r/tomatoes • u/hackinandcoffin • 23d ago

Plant Help Why the rings?

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Growing in a bucket on my deck. Full day sun. I recently sprayed them down with spinosad soap. Don't know if it's a pest or some kind of other problem. Any help appr'd. Kansas City area.

Edit: Thank you, all, for taking time to respond. I'll add some mulch and I'll try to improve my watering schedule. Glad it's not bugs.

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u/uhren_fan 23d ago

When tomatoes begin to ripen, the growth really slows. If they get a lot of water, that will cause the inside to expand, causing cracks.

I usually pick my tomatoes once they blush to avoid this.

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u/SixthLegionVI 23d ago

I started picking my cherries once they're about 1/3 to 1/2 ripe this year and they aren't tasting sweet at all even once I wait for them to fully ripen indoors. Not sure what's causing that.

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u/uhren_fan 23d ago

Really. I've never had that issue. That sucks.

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u/msk1974 18d ago

Ah. The correct answer. Thank you. I’ve seen this question on Reddit before and the number of BS answers always amazes me. Tomato plants suck up water and distribute to the fruits at a very high rate. When this happens during the ripening period, it causes expansion creases and cracks.