Crop guides · WITH TOM

Why are tomatoes cracking in cocopeat growbags?

Record when cracks appear and which fruit stages are affected. Cracking can reflect cultivar susceptibility and changes in water supply rather than a single nutrient shortage.

Teral grower guidance · Updated 27 October 2026

TomYour crop guides guide

THE COCOPEAT CONNECTION

Why the root zone matters

A small root zone can experience changes in water availability that are hidden by daily totals.

01 / OBSERVE

Three checks before you change anything

Separate radial or concentric cracks from insect injury or soft lesions.
Compare cracking dates with irrigation interruptions, rainfall exposure and sudden weather changes.
Compare cultivars and harvest maturity in the same irrigation zone.

02 / NARROW IT DOWN

When do cracks appear?

Choose the closest observation for a suggested next check.

After a dry period

Review the interruption and recovery of water delivery; aim for a consistent crop-appropriate programme.

Mostly overripe fruit

Review picking frequency and maturity criteria with the harvest team.

Only one cultivar

Compare its susceptibility and management needs before changing every bag.

03 / TAKE THE NEXT STEP

Leave with something useful

Keep a fruit photo and irrigation timeline together for the next crop review.

Keep in mind

Do not add calcium simply because fruit skins have cracked.

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