Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Quasi-Mato

Ever heard the admonitions, "Never judge a book by its cover" or " It doesn't matter what's on the outside; it's what's on the inside that counts"?

The same is ALSO true about tomatoes. 

He started out just like all the other beautiful little green babies; everyday growing larger with the warmth and nutrients provided by the sun and most careful watering. As the days grew longer and he grew larger, he also began to conceal himself into a beautiful, green and fragrant sanctuary, until I could no longer easily see him. I told him, "It's okay little Mato, I will see you again when you turn ripe and red".

Many weeks later, a hint of orange shown through the foliage. "There he is!" I thought, like a mother playing peek-a-boo, "Just a little while longer and my first beautiful Mato will be grown and ready to fulfill his purpose". Shortly thereafter, a magnificent red is seen peering through a small break between the leaves. 

Finally, it is time! 

Struggling to find an unimpeded way to release him from the shadows and join the rest of his brothers and sisters in the sunlight, I found it most difficult to coax him away from and through his densely grown fortress. "Don't you want to come out and see me? I've waited a long time to see you." Finally, and ever so carefully, I pulled him through the foliage, and to my chagrin, could not believe my eyes.....   

"OMGosh!... What happened?... What did I do wrong?", raced through my mind. 

Now I wonder if I had the same horrified look on my face as Frollo did when he first saw Quasimodo.

Quasi-Mato

The answer to the question, "What Happened" is....A LOT 

According to Stephen M. Olson, professor, Dept. of Horticultural Sciences, North Florida Research and Education Center, we have multiple problems occurring in the same fruit.

  • Catfacing - A deformity caused by something (internal or external) that results in the fruit not developing normally. The deformity is usually located on the blossom end of the fruit. FIX....There is not much that can be done, however, avoiding heavy pruning in indeterminate varieties, drifting herbicides such as 2,4-D, and Thrip control may help.

  • Radial Cracking - This happens when the internal growth is faster than the growth of the skin. Many factors can contribute to this deformity including: extreme fluctuations in temperature and soil moisture, not enough protective foliage, and choice of tomato variety. FIX... According to Prof. Olson, control is through the selection of tolerant varieties (Brandywine & Beefsteak are not), by reducing fluctuations in soil moister by mulching / consistent watering schedule, and adequate foliage cover. 

  • Zippering - Are thin scars that can extend from the stem scar to the blossom end. Again, according to Prof. Olson, usually an anther (the part of a stamen that contains the pollen) that is attached to the newly forming fruit causes the scar. Sometimes open holes will form in the locule (cavity that contains the seeds). FIX...Select varieties that are not prone to zippering. 

Tomato Fruit Anatomy
  • Western Flower Thrips - Adult flying insect about 0.03 inch long that lay their eggs in the skin of the tomato making a small dimple that enlarges as the fruit grows.  FIX... Weeding, Garden Tools, Organic Sprays, and Beneficial Insects.
For  more information on these problems/fixes and others, please refer to these
Helpful websites     

Physiological, Nutritional, and Other Disorders of Tomato Fruit

It is true, sadly, that at first sight, I judged Quasi-Mato by his outside appearance; too shocked to even be able to comprehend that he would be ok to consume, as is the job of all tomatoes. But. through patient research, I soon discovered that he would not harm anybody, and infact, COULD become an integral part of an amazingly delicious spaghetti sauce accompanied by his newly found friends, Roma Tomato, Basil and Oregano. 

After removing the green parts, cutting out the disfiguring holes in the locules, and adding a couple Roma Tomatoes we had enough ingredients to make a nice, chunky sauce.

Place ingredients into a food processor until chopped, then cook on medium heat until desired amount of liquid has been cooked out. Enjoy an amazingly sweet and fragrant meal chocked full of vitamins.

Check out this really AWESOME website for both the NEWB & LETE Tomato Growers!

It'll take you from choosing YOUR tomato - "Tomato Masters" growing contest.



Please leave a comment/question
&
If you happen to know which varieties are NOT prone to zippering, please, Please, PLEASE, share your knowledge!
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