Ripe tomatoes or not ??

Bonnyboy · 30-06-2008, 12:50

When do you actually pick them off the plant. Have Googled this only to end up more confused.

Do you pick them when they are green or red or just starting to go red ?

Do you remove them one at a time or remove the whole bunch ?

The plant I have has several bunches now ( is bunches the right word ? ) maybe half a dozen or so Tomatoes on each bunch but only one red one on each bunch. Do I just take the red ones off the plant

emamum · 30-06-2008, 12:51

I would pick before they are ripe and put them in a paper bag..... that will ripen them

Tin Monkey · 30-06-2008, 12:53

At this time of year, you definitely leave them to ripen on the plant. Just remove them one at a time. At the end of the season you remove any green ones and either leave them to ripen, or make chutney.

Bonnyboy · 30-06-2008, 13:11

Thanks emamum and Tin Monkey for your answers…

you can see why I’m confused with the conflicting answers that are around.

WillowTheWhisp · 30-06-2008, 13:19

Vine ripened taste better. Remove them as they ripen and use them.

LancYorkYankee · 30-06-2008, 16:55

Well said Tin Monkey and Willow. The longer you can let them "sun-ripen," the greater the vitamin content! your plant has an overabundance of tomatoes trying to ripen, picking off those closest to rpined will also allow the others to ripen a bit quicker, as well as assist the green tomatoes to grow to their fullest!

Our problem over here is that, as tomatoes won't ripen when the temps reach 85 degrees F, we are forced to pick them before they fully ripen. The last few years this has been the case for a few weeks each summer.

Good on all you English Gardners. Cheers,

Brian

West Ender · 30-06-2008, 20:12

You can pick them just as they start to turn red and they will ripen on a windowsill. Why bother though? Let them ripen on the vine and they will be juicier and sweeter.

You didn't say what variety you are growing. Are they bush or upright and indoor or outdoor?

Bonnyboy · 30-06-2008, 21:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by West Ender

You didn't say what variety you are growing. Are they bush or upright and indoor or outdoor?

Dint say because I dont know, I got the plant off my neighbour, she just asked if I wanted the lil tomatoes or the big tomatoe plant...the plant is in the kitchen window, dunno if it should be outside or not

West Ender · 30-06-2008, 21:38

When I said "indoor" I meant in a greenhouse.

I've never grown a tomato plant to maturity in the house because they can grow so big. It sounds like it may be a dwarf bush.

Bonnyboy · 30-06-2008, 21:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by West Ender

When I said "indoor" I meant in a greenhouse.

I've never grown a tomato plant to maturity in the house because they can grow so big. It sounds like it may be a dwarf bush.

It's bigger than any dwarfs I've ever come across...it's bout 5 foot high, I've nipped the top out of it to stop it getting taller

BERNADETTE · 30-06-2008, 21:43

Reading this thread you can tell who is keen on gardening and who is a novice

Bonnyboy · 30-06-2008, 21:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by BERNADETTE

Reading this thread you can tell who is keen on gardening and who is a novice

Oi...belt up, I'm on a learning curve

BERNADETTE · 30-06-2008, 21:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bonnyboy

Oi...belt up, I'm on a learning curve

I had noticed

First rule label all plants clearly

Retlaw · 30-06-2008, 21:59

Greenhouse tomatoes can be grown out door, make sure the pot is at least 10" diam, stick 4 canes round the edge of the pot equidistant, get one of those clear plastic bags dry cleaners use, and lower it over the canes, make a hole in the top to allow for air circulation, on a hot day roll the plastic bag up from the bottom, keep the plants well watered it will drink 1/2 gallon a day, don't let it dry out or the toms will split. When a tomatoe is ripe you will know by the colour and bloom on the skin. You can remove some of the larger leaves from the bottom of the plant, then you will grow more toms and not leaves.

Retlaw.

West Ender · 30-06-2008, 22:01

OK, little tomato-growing tip. With the straight varieties you should nip off any growths that come in the joints between the stem and the branches. With the bush sorts you don't have to.

Don't forget the leaves and stems of tomato plants are poisonous. They probably wouldn't kill you, unless you ate a load of them (yeeeuk), but it's as well to wash your hands when you've handled them.