Tomato Growing Thread 2012

This green one was removed prematurely from a blighted plant and hadn't any sign of ripening whatsoever, but I persevered with it and got it to ripen. It lost some weight in the process and it will be interesting to see if the seeds are viable.

 

There seems to be some debate about the best way to ripen indoors. What have you found to be the best method?

Kevin

 

Put them in a drawer with a ripe banana (which will release Ethylene gas and hasten the ripening process; sunlight is not required, and may in fact make the skins tougher)

 

In a bowl with ripe banana (which I regularly buy to use in wine making to give 'body' to a brew when I see them really cheap, normally reduced 'selected seconds' at Morrisons) and our hens get the banana when the tom's ripened. Warmth assists with ripening.

I've got the seeds from the one above fermenting to remove the gel coating at the moment and will sow a few to check if they'll germinate in a few days, but I think I might be pushing it a bit as I understand that they should really be showing a blush of colour (like yours) to be able to save seed from them, but have read claims of successful germination from green ones that have been left to ripen. So I should know within a couple of weeks or so.

EDIT: I don't put them in a drawer like Kristen suggests because I would forget about it and get into trouble when it rotted.

 

Thanks Kristen and Scrungee.

In the past I have usually only ripened them on the kitchen counter when they were already pretty advanced. Never tried it from the almost green stage.
I have a few of the Striped German which are very green and I must try the banana method.

Kevin

 

Warmth is key to ripening too.

 

Picked today - a Gardeners Delight.
It feels a bit cruel to eat it!

​

 

That's brilliant!1 Made I larf this mornin'
Jenny

 

Lovely melange there Armandii,


[Staff Note : Winner of GC's Word of the Week]

 

A lovely basketful there Armandii. Can we have a picture when you pick a Melange please.

My toms are dropping to, I think they're shivering themselves off the plants.

 

I didn't realise the "interest" my description would engender.

OK. 混合物 (Hùnhéwù)
Who's up for this then?
Jenny