What causes thick skins to form on tomatoes?

Question

What causes thick skins to form on tomatoes?

Answer 1

Sacramento County UC master gardener Bill Pierce says that several factors contribute to tough skins on tomatoes: Some varieties just naturally have tough skins and were developed this way so they would ship without damage.

Cool weather that lengthens the ripening period is another factor. Too much or too little water is a third potential cause, and ... variations in the fertility and mineral content of the soil has an effect.

http://www.sacbee.com/165/story/923515.h...

Dry or very hot summers tend to produce thick skinned tomatoes.  Lack of humidity in the air will cause the tomatoes to toughen the skins to help prevent water loss through the fruit. Inconsistent moisture levels in the soil or excessively high air temperatures contribute to the problem as the plants try to conserve moisture.

http://www.weekendgardener.net/vegetable...

http://forums.organicgardening.com/eve/f...

Answer 2

Heat and lack of water.It is a defence against evaporation.

Answer 3

The tomato will grow a thick skin to avoid sunscald. The thicker skin is a reaction to too much sunlight.  Tomatoes get moody when the outside temperature gets over 85F over several days.  Any hotter and they often drop their blossoms and wilt.

Answer 4

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