What night time temperature is ok for tomatoes?

Hello, I have a lot of green tomatoes in an unheated green house (I think its because I started sowing the seeds late). Going by the digital thermometer the nights are getting colder.

What night time temperature is ok for tomatoes? I think the other night it was about 6oc.

I have thought about picking them since donâ??t want to loose them. I did read that you can ripen them on the plant if you stick a bunch of bananas in the greenhouse. Does this work? If so is it better than picking them and sticking them in a dark place or on a window ledge?

Thankyou

djrock

 

As long as the nights dont dip below freezing the actual toms will be OK.

Probably wont ripen very fast though.
Also in the greenhouse at this time of the year condensation can build up causing all kinds of fungi to develop.

You could cut the stems off at the base and hang them up in a shed if you have one, less condensation that way.
Or take the fruit off and put them in a drawer.
The banana thing does work apparently, but apples work as well I think.
Something to do with ethylene gas given off by ripening fruit which speeds ripening of other fruit, which in turn creates more ethylene.:thumb:

 

As Pete says, don't leave them in the greenhouse, they'll rot befor they ripen. If I have any unripe I leave them on the vine(after cutting the vine down) and store them in a dry cool place, I don't know if it's just an old gardeners tale but they always ripen for me that way. I think one of the reasons for leaving them on the stems is to make sure they get enough ventilation. Try leaving half a dozen in a carrier bag and you'll soon see how fast they go rotten.

 

Mine are still in unheated greenhouse with doors closed day and night but we are further south. I have never been successful ripening them on a window sill but have had success putting them in a drawer - I seem to recall putting them in a brown paper bag??

 

UJH don't leave your g/house shut, open it up in the day time or you will be asking for trouble as mentoned above ease down on the watering of your toms.

 

Thanks for the help - will open day time. :thumb: