[Bluedave]

Heh all,

a couple of the tomatoes coming through on one of my tom plants are cracking at the end - i don't think it's blossom end rot (i'd be disappointed if it was 'cause i've been consistently watering them) but what is it and should I remove the affected fruits?

[New shoot]

If they are big beaksteak types, they quite often do that.  I'd leave them and cut out any ropey bits when you come to eat them, the rest will taste just fine 

[stompy]

You could be watering too much.
If they take on too much water too soon they either split or the skin can crack as it can't grow at the same rate as the water is taken in.

[Bluedave]

cheers New shoot - they are beefsteak tomatoes. It's not happening on the cherries and shirleys so your answer makes sense. Growing them and some inca's to make pasta sauces with - kids can't get enough pasta!

stompy - that could also make sense - overwatering seems to be my problem (you'll notice that from other posts!), i'm just worried that things don't get enough water - i'll get it right eventually i suppose!

[stompy]

I make a point of not watering too often, sometimes i leave it 4/5 days between waterings.
Toms have 2 sets of roots, the top set are feeder roots and the bottom set are water roots, so its very diffcult to kill the plant.
I don't water too often so the water content isn't so high giving to more flesh and therefore more taste, they are a little bit smaller but the extra floavour, MMM MMM MMM
My dad goes mad as he waters his every morning, and he says mine will die.
They never have yet and i've been growing them for about 6 years now 

[compostqueen]

I think they're ok, as my beef toms look like that (well, they would if I had any yet  )

I water from the bottom as I stand them in pots in trays, and I give them too little rather than too much

Some varieties do tend to split more than others and I've found that Tigerella doesn't so I usually grow some of those. They look beautiful too 

[gillie]

Are those tomatoes actually true beefsteaks, or 'big uglies' like Marmande?

I think this is caused by erratic pollination, and is probably worst at the beginning of the season. 
Gillie

[mumofstig]

Costoluto Fiorentino and many of the other 'big' Italian tomatoes have 'bottoms' like that 

Nothing to worry about and nothing you can do to stop it.

[DD.]

It's just the way they grow. Ferline & Brandywine come out like that, nothing ou can do about it.