Bob177

Tomato Ripening

flowergirl4 wrote (see)

I saw on here(on the How To section ) that it is possible to ripen tomatoes just buy lifting them (the whole plant root and all) and hanging them upside down in a shed.....I will try this as well as the banana thing and see which is best.....

Hello flowergirl4, I have watched the Chris Beardshaw video, and it is well worth considering. I think it is a matter of timing at the moment. Maybe other people have an opinion on the hanging upside down method.

Tomato Ripening

Italophile wrote (see)

To be honest, I'm not convinced of the banana routine. I tried it a few years ago as an experiment. Two toms, same variety, same degree of ripeness. One in a bag with a banana, the other one au naturel. There was little difference in the outcome.

But if the banana were to be tried, it needs to be in the confines of something like a bag with the tomato in order to maximise the effect of any ethlyene gas. Otherwise it just wafts into the atmosphere.

Flowergirl4 has suggested uprooting the whole plant & hanging them upside down, after watching Chris Beardshaw in the 'how to' section of this site. I have watched it, and it would appear to be a well tested route, having been suggested by an expert. I don't think my 4 plants will produce many fruits now that September is here, even though I still have many flowers at or near the tops. If I were to try that method, is it best to do it now, or wait a little longer?

Talkback: How to insulate a greenhouse

My Aluminium Greenhouse is about 7'x 6', & over thirty years old,  last year I got a large roll of bubblewrap from the Amazon marketplace, complete with plastic twist clips. The roll  is suitable in  size to fit each portion (30"), & cover all of it. The only downside for me was that I had to file down the end that slotted into the groove, as it was slightly too deep for it. I agree with obelixx, in that it's the emptying & cleaning that is the real time issue.

Tomato Ripening

I suppose I could go the whole hog and place a peeled back banana at the base of each pot, and see what happens. Also, is it best to use a banana that is still on the green side, as we sometimes get banana's from the supermarket that have yet to ripen. I prefer to eat an orange every day anyway, so technically I wouldn't be depriving myself of much needed fruit. 

MuddyFork wrote (see)

The ripening banana gives of ethylene gas which helps the tomato to ripen so not sure that just the skin would have the same effect

tomato blight in greenhouse

I know this won't be of any help to you Jen, but on last Friday's Gardeners World, even Monty Don had lost most if his Greenhouse crop to blight. It seem's no-one can be spared, even the experts.

Tomato Ripening

Italophile wrote (see)

The air circulation is good anti-fungal problem procedure. I'd close the windows at night, too, to keep up the temperature. At this time of the season a fungal infection isn't going to do any long-term damage because there isn't a long-term. So to speak.

I have already started closing the windows at night, due to the recent drop in night temp. I know from  following the Forum, that you are the Tom's expert, and I would like to know what you think about the thoughts of others on putting a ripe banana in there. For eg; Do I apply one to each pot ( I have 4), do I place them at the base, and do I peel them first? Please excuse me everyone, for sounding a bit naive on this matter. Thanks

Harvesting Squash

obelixx wrote (see)

I'd say leave it to grow on but it'll need plenty of watering and maybe a bit of feeding too.

Generally speaking, squash require a gerat deal of space and light and plenty of moisture and food to grow well so are better off grown outside in the ground or on a compost heap where they'll get pollinated by passing insects.

I give it a watering every other day, with a tomato feed about once a week. I had to move them inside my shed a few weeks ago, because they were dominating the greenhouse floor, & obstructing my path to the tomatoes. Interesting observation on growing on a compost heap though.

Tomato Ripening

Italophile wrote (see)

Bob, toms don't need direct sunshine to ripen. It's all about temperature. Low-20s and above is optimum. The lower you go, the longer it takes.

I currently leave my windows in the greenhouse open 24hrs, although I do close the door at night - do I need to close them also?

Tomato Ripening

MuddyFork wrote (see)

I have put a ripe banana on the growbag my tomatoes are growing in and they have now started to ripen.  Worth giving it a try.

I will see what this weeks forecast of settled weather does to the crop, if no movement by the week-end, I will add a banana. I currently have 4 plants in my greenhouse - 1 per plant??

Tomato Ripening

Thanks for your help & ideas. And I always thought toms needed sunshine - Let's hope we all have  a decent September .

Tomato Ripening

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