Do tomatoes remain green at the base of the stalk even though they have long since ripened? Then, in the final stage of cultivation, green collars struck. We explain what it is, why the damage is harmless and how to avoid it.

Various causes - one unmistakable symptom

Green collars catch up with the home-grown tomatoes during the season finale. The fruits do not take on the desired color all around. Instead, a green or yellow collar with hardened flesh is revealed. Since this pattern of damage has existed as long as tomatoes have been planted, the causes are well known:

  • too intense exposure to the sun in connection with heat build-up
  • excessive pinching and pruning
  • Overdose of nitrogen-stressed fertilizer
  • excessive watering with subsequent waterlogging
  • unbalanced fertilization in combination with potassium and magnesium deficiency

Green collars don't stand a chance with tomatoes

Once the dilemma has arisen, there are currently no treatment options available. In the run-up, however, informed hobby gardeners have the best chance of protecting tomatoes from green collars. Pay attention to the following aspects of care:

  • provide shade during hot midday hours in summer
  • ignore the south wall of the house as a location
  • reluctantly excise and cut
  • do not let the pH of the soil drop below 6
  • avoid nitrogen-rich fertilization in favor of potassium and magnesium
  • Give preference to light fruit varieties such as 'Culina', 'Dolce Vita' or 'Vitella'

Experience has shown that the fruits in the outer part of the plant are more often affected by green collars. Denser foliage in this region provides natural sun protection without immediately plunging the fruit into Egyptian darkness.

Are infected fruits still edible?

If ripe tomatoes have a green collar, the toxic solanine has still dissolved. The fruits can therefore be harvested and consumed without hesitation. However, green collars cause the flesh to harden in the narrower area of the stem base. It is therefore advisable to cut out these areas with a knife.

tips and tricks

Experienced hobby gardeners avoid deficiency symptoms in tomatoes by consistently fertilizing with nettle manure. This traditional fertilizer is easy to make yourself in the garden. An undesired oversupply of nitrogen and the associated risk of green collars is thus also prevented in a natural way.

Category:

Vegetable garden