Content
White, hard veins appear in tomatoes for a variety of reasons, and not all of them depend on care. For example, plants can suffer from heat and temperature changes, as well as incurable diseases. A description of the main causes and effective prevention measures can be found in this article.
Why do tomatoes have white and hard veins inside their flesh?
The reasons why tomatoes have a rather hard white core inside can be very different. Sometimes they are associated with diseases or unfavorable growing conditions. Although there may be objective factors caused by cultural characteristics. The most common reasons are described below.
Features of the variety
The reasons that tomatoes have white veins inside may be related to the characteristics of the variety. The fact is that when developing new varieties, it is necessary to obtain hybrids that have good shelf life and transportability.Therefore, producers are forced to develop varieties with a hard white center and hard veins.
They are well suited for long-term fresh storage and can sit on the counter for several weeks. However, summer residents do not like such varieties, since they are really very hard.
The ripeness of a tomato is determined by the intensity of color and the nature of the cut.
To prevent the core of tomatoes from being hard and white, you need to carefully study the description. If it states that the variety is “super-fast,” this clearly indicates that the fruits will be hard. They will have hard white flesh with veins inside. Therefore, it is better to choose classic juicy tomatoes, for example, Malachite Box, Antonovka honey, Casta F1 and many others.
immaturity
This is a very common reason why the core of tomatoes remains white and hard. Indeed, many fruits do not have time to ripen due to unfavorable weather or late timing. However, some tomatoes are picked while still green, and they have time to ripen quite well at home. This method is called “ripening”.
Exposure to heat
Tomatoes may also develop hard white streaks inside due to extreme heat. In such weather, plants are deprived of moisture, so the fruits become less juicy. Typically, such phenomena are observed during a long drought, when during the day the temperature rises steadily above +30 degrees for 10-15 days or more.
Under such conditions, pollen becomes sterile, i.e.new ovaries are not formed, and productivity decreases. If some fruits have already formed, they begin to ripen quickly, since the plant directs all its forces to produce seeds. This is why the core of tomatoes becomes white and hard.
It is impossible to completely protect against this, but it is quite possible to take preventive measures. It is important to observe the watering norm and regularly ventilate the greenhouse. Then, even in the heat, you will be able to collect juicy tomatoes without a hard white core.
Lack or excess of microelements
Tomatoes are quite demanding plants; they react poorly to both deficiency and excess of nutrients. The appearance of a white core with hard veins is often associated with an imbalance of two important elements - calcium and potassium. Heat also significantly aggravates the situation, because during drought they are absorbed much worse.
A lack of potassium leads to a decrease in yield, since the ovaries lag behind in development. Another consequence of a deficiency of this element is the appearance of a hard white core in tomatoes. The fruits become unevenly colored, and a yellow and dry border appears along the edges of the leaves. Another sign is deformation of young foliage (the plates are wrapped in a tube).
A lack of calcium can also lead to the appearance of a white, hard core. Deficiency can be determined by such a dangerous disease as blossom end rot of tomatoes (the noses turn black and become dry). Young foliage becomes covered with yellow spots and looks as if it has been burnt. Old leaf blades, on the contrary, become a rich dark green color.
Tomatoes affected by blossom end rot
Phytoplasmosis (stolbur)
Fruits with white streaks appear on tomatoes due to diseases. One of them is the dangerous viral infection stolbur. Its main features are:
- thickening of stems;
- leaves become smaller;
- leaf blades turn purple;
- the flowers become lighter and often grow together.
It will not be possible to cure the bushes - they will have to be uprooted, burned, and the soil must be treated, for example, with a solution of potassium permanganate (1 g per 1 liter). Otherwise, they will infect healthy plants, the fruits of which will also have a white, hard core.
Fusarium
Another dangerous disease of tomatoes is fusarium. Due to the disease, white streaks appear in the fruits. It is a fungal infection that manifests itself with the following symptoms:
- yellowing and drying of the lower foliage;
- withering of the entire bush;
- browning of the transverse trace;
- the core of the tomatoes becomes white and hard.
The disease is incurable, so the affected plants must be dug up and destroyed. To prevent the appearance of a white core with hard veins, it is recommended to add dolomite flour and lime to the soil. Seeds should also be disinfected before planting.
What to do if tomatoes have white core and veins
If tomatoes have a white, hard core, they are safe to eat. But it’s even better to let the fruits ripen, and only then use them in different dishes. To successfully ripen, you can act in different ways:
- Place the tomatoes in a box, drawer or on shelves at room temperature up to +25 degrees. The room must be ventilated. To speed up the process, you can raise the temperature to +28, and also provide sufficiently bright lighting, i.e.Place the boxes next to the windows.
- To prevent tomatoes from having a white core, you can place the tomatoes next to bananas, apples, pears, or already ripened specimens. Ripe vegetables and fruits emit ethylene gas, which contributes to the ripening of unripe tomatoes. To speed up the process, it is recommended to cover the top of the fruit with film (not too tightly, air should flow freely) or cardboard.
- To prevent tomatoes from having a hard white core, they can be left to ripen directly on the plant. But first, the plants are dug up, shaken off the soil and transferred to a warm, ventilated room. Next, they hang them with their roots up so that the bushes do not touch, and wait for several days.
- If the core of the tomatoes turns out to be white and hard, and they have already been picked from the bushes, you can simply lay the fruits in 2-3 layers, cover with paper, dry sawdust and cover with a lid. And do it in such a way that air gets to the tomatoes.
You can ripen tomatoes in regular cardboard boxes.
Preventive measures
It is quite possible to prevent the appearance of white, hard cores in tomatoes. To do this, it is important to follow proven preventive measures:
- regular watering;
- fertilizing;
- ventilation of the greenhouse in hot weather;
- preventive treatments for diseases.
Watering
One of the important rules is compliance with watering norms. To prevent tomatoes from having a white, hard core, water must be given twice a week, and in drought conditions - three times (in the “every other day” mode). The liquid should be settled, not too cold. It is recommended to regularly check the surface layer of soil - it should remain moderately moist.
Feeding
To prevent tomatoes from having a white, hard core, it is recommended to regularly feed the plants with fertilizers. Normally, they are given 4-5 times per season with an interval of 10-15 days. You can use complex mineral supplements, for example, Agricola, and organic matter, for example, mullein infusion 1:10.
If there are signs of a lack of potassium, calcium and other elements that can lead to the appearance of a white, hard core of tomatoes, give foliar feeding on the leaves with the following compositions:
- calcium nitrate;
- monopotassium phosphate;
- potassium sulfate;
- wood ash.
Ventilation of the greenhouse
One of the factors that causes tomatoes to develop hard white cores is extreme heat. It is impossible to insure against it, but it is quite possible to take measures to protect the plantings. To do this you need:
- regularly ventilate the greenhouse;
- install shields made of white material, shade the bushes;
- mulch the beds;
- increase watering (but to avoid too much water, give it little by little and more often).
Treatment with drugs
To prevent the spread of infections that can lead to the formation of a white, hard core in tomatoes, you should also treat them with medications in a timely manner. After transplanting the seedlings, they need to be treated with fungicides, for example:
- "Maksim";
- "Bordeaux mixture";
- "Tattu";
- "HOME."
Is it possible to eat such a vegetable?
Even tomatoes with a white and very hard core can be eaten. In taste and aroma they are not much different from ripe ones, with the exception of the hard part.There is no doubt about their safety. Even if plants are infected with a virus, it does not pose any danger to humans.
Tomatoes with a white core are completely safe for humans
The fruits can be used in different ways. First, they are washed and the toughest parts are cut out. After this, they send for preparations or prepare various dishes:
- soups;
- salads;
- sauces;
- vegetable stews;
- lecho.
You can also make vegetable slices, getting rid of the hard white core. You can't just make juice or puree. Also, fruits with hard pulp are not suitable for pickling and pickling. But if you wait until the tomatoes ripen, they can be used in almost any dish.
Tomato varieties without white core
There are quite a few successful varieties and hybrids of tomatoes that have virtually no white, hard core. For such tomatoes, it is enough to cut out only the stalk and use it for any dishes. When choosing a specific variety, it is recommended to pay attention to juicy varieties, as well as a group of pink tomatoes. The most popular representatives include:
- Wild Rose;
- Cherry pink;
- Chio-chio-san;
- Japanese crab;
- Puzata hut;
- Black Prince;
- President of F1;
- Appetizing;
- Honey fireworks and others.
Conclusion
When tomatoes have white, hard veins, you should try to figure out the cause. If it is associated with a lack of fertilizer or violation of watering rules, eliminating it is quite simple. But it also happens that the appearance of a white, hard core is associated with diseases. In such cases, the bushes will have to be thrown away, and next season it is important to take care of the prevention.
