Why Are My Tomatoes Rotting Before They Ripen?

Crown Rot

• Crown rot begins with the wilting and yellowing of leaves on the tomato plant. As the disease progresses, it will begin to affect the fruits, starting close to the stem end of the tomato. Crown rot is caused by nutrition deficiencies as well as a bacteria. Often, it is a lack of nitrogen in the soil and overwatering that make the plant more susceptible to crown rot. Some strains of tomatoes are bred to be crown rot resistant, but this does not always apply to heirloom tomato varieties.

Cracking

• Cracking or splitting of tomato occurs in some cases before the tomato has fully ripened. Cracking happens as a result of uneven growth, or in some cases, because of the variety of tomato. As well, cracking most often occurs because of irregular irrigation or overwatering of the plant. If the tomato cracks too early on in its development, the tomato crack can become infected, causing the tomato to rot before it is fully ripe.

Blossom End Rot

• Blossom end rot begins on the bottom or blossom end of the tomato. It first appears as a light brown or tan blotch that is very watery. Overtime, it spreads to the rest of the tomato, turning black and leathery. If left untreated, it can affect other healthy tomatoes on the plant. Blossom end rot is a result of low calcium in the soil and overwatering of the tomato plant.

Sunscald

• Sunscald occurs most often on the shoulders or the top portion of unripe tomatoes. It leaves brown, hard and leathry patches on the tops of the tomatoes. Sunscald takes place when tomatoes do not have sufficient protection from direct sunlight through leaves. Sunscald happens when the sunlight is too intense in the region. However, most commonly, sunscald occurs when there has been excessive pruning or pinching of the tomato plant.