Tomato plant and other general advice please.

[Sapling]

Hi folks, so being an absolute novice and not having a lot of time over the last couple of months our plants have suffered a bit. See pictures. My question is, what next?
The tomatoes are still green but big and are causing damage to the plant. I've removed the majority of dead branches. I'm guessing it's too late for them now to turn red?
The plants are about 5ft and I need them to stop growing lol as they're gonna struggle for height in the greenhouse.

Also do I need to insulate my greenhouse, I'll attach another picture of what's in there at the mo.

Just not sure what's next really. Sorry for the vagueness just a little shove in the right direction wouldn't go amiss.

Thanks

[craftymarie]

I'm a newbie myself to growing but I don't think the outdoor temperatures now are going to be very good for ripening your tomato plants. I believe the ideal ripening temps are approx 20-25 centigrade - today struggled to get to that in my polytunnel.

So ideally I think they should be in the greenhouse for any chance of ripening now. I can't quite see the images properly but you should be able to cut them down a bit and reduce the height at the top so you can get them into your greenhouse. I can only see tomato fruits nearer the bottom areas.

I'm sure other people will chime in with more thoughts for you

[skeggijon]

Hi Sapling. There's still time to ripen those toms. Cut the plants back to just above the highest truss of tomatoes and stick them in the greenhouse and remove the bottom leaves too. Don't water more than once a week now - and if all else fails, there's always green tomato chutney

[Bigmallly]

I'd also be tempted to put them in a greenhouse or similar, cut it down to the last fruits as I don't think any more flowers will bare fruit. I would also remove all of the leaves & let it put it's energy into ripenng the fruits you do have.

[Sapling]

Ok, I'll cut them back tomorrow. So should I just leave the toms on the plant to ripen?

Also I am halfway through reading a thread about tomatoes and didn't realise there was so much involved. We were just given them as small plants this summer and we've just fed and watered them.

So does anybody know what type we have? I can get a better picture tomorrow if needed. Also the tom plants in the last pic, with the peppers and stuff. We planted them as seeds very late so obviously they're not going to fruit this year but is there anything I should do to prep all my plants for winter? I'm just scared that if I just leave them they'll all die.

I think I need to do some reading, lol.

Thanks

[skeggijon]

Can't tell from photo's I'm afraid - There are lots of varieties that look pretty similar, but taste different.

as for overwintering the peppers, here's a really good guide Overwintering Chillie Plants

[veggiechicken]

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but your tomatoes will die before winter. You're unlikely to get any new toms forming now and you need to put those you have under cover to give them a chance. Or, you can pick them and ripen them indoors.
Your plants look healthier than mine which are gradually coming to an end. Sad time of year for toms

[Bigmallly]

Although I have never tried it, there is a train of thought that you can lift the plant, clean the compost off the roots & hang them upside down to ripen.

[bramble]

Clutching at straws is my thinking on the "lifting them and hanging them upside down".
Not denying what you are saying Big Mally, just my opinion.
But, it wont do any harm to try.

[Bigmallly]

https://www.milkwood.net/2015/03/04/...down-to-ripen/

[Lisasbolt]

I have done it with peppers last year and they ripened up nicely. (upside down that is) So it is def worth a try.