My first ripe toms

[Tomatoking]

Well, after a few weeks of nice hot weather, I have finally got my first ripe tomatoes.
I have been giving them a 'good talking to' for the last few days, as I do not want many more unripe fruit on my plants, as the heads are slightly too thin.

[selfraising]

Oh well done you TK!! I'm still waiting on mine as they are growing outside, I take it yours are in a polytunnel of similar?

[Tomatoking]

Yes they are in the polytunnel, I have a few outside this year, those could be a tad longer.

[Bren In Pots]

I see you've taken a lot of the lower leaves off does that help with the ripening ?

[Florence Fennel]

Ooh they look lovely TK. Mine are all outside, bar one (!) so will have to wait a good while yet.

[womble]

So tell us, have you stopped them yet and have you done anything to get them to ripen as early as possible.
What sort are they?

I notice that they are very nice compact plants, almost neat, is that pruning or just the way they have grown.

[Tomatoking]

I see you've taken a lot of the lower leaves off does that help with the ripening ?

It does slightly Bren, and also help air circulation. As I said the heads are getting a little thin and I really wanted some fruit off.
Also you can get the odd damaged leaf lower down, and this would be the first point of infection.
From now on I will just remove leaves from below the ripened fruit.

[Tomatoking]

So tell us, have you stopped them yet and have you done anything to get them to ripen as early as possible.
What sort are they?

I notice that they are very nice compact plants, almost neat, is that pruning or just the way they have grown.

I will not stop them till late summer. I grow them over the top of the path, then across to the other side, and then on to the next row. It's called the 'Guernsey arch system', a little about it is on my blog.
I took a few leaves off to help them ripen, but it has been really hot in the polytunnel these last few weeks.

Compact plants is what everyone should aim for. Most plants I often see on here are too leggy, caused by low light levels mainly.
Light can be more important than heat, as long as temperatures do not go too low, so don't always keep plants in the house.
I also give a strong tomato feed if I feel my plants are getting too much green growth.

The variety is Montfavet f1.

[Alison]

Good isn't it, picked my first two on Wednesday and they were lovely and sweet

[Crosbie]

Really Fantastic..

Salt in the wound of course

Crosbie

[valmarg]

What variety are they TK.

valmarg

[Alison]

What variety are they TK.

The variety is Montfavet f1.

Think this is right

[Bramble_killer]

I feel so behind in all my crops this year

They look lovely and juicy though so hope you enjoy them to their fullest!

[Phyllis Smith]

Lovely clusters of toms! What variety are they?

[Bigmallly]

Here you are Phyllis.

Lovely clusters of toms! What variety are they?

The variety is Montfavet f1.