Page 11 - Simply Vegetables Winter 2021/22

Some better examples which very quickly Catfacing I can see where the name comes from, fully ripened in the kitchen window but to me it looks more human than a cat!!
Catfacing of Tomatoes
Summer 2021 saw me growing some Beefsteak tomatoes for
the first time in many years, the variety I grew were Beefmaster. Although very pleased with the majority of the crop produced, with some weighing in at 1lb. Several of the first tomatoes to appear and swell to a good size
had developed a condition which I now know to be called Catfacing, and a condition I had not personally experienced in the past. Unfortunately, I failed to make a note of when they were planted out in my garden, but I can recall some mornings with a very slight nip in the air but nothing close to
a late frost. I must confess I recall probably not hardening them off all well as I should of, with a lack of space left in the greenhouse they needed to go out!!
Apparently, it is a disorder which is more associated with certain beefsteak varieties and caused
by being planted too early when outside temperatures are too
low which disrupts the correct pollination of the flower. Other reasons for this disorder can be associated with an excess of nitrogen in the soil, and heavy defoliation of the plant.
I will certainly hold back when they get planted out next year!!
A bit more information on catfacing...
Tomato catfacing is a physiological disorder (not caused by an insect, fungi, bacteria or virus) of field and greenhouse tomatoes. This disorder has not been extensively researched as it is not that common so is not fully understood. Incidence of catfacing can increase chances of fruit becoming infected by fungal diseases.
Identification
A tomato is considered “catfaced” if the blossom scar is enlarged and the fruit becomes extremely misshapen, but fruit distortion is not necessary to classify it as catfaced.
Causes
Cold temperatures during flowering have been shown to increase incidence of catfacing, as have extreme fluctuations in night and day temperature. Under some conditions, pruning and high nitrogen levels can increase incidence of the disorder. Additionally, damage from thrips to the side of the pistil of flowers can cause catfacing. Also, periods of very fast growth with high temperatures and moisture levels.
Prevention
• Avoid excessive pruning
• Avoid excessive nitrogen fertilization
• Avoid low greenhouse temperatures for both greenhouse tomatoes
and transplants. Don’t plant into high tunnels too early if you’re not
able to heat them.
Use cultivars that are less prone to catfacing. Heirloom varieties tend to be more prone to catfacing than non-heirloom varieties.
Letters
Dear Editor,
I have read the recent articles in SV on the subject of no-dig with a lot of interest. I have no intention of adding to the debate, as far as I’m concerned you garden how you want to garden and if no-dig works for you then great, get on with it, carry on and prosper! Personally, I’m a traditionalist and look forward to digging over in the Autumn or Spring, the exercise usually comes in handy at a time when you’ve piled on a few pounds over the Summer or Winter. That’s my way, it works, and has done for centuries as far as I’m concerned.
What I’m writing about is
how vocal and, it has to be said, downright nasty, a lot of no-diggers have become on social media in particular. Their ‘holier-than-thou’ insistence on no-dig being the
best way has really shocked me
at times, and some of the threads on Facebook and Twitter that
I’ve witnessed have been nothing short of bullying. Indeed, one
of the contributors in the last SV said that he ‘sternly encourages new plot holders to practise it’, a strange choice of words but quite revealing. Ever thought of saying something like “have you ever considered trying this method?” and leaving people to find out what works for themselves? Since when has brow beating ever worked?
I follow one young grower with mental health issues on Twitter who is doing an RHS course and proudly displayed a photo of a double-dug bed that she had to do as part of her coursework. This prompted one ‘follower’ to implore a certain no-dig guru to ‘show these heathens the error of their ways’ which he duly did, accusing her of ‘massacring wildlife underground’. I found this totally uncalled for and had a go back at him, whereupon he suddenly went very quiet but he’s in my firing line now! Granted, the odd worm might get chopped in half but there are plenty more for crying out loud. Mark my words, they’ll be gluing themselves to the M25, demanding the Government bans double-digging and tearing down statues of Jethro Tull next! Simon Smith
Simply Vegetables 11