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pokerguard

What's eating my tomoatoes?

pokerguard
10 years ago

Okay, so finally get some tomatoes that do not split, and I've got something eating them - whether green or red.

Is it the birds here, or is it caterpillars?

About 1/4 - 1/2 of the tomato is gone or there's one hole in it, and then black in the middle.

Ugh.

Comments (11)

  • Fascist_Nation
    10 years ago

    Likely birds. They generally eat it more for moisture than the fruit itself. Provide a bird friendly fountain (you can make an insect friendly landing area too) and you can reduce the predation while encouraging pollinators and pest eating activity.

  • boids
    10 years ago

    got any pics

  • pokerguard
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    here's the tomato. The others, both red and green had 1/2 of the tomato gone.

    Should I wrap the tomatoes in window screen material?

  • greendesert
    10 years ago

    I put my tomatoes in paper bags after the first one attacked by birds. Mockingbirds are notorious for eating tomatoes. and they're bold too, they're not scared by crap like CDs and bird scare tape. I've had to do the same with my grapes, and i've had great results. Putting paper bags on them helps them ripen slower, so they aren't quite as sour. Also I've started picking mine early while they still have green shoulders and I ripen them indoors. they taste way better. The heat just force s them to ripen too fast and they end up tasting sour.

  • azbookworm
    10 years ago

    Could also be bugs that are attacking your tomatoes. I have never been lucky with large tomatoes just for this reason. I only grow the small cherry tomato types.

  • campv 8b AZ
    10 years ago

    I grow all kinds of tomatoes and have never seen a bird do that. I also have a ton of birds. I just keep looking at the photo and I don't think a bird did that. Tomato worms will do that, those big beatles will do that. It looks like it started to split and a critter finished the job

  • pokerguard
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    Thanks for all the responses. I protected a couple of tomatoes with screen, and they survived. I have my first tomatoes after years of trying.

    I did look for the tomato worms, as I've had them in the past, but none are present, so I'm guessing it was birds.

    The tomatoes are Pearson, but it does appear they are subject to splitting, just like all tomatoes out here in Phoenix. I'm going to try Solar Fire tomatoes next and see how they take the heat

  • AZGardenQueen
    10 years ago

    Try "Heat Master" by Bonnie Plants (HD and I think Lowes has it, too). Specifically bred to flower/set fruit at temps at 95 degrees and over; I planted 4 of them and have NO splitting and excellent fruit production so far. Not as flavorful as some of the heirloom varieties, but I guess we can't have everything. Here's a pic of the latest harvest. And that looks like birds to me, which is why I built a completely enclosed (walls, ceiling, door) steel cage for my veggie garden. Which is a bit extreme, but hey, when you've had enough and just want a lousy tomato - LOL!

  • phxlynne
    10 years ago

    I grew Solar Fire last year and they were great - prolific, with no splitting. I tried new varieties this year (especially loved Black Prince), but I'll plant Solar Fire again next year. In this picture from July of last year, they're the larger tomatoes on the right. The others are Husky Cherry, Black Cherry, and Bloody Butcher, which I also have good success with.

    I should add to the OP that I had the same problem with birds. I had to put netting up after losing so many last year.

  • grant_in_arizona
    10 years ago

    I thought birds too, but am far from an expert. I DID want to say how great your tomato harvest pics are Queenie and Lynne, great stuff! Thanks for sharing the variety names and information. Great job! Happy gardening all!

  • pokerguard
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    Thanks all for the responses. I think it is birds. I added some screen around a few tomatoes that were about to get ripe, and they've survived.

    While others were completely decimated.

    I'll try solar flare too!

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