Ripening Toms

[Kirsty_84]

I've got a 6 tomato plants that I don't know the name of, but they are orange cherry toms. They've been green for absolutely ages and one plant is now turning brown and the fruit is mouldy. Is this from too much water? There's not a lot I can do about them having too much rain because I can't shelter them from the elements. Has anyone tried taking un-rippened toms off the plant and putting them in paper bags. I've heard about the bags plus banana or ripe tomato trick a few times but does it actually work?

[OllieMartin]

In addition to this, is there any way of speeding up the ripening process on the plants?
Mine have been green for weeks, some of them have gone an off-green colour like they're thinking of ripening, but again; they've been like this for several weeks. I'm concerned that we're running out of warm weather.

[Capsid]

Yes, I have green toms ripening on the windowsill now. A banana will certainly help as it releases ethylene gas which promotes ripening.

[Hans Mum]

In addition to this, is there any way of speeding up the ripening process on the plants?
Mine have been green for weeks, some of them have gone an off-green colour like they're thinking of ripening, but again; they've been like this for several weeks. I'm concerned that we're running out of warm weather.

mine too and i was moaning yesterday to the resident tomato expert on our site who came along to my poly tunnel with a couple of ripe toms, cut them in half and proceeded to rub the juice all over my green toms especially near the stalk and assures me they will start ripening over the next few days we will have to see but nothing ventured......

[OllieMartin]

I may have to try that. Do you think it would work with shop bought ones?

[Hans Mum]

I may have to try that. Do you think it would work with shop bought ones?

suppose it would...but they were really really (squashy) ripe if youve got some anyway you can try otherwise its green tomato chutney for you

oohh and thanks for the pickle recipie will let you know how it goes

[uulwyn]

All the gardening mags are saying cut the tomatoes off the plant on the vine, put them in a bowl of bananas and cover them with a tea towel and they will ripen. I have done this and it seems to be working.

[OllieMartin]

Isn't it better to keep them on the plant for as long as possible? If not: How do I know when to pick the trusses and try the old banana-in-a-tea-towel method?

[Kirsty_84]

Thanks all, I shall try the bowl, bananas and tea towel method

[zazen999]

I've got a 6 tomato plants that I don't know the name of, but they are orange cherry toms. They've been green for absolutely ages and one plant is now turning brown and the fruit is mouldy. Is this from too much water? There's not a lot I can do about them having too much rain because I can't shelter them from the elements. Has anyone tried taking un-rippened toms off the plant and putting them in paper bags. I've heard about the bags plus banana or ripe tomato trick a few times but does it actually work?

Are you sure you haven't got blight?

[uulwyn]

tomatoes this time of year will take longer to ripen as there is a distinct lack of sunlight. As long as the tomatoes havent got blight they should ripen up off the vine using the banana method.

I still have some tomatoes on the vine, but its slow progress, but no signs of blight so ill leave them be for the time being.

[Kirsty_84]

Are you sure you haven't got blight?

Hmmm ... maybe I have.
I shall have a closer look when it has stopped raining. I have two plants in each large pot, should I not eat the other toms off the plant which shares the same pot (there doesn't seem to be a problem with the other plant)?

[uulwyn]

you should know if you have blight as the bottom of the tomato itself may have black blotches on, same with the leaves, but dont be over hasty bining the plant, as the tomato plant i have has its leaves yellowing and black spots on them, but the tomatoes are fine and redening up ok.

[SarzWix]

If it isn't blight, then it could be botrytis (grey mould), which is almost as bad I definitely think you have more chance of useable tomatoes (whether green or red) if you remove them from the plant.

[zazen999]

you should know if you have blight as the bottom of the tomato itself may have black blotches on, same with the leaves, but dont be over hasty bining the plant, as the tomato plant i have has its leaves yellowing and black spots on them, but the tomatoes are fine and redening up ok.

It was the mouldy tomatoes bit that caused concern for me.