TOMATO RIPENING

[nice sax]

is anyone else experiencing problems with their tomatoes ripening this year. we have a lot of plants some in a greenhouse and some outdoors but thay all seem to be reluctant to show any signs of ripening.

[gina32]

yes, well not me a friend of mine has loads of tomatoes on the plant and some are quite large but they arent turning red.

[jomifl]

They will when they get warm

[ethandron]

pick them, wrap them in tissue and keep them in the house. they'll soon ripen.

[boxtops]

There are some ripe blackberries on a wild bush round the corner from here - I can't remember when they have ever been ready as early as this.

[ruthandsam]

I had the same problem last year and ended up trying to ripen them indoors. It worked for some but not all as a lot went mushy before they went red.

This year I've just noticed that some are now turning red BUT they are the ones in the middle of the bushes which are not exposed to the any sun!. I can only asume that it is due to some chemical reaction plus the fact that they are close together to other tomatoes. They are growing outside and as it is not particularly warm in North West England at the mo but not very cold either - work that out!

[ethandron]

have a look at this:
http://www.ehow.com/h...n-green-tomatoes.html

[vivandorron]

If you are growing tomatoes in a greenhouse, leave one or two ripe one's on a few plants , because they give off a gas which will ripen the others.

http://www.growveg.co...wblogpost.aspx?id=103

Ron.

[scotcat]

a keen gardening friend of mine had this problem and put a ripe banana in the greenhouse, he swears this is now making the tomatoes turn red

[ladyalex]

I put the green ones that always seem to be left at the end of the season in the bottom of the drawer in the kitchen that I keep my tea towels in. Cover them with the tea towels then just ignore them for a week or so and they will turn red.

[vivandorron]

scotcat....Your friend's method does work because a ripe banana gives off ethylene, which is the gas that assists fruit ripening. Ripe tomatoes also give off ethylene; hence a few ripe ones should be left on the plants to help ripen the others.

ladyalex...Your method also works because you are trapping the ethylene with the layer of tea towels.

Ron

[madmaggot]

ruthandsam, sounds as if you've left too many leaves on your plants.
When you see a fruit bearing branch (with flowers), cut all the branches below down to one pair of leaves. This will ensure that plenty of light gets to your fruit and you will get more fruits too.
I've got no shortage of fruits (plum tomatoes for cooking and little sweet variety for eating) and they're ripening steadily in the greenhouse.