Tomato Plants Slow to ripen

cram1971 · 07-09-2009 5:37pm #1

Hi,

This is my second year growing tomato plants from seeds. Last year I grew Money maker and a cherry tomato (about 8 of each) this year I grew the same plus a beef and plum tomato (can't remember the name but I have the seed packets somewhere).

Last year I had plenty of ripened tomatoes by the end of July, this year I still have only harvested about 1/3rd of my tomatoes. Is this because of the bad weather? Or the variaty? I have had to throw out about 1/5th of this years harvest as well due to some of them rotting on the plant.

Thanks

Marc

Dizzyblonde · 07-09-2009 9:40pm

I think it's because of the weather. I've been growing the same variety of tumbler cherry tomatoes for years and they've never been this slow to ripen. Today I cut off all the leafy branches in order for the light to reach the tomatoes - that might speed them up a bit. Once the end of September comes I'll take all the remaining tomatoes off and ripen them in bowls on windowsills.
This has been a very bad year for tomatoes - despite them getting a great start with June being so sunny.

davenewt · 08-09-2009 9:42am

I did wonder myself! I have about 16 "hanging basket" tomato plants, in tubs at the back of the house (they don't hang much!)... and they have only started to ripen in the last couple of weeks.

I thought it was because I'd neglected them for about a month. I clipped all the excess leaves a couple of weeks ago, and have been giving them plenty of food to spur them on.

Still, this weekend I might only have a dozen, and that's if I'm lucky!

Gordon Gekko · 08-09-2009 4:43pm

Yeah, I've been really disappointed with my tomato crop too this year. Even though my tomatoes are in a greenhouse this has been a particularly poor year - and that's saying something given the last few years we've had. Still, gardeners are renowned optimists - I'm sure next year will be better

Tomato Plants Slow to ripen

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