What does it look like? Fruit looks deformed with irregular cracking, scars or strange ditches forming, usually at the bottom of the fruit but can be all over.
What causes it? Catface is caused by poor pollination, usually due to extremely hot or cold temperatures at time of fertilisation. Flat fruited varieties and some older varieties such as 'Grosse Lisse' are more prone to this disorder. Newer varieties are more resistant having been selectively bred to reduce the chance of catface occurring.
Can we live with it? Yes, even though the fruit may look ugly, it is not diseased and is fine to eat.
Control There is no real control for catface, but by growing newer varieties and not planting your tomatoes too early or too late you can reduce the chances of it occurring.
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