Is it worth persevering with toms?

**plotman** · 02-09-2017, 07:09 PM

Originally posted by monkeyboy View Post

At the start of June, the wife decided to pick up a tomato plant whilst in homebase. No idea on variety. It's grown to about two metres (with a fork/split near the base so there are two stems). I've neglected to thin out the lateral branches and extraneous shoots on a regular basis but have tried to where I can.

It started flowering a few weeks ago and tomatoes have appeared. There's at least eight that are grape sized. I've been feeding once a week since the flowers first appeared and twice a week now the toms are here. Watering alternate days.

Will the fruit be ready before we run out of good weather? Or should I look to harvest green toms for now and try again next year?

Probably a bit late now for any real crop, but with little sunshine and feed you might get something for your efforts. If its growing in greenhouse then ive had them cropping well into October . Think you know hat you neglected in previous months so heres to next spring

)

**bramble** · 02-09-2017, 07:09 PM

Monkey boy, you dont say where you live and that may have some bearing on how long you have left for the toms to ripen.
I would give them more time if it were me.
Stop the plant from producing any more blossom by pinching the top.
Also, are the tomstoes cherry or large sized tomatoes.
Can you post a pic.

**Jungle Jane** · 02-09-2017, 07:16 PM

Is the plant in a greenhouse in a pot? Mine are outside & still ripening,but Ive pinched off any flowers now there's no time for them to develop & ripen. Give the plant less to do so it concentrates on ripening of what it's got & get rid of all the sideshoots,a little bit of sun & the plant thinks it has time to grow a whole new section but don't let it!

**monkeyboy** · 02-09-2017, 07:28 PM

Thanks all. I can't seem to edit my profile. I'm based in Solihull so West Midlands.

I've removed the extra branches last week and removed the top about 2-3 weeks ago. I think I should remove any new flowers so the existing toms can develop.

The plant is outdoors. I was looking to buy or build a minigreenhouse next year for it.

This is a pic from about a month ago:

https://imgur.com/a/nIXyE

Will add a pic tomorrow of what it looks like now.

**Kirk** · 03-09-2017, 08:56 AM

Leaver it for now, you have in effect nothing to lose. I have 10 or 12 tomato plants, different varieties if I recall, 4 are well over 2 meters and going well and they are like yours, some flowers and a few fruit, all green. Another is still amall about a meter and not a flower on it.

Was going to post a question asking if others have nothing but green tomato's at this time not a reddish one in sight at this time so puzzled.

**Jay22** · 03-09-2017, 09:04 AM

I've had the sum total of two red tomatoes on 4 plants in a blowaway and 4 outside. Plenty of flowers and green tomatoes though. Going to leave them a bit longer, if they don't go red then it's green tomato chutney.

**Jungle Jane** · 03-09-2017, 11:41 AM

A couple of my buffalo tomato plants have only green tomatoes on them,no sign of red. Some plants have been very slow this year but I'm picking them daily now,it helps having 30+ plants. I hope yours all hurry up,it's usually sunny through September. Have you cut off the bottom leaves,I cut off everything under the first truss of tomatoes,it seems to help.

**BUFFS** · 03-09-2017, 12:28 PM

I let them ripen at their own speed, and September weather can be very mild, I still have 6-7 plants on the go, with about a stone of green toms to ripen yet, any that don't go red the OH will make into chutney no doubt..

**happyhumph** · 03-09-2017, 02:14 PM

I was in the gh removing flowers and leaves yesterday to encourage remaining fruit to ripen.

Green tomatoes cooked in the oven are nice as well - you can add a bit of sugar and balsamic vinegar to sweeten them. Also, when it gets really cold you can cut the whole truss off and put in a paper bag inside the house with a banana to help ripening.

**Deano's "Diggin It"** · 03-09-2017, 03:03 PM

Well I am definitely having to persevere with mine this year, and really don't know why!

, and they better get their skates on, as my year if not will be a total flop!

But the first one is a turning!

and you normally find all others then start following suit!

Well here's hoping anyway!

**vixylix** · 04-09-2017, 02:21 PM

Mine are getting there slowly too... fingers crossed for a decent September

It sounds like you know what you are doing, so just keep on top of any sideshoots and you'll hopefully be ok. I bring them inside to ripen at the end of the season, most of them usually do

**monkeyboy** · 08-09-2017, 09:07 AM

Originally posted by vixylix View Post

I bring them inside to ripen at the end of the season, most of them usually do

At the moment, my plant is in a vegetable bed (having been moved from a growbag). Would it still be okay to repot and bring in or am I likely to cause damage to the plant?

**Penellype** · 08-09-2017, 10:19 AM

I absolutely wouldn't attempt to dig up a tomato plant at this time of year. When it gets too cold or you are worried about blight, pick all the tomatoes, whether ripe or not, and bring them into the house. I spread them out on a table and allow them to ripen slowly, and this gives me ripe tomatoes usually into January (I grow a lot of tomatoes). You can speed up ripening by putting them next to a ripe fruit - a banana is usually recommended. Ripe fruit gives off ethylene gas which helps unripe fruit to ripen.

**vixylix** · 08-09-2017, 01:00 PM

Sorry... I meant I pick all the tomatoes, not the plant

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