Green tomatoes...!

[alavahalf]

This year is my first attempt at growing tomatoes ... we planted some small plants of the Olivade variety.
They are now looking like they are going to burst , and they are really heavy. We have got loads of them... the only problem is they are still green.
Do we wait until they ripen, or can you speed up the process somehow .... ?

[ttfn]

Do pick them from the plant alavahalf - once split they are of new use other than chutney. Place them on an inside windowsill and chek daily to turn the fruit towards the light/heat. They should soon ripen.

[Clanad]

Who am I to argue with someone that looks like ttfn? However, I'd go through the plants and severely cut back all of the suckers. Those are the stems and leaves that have no tomatos or even flowers. After you tend tomatos for a while you'll be able to tell the ones I talking about. It's unlikely the tomatos will split while still green unless you are getting an overubandance of rain. Don't fertilize them anymore... it'll only contribute to more top growth. They'll ripen more quickly on the vine with a lot less mess than on a window sill...

[alavahalf]

Thanks for that info ... I did find out about the suckers earlier in the season and have removed them every few days ... and as we have had very little rain, I have watered them every evening.
Have been adding feed once a week... should I stop that now ?
They are just pretty big and I was worried that we will end up with a glut of them.

http://i39.photobucke...3/fixitagain/Toms.jpg

[Clanad]

Yes, I'd stop the feeding but if your weather's warm try to water everyother day... enough to get the soil good and wet but not enough where there's puddles standing. The tomatoes look just fine to me... Good luck!

[modeller]

It is warmth not light that ripens them . They look good and will ripen in time on the plant. Any that haven't ripened by end of August will have to be taken indoors and kept in a warm place .
Many people put them in drawers . However when they ripen after they are picked they do not ripen properly inside . A fully ripened tomato has yellow seeds but many you buy have been ripened inside that's why the seeds are green and the tomato hasn't much taste. Most tomatoes you buy are picked too early so they keep longer but don't taste like those home grown.

[agardner09]

I agree with clanad and modeller, your toms look fine. As long as you keep them well watered if it turns dry again they should be fine. I reckon you should get your nice comfy seat and a full bottle and patiently keep watch on them.
If on the other hand you do end up with green toms at the end of the season and no prospect of warmth to ripen them I suggest you pick them, place them somewhere dark and dry then as you need them put them in a brown paper bag with an orange, lemon or banana. The chemical given off by the fruit will ripen the toms, I have eaten a tom ripened in this way in January! (and I swear I am perfectly sober your honour).

[Whoever]

There's still plenty of time for tomatoes to ripen so I would advise against picking prematurely. However if you have some really heavy clusters of fruit which look as if they might be likely to cause your plant to collapse under the weight you could try removing one tomato from each cluster and trying to ripen it artificially on a window sill. However, sun ripened tomatoes are so much tastier so don't be tempted to pick them yet. Depending on which part of the country you're in, I'd be patient and leave them a little longer. If you watch them carefully after a few days of sun you'll find the green skins will subtly start changing colour.

[alavahalf]

Thought I would give a latest update on the green tomatoes ...

... I left them on the vine and ......

http://i39.photobucke...xitagain/DSC04369.jpg

All will come to those who wait ... they dont half taste nice, and thanks to everyone for their advice and input.

[landscaper2]

Blimey, I've just noticed the date of your Question. No matter what sort of summer we have, its always the first week in August before I can pick any - and this year was no different - 3rd Aug.

[chelle7272]

Nice to see it all worked out alavahalf, they look great :-)
This is my first year growing aas well so thanks for posting and thanks to all who answered as I got the benefit of your advice too. Mine are just ripening now.