Tomatoes won't go red!

[Jules]

This year I have grown three different types of tomato in my greenhouse - hoping to avoid the blight of last year!
Every plant is laden with fruit but will it go red - will it heck!! Its not even a turning a faint blush colour? I have fed them, watered them regularly and they seem to by fine but......GREEN!
I don't mind having some green ones left over at the end of the season but would expect to be harvesting some red ones by now???
Any thoughts please?

[alan refail]

Patience young grasshopper

[Beryl]

I second that to,

Beryl.

[Chantal]

As they say, patience

[ken]

If you're desperate, you could try hanging one or more banana skins among the lowest trusses. They give off the same chemical as ripe tomatoes, which encourages others to start ripening. I know someone who used to do this because they had an annual competition with a friend to see who could produce the first ripe tomato ofthe season.

[Primrose]

I wonder if it depends on which variety of tomatoes you're growing? The tumbler varieties and cherry types like Gardeners Delight always seem to ripen ahead of the larger varieties in our garden and they're all against the same south facing sunny fence. That's another reason why I always grow a few Gardeners Delight to get a few early ones.

[Chantal]

Very true Primrose. I've been picking tumblers from the greenhouse for a couple of weeks, but there's not a hint of the others going red.

They'll turn soon and when they do, there's no stopping them.

[Primrose]

I wonder if there has ever been a scientific study done on the influences which cause tomatoes to ripen. Is it temperature? Is it the amount of sunshine? I'd be intrigued to see the difference in ripening speeds in a trial where one group of tomatoes were in a hotter temperature but under cloud and no sun, and another group in a cooler temperature with continual sunshine. Or is it just the age of the fruit were after a certain length of time the ripening process starts anyway, even if delayed by other factors. It just goes to show that it's difficult to defeat nature. The first of my Ferlines are just starting to ripen now yet my Moneycross, all sown at the same time and planted out in the same row are still green and rock hard.

[Beryl]

The most reliable ealiest tomato to ripen outside is the bush Red Alert.
I always grow these on the lottie without any protection and have been picking since the beginning of July. Nearly coming the end now but the others Gdns Delight, Ferline etc. are all ripening now outside.

I do think the growing conditions, weather etc. has a lot to do with it each year it can be different.

Beryl.

[Gilly C]

I have 4 different varieties in the greenhouse including a plum type a yellow and a black one they do have labels I have just forgotten their names and garden pearl and tumbler and gardeners delight outside all have been ripening for 2 weeks though a first just 1 or 2 a day and I thought I was late planting them this year on the otherhand my chillies growing in the same border are stunted but do have fruits on I am wondering whether it is due to lack of light as I have used garden netting for shading and it is denser than what I have used before any ideas anyone ?

[Monika]

I don't know about peppers but I think I read once that it is warmth rather than light that makes tomatoes ripen (after all, they colour up in a dark, warm place after they have been picked!). Your shading should therefore not cause any problem, Gilly. It's probably just not been warm enough yet.

[Jules]

Oh we did laugh at your response - especially my husband as I am not known for being the most patient person in the world!!!!! He has been telling me for weeks not to panic!!! And guess what.......one little green gem is now a faint orange colour!!!!!!!!!!!!! Whey- to- go TOMS!!!!
Thanks you for all your responses but actually I too would like to know whether its warmth/light/planting times/ etc. etc which governs the ripening process so if anyone discovers please keep me in the loop! Must go - can hear faint ironic laughter still coming from the garden - must be the husband!!!! Its made his day!

[alan refail]

Hi Jules



Ripening is affected by all the things you mention, especially sowing/planting time and variety. By the way you didn't mention the variety and when planted.

Alan

[Mike Vogel]

My experience is that I may get a few reddish toms before August, but I am very plaeased when I do. This year I was indeed very pleased on 2 or 3 visits to the plot, but it's only been during this month that I've been picking more than we can eat.

[Jules]

Alan - thanks for the visual reminder!
I planted them from seed in May- indoors in the conservatory and then into the greenhouse in June. Three varieties Gardeners delight, Moneymaker and Super Marmande. Akways had success with the first two and thought I would give the 'big boys' a go this year but probably not again - they're not big, still green and not many of them!
Impatient Jules!!