soil moisture can also cause tomatoes to develop cracks in the stem end of the fruit.

Can you eat catfacing tomatoes?

This plant disorder stands out because of the oddly deformed fruit. It is not as destructive as other diseases that can befall your tomatoes and strawberries—catfacing does not affect the taste, and the fruit is still safe to eat–but it's still a nuisance that you want to prevent.

How do you stop tomatoes from catfacing?

Management

Avoid excessive pruning.
Avoid excessive nitrogen fertilization.
Avoid low greenhouse temperatures for both greenhouse tomatoes and transplants. Don't plant into high tunnels too early if you're not able to heat them.
Use cultivars that are less prone to catfacing.

Should I remove catfacing tomatoes?

One must increase soil temperature and ambient temperature to successfully grow early tomatoes that are not badly catfaced. Remove all catfaced fruit immediately because they will not ripen uniformly and will divert plant resources away from developing fruits.