Avatar for jld2112
Aug 13, 2016 7:19 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: James
(Zone 7b)
Need some help please .. Went to water the garden tonight and found this tomatoes with these cracks and black spots in them ... Don't have a clue on what they are.

Thumb of 2016-08-14/jld2112/517354
Image
Aug 14, 2016 4:33 PM CST
Moderator
Name: Sandi
Austin, Tx (Zone 8b)
Texas Gardening
Forum moderator Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Garden Ideas: Master Level Plant Identifier Master Gardener: Texas
Region: Texas Tropicals Plumerias Ferns Greenhouse Garden Art
Welcome James! We're glad you're here. I'm not sure what the answer is, but I do know someone who seems to be "a tomato expert!"
@Gymgirl should be able to answer your question. In case she doesn't see this post, there's also an active forum for Vegetables and Fruits.
My uneducated guess would be too much water. Have you had lots of rain?
Image
Aug 14, 2016 5:26 PM CST
Name: Linda
SE Houston, Tx. (Hobby) (Zone 9a)
"Godspeed, & Good Harvest!"
Region: Texas Vegetable Grower Seed Starter Garden Ideas: Master Level Canning and food preservation Gardens in Buckets
Tip Photographer Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Ferns
Hey, Guys!
I have NEVER seen that on a tomato before!!! If I had to guess, looks like the tomato split first then a fungus infiltrated the wounds...

And, whas' up with that bug? If I saw a probiscus, I'd think he injected that tomato with something... Confused
Image
Aug 14, 2016 7:53 PM CST
Moderator
Name: Sandi
Austin, Tx (Zone 8b)
Texas Gardening
Forum moderator Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Garden Ideas: Master Level Plant Identifier Master Gardener: Texas
Region: Texas Tropicals Plumerias Ferns Greenhouse Garden Art
@Gymgirl Appreciate you for checking in! Maybe the bug needs an ID now!

@jld2116 We do have a bug ID forum that may be able to tell you what kind of insect is crawling on your tomato.
Image
Aug 14, 2016 8:42 PM CST
Name: Kat
Magnolia, Tx (Zone 9a)
Winter Sowing Region: Texas Hummingbirder Container Gardener Gardens in Buckets Herbs
Moon Gardener Enjoys or suffers hot summers Heirlooms Vegetable Grower Bookworm
Bug looks like a leafhopper. Excessive too fast watering means cracks. Cant see but the tomato looks blistered as well. Where is your zone 7a? Do you have shield bugs(stink bugs) also?
So many roads to take, choices to make, and laughs to share!
Avatar for jld2112
Aug 15, 2016 8:32 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: James
(Zone 7b)
Thanks for the answers !!

The zone is actually 7b. We've had little to no rain the last month or so. I've really felt like I had not been watering enough. I've noticed no stink bugs on any of the plants. When I can get back to the PC that has the picture I'll post it over in the bug ID forum and see what they say.

Thanks
Image
Aug 15, 2016 8:40 AM CST
Name: Kat
Magnolia, Tx (Zone 9a)
Winter Sowing Region: Texas Hummingbirder Container Gardener Gardens in Buckets Herbs
Moon Gardener Enjoys or suffers hot summers Heirlooms Vegetable Grower Bookworm
It also looks like the tomato should have been harvested a lot sooner. There are wild animals- again not sure where you are as Tx has a lot of differences in same zones- such as squirrels, chipmunks, birds, coons, etc that will take a bite out of a tomato...
So many roads to take, choices to make, and laughs to share!
Image
Aug 15, 2016 9:20 AM CST
Name: Christine
North East Texas (Zone 7b)
Shine Your Light!
Heirlooms Native Plants and Wildflowers Organic Gardener Hummingbirder Bee Lover Herbs
Butterflies Dragonflies Birds Cat Lover Dog Lover Garden Photography
Hi James,

I don't think I've ever seen that on a tomato before. Well, the bug is a Katydid nymph. It is mostly known for eating leaves of plants. The tomato looks like it split and then browned but then there is what looks like to me a white mold or mildew growing also. This is often caused by over watering, as Bubbles said.

Like others said, you might have other issues such as stink bugs that will inject your tomatoes, causing them to get soft spots and rot.

p.s. Watering at night will also cause mold and mildew, especially in our Texas humidity. It's best to water in the morning or just as the sun goes down.
May your life be like a wildflower, growing freely in the beauty and joy of each day --Native American Proverb

Last edited by wildflowers Aug 15, 2016 9:24 AM Icon for preview
You must first create a username and login before you can reply to this thread.
  • Started by: jld2112
  • Replies: 7, views: 714
Member Login:

( No account? Join now! )

Today's site banner is by RootedInDirt and is called "Botanical Gardens"

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.