Gardening can be a very relaxing hobby, and becomes even more satisfying when you are able to eat the fruits of your labor. In the process of learning how to produce the best growing tomatoes possible, you may have wondered what is sunscald and are there any ways to avoid it.
Sunscald is prevalent worldwide. It occurs when the tomatoes are exposed to direct sunlight in dry, unusually hot weather. This condition generally manifests itself on green and ripening tomatoes.
Signs and Progression of Sunscald
- white or yellow hard, light patches appear on the sides of the tomato that face the sun
- the patches form blisters and become indented
- the blisters become grayish white and paper thin
- black mold may grow in the papery patches and cause the tomato to rot and become inedible
To enjoy the best growing tomatoes you possibly can, it is important to know not only what sunscald is, but, to learn how it can be avoided.
Six Tips for Avoiding Sunscald
1) prune your tomato plants sparingly so the remaining leaves can still offer shade for the tomatoes
2) use straw, a lightweight screen, or a shade cloth to build a tent over the tomato plants
3) try to control any leaf diseases with fungicide spray
4) use a wire cage for the tomato plants, as it provides good leaf protection
5) pick the tomatoes while still green and let them finish ripening indoors with indirect sunlight
6) try growing tomato plants upside down – the plant leaves and the container the plant is in will shade the tomatoes quite well
Tomatoes that have been affected by sunscald are still edible and the taste should not be affected – simply remove the areas that have patches. If the sunscald has progressed to the point that you notice black mold or rot, it is better not to eat it. In spite of the loss of a few tomatoes due to sunscald, with good care, most tomato plants will provide you with an abundant harvest.