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Hollow/Dry San Marzanos?
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Posted by mrs.b_in_wy 5a WY (My Page) on Sat, Oct 17, 09 at 0:03
| Tomato amateur here, so please bear with me :)
We tried San Marzano for the first time this year. We had a poor gardening year here (unusually cool), as did many other people, so I don't if this is normal for the variety. Anyway, we didn't get the first blushing fruit until the first of September (followed by slightly more than 90 lbs. of green tomatoes scavenged right before the first killing frost). Many of the San Marzanos felt really light for their size. When I sliced a few up, they were like peppers on the inside. "Hollow locules" might be the right term, but if it isn't, I hope someone corrects me before I make the mistake again :)
Is this normal for the variety? We only had a couple other varieties for comparison (roma and some volunteers I can't identify), but San Marzano is the only one that is hollow on the inside.
Thanks! |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Hollow/Dry San Marzanos?
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- Posted by docux 4 NW Iowa (My Page) on
Sat, Oct 17, 09 at 21:52
| I had Opalkas first time this yr. I had the same complaint about them, was extra cool here My Romas & Celebrity's were good as usual. Willl try Op. again, sorry I can't help |
RE: Hollow/Dry San Marzanos?
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| I believe this hollowness in tomatoes is called "puffiness". I had it too this year in my Opalkas. Based on another thread here recently I understand it is due to environmental factors, including cool weather. TomNJ |
RE: Hollow/Dry San Marzanos?
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| Thanks so much for your replies docux and TomNJ. I'll probably try them again, though I've been reading that the San Marzano Redorta would probably be better. Based also on what I've been reading here, if I'm able to get seeds, I'll give Opalkas a try next year. Thanks again! |
RE: Hollow/Dry San Marzanos?
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| I've grown Opalkas in the past and never had any issues. Only issue was i had too many of them :) I think i still have seed and may try them again this year,along with San Marzanos... |
RE: Hollow/Dry San Marzanos?
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| Thanks franktank. As issues go, too many tomatoes is kind of a nice one to have :) I'm waiting for the canner to depressurize so I can pull the rest of this morning's work (10 pints of sauce) out of it. I've heard so much good about Opalka, I'm going to make a point of locating seed for next year. Thanks again! |
RE: Hollow/Dry San Marzanos?
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| anything that causes poor pollination can contribute. It was probably the cooler weather and (if applicable) lower light (cloudy days). It is worth noting that high nitrogen and/or low potassium can also contribute. |
RE: Hollow/Dry San Marzanos?
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| Thank you mulio. We definitely had the cooler weather. Cloudy days pretty much all of June. Now the nitrogen-potassium ratio is something to consider. I topdressed the beds with a few inches of finished compost and fertilized with 3-4-4 about once a month. Thinking of seeing if the county extension agent can do soil tests come spring. I must say, though, those puffy tomatoes have been easy to process for sauce. |
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