Troubles with Ripening Tomatoes: Uncovering 4 Reasons and Tips to Expedite the Process for Timely Summer Salads Consumption
Tomatoes, a staple in many gardens and kitchens, can sometimes struggle to turn red, particularly during extreme temperatures. Here's a guide to help you overcome this common issue.
Temperature Extremes: Tomatoes need warm conditions but not excessive heat for growth. When temperatures soar above 85°F (29°C) or dip below 60°F (16°C), the production of lycopene, the pigment responsible for red color, is halted, stopping the ripening process [1][2][4][5].
To combat this, provide shade during heat waves using shade cloth or temporary coverings. For greenhouse tomatoes, painting the glass to reflect sunlight temporarily can also help [2].
Managing Nutrients: Over-fertilizing with nitrogen can delay fruit maturity. If you suspect over-fertilization, switch to a fertilizer balanced for fruiting plants [4]. Levington Tomorite Liquid Tomato Food is a popular all-rounder fertilizer for tomatoes, available on Amazon.
Boosting Ethylene Exposure: Ethylene gas promotes ripening. You can place tomatoes in a paper bag with a ripe banana or another ethylene-producing fruit to encourage color change [4]. Monty Don's banana hack can be used to ripen green tomatoes.
Avoiding Temperature Fluctuations: Keep consistent moisture levels and protect plants from chilling to maintain steady ripening conditions [1][3].
Pruning Techniques: Pinching out, a simple pruning technique, encourages flowering and fruiting plants to channel their energy into existing trusses. After a tomato plant has produced five trusses of fruit, the growing tip of the main stem should be removed to encourage ripening [6].
Careful Pruning: Removing some of the lower leaves on the tomato plant allows more light in and increases air flow, helping with ripening. It's good practice to remove some of the lower leaves on the plant to increase light and air flow [7].
Balanced Nutrients: A fertilizer higher in phosphorus can encourage tomato ripening. Tomatoes grown in hanging baskets or a vegetable bed require plenty of nutrients for a heavy crop of red tomatoes.
By regulating temperature conditions, managing nutrients carefully, and possibly using ethylene gas to stimulate ripening, you can encourage your tomatoes to turn red successfully. Additionally, providing shade can help tomato plants during hot weather. AMK® Vitax Summer Cloud Greenhouse Shading is available for sale on Amazon.
References:
[1] RHS Tomatoes: Growing Guide [2] Garden Myths: Tomatoes and Heat [3] Tomatoes: Avoiding Overwatering [4] Growing Tomatoes: Common Problems and Solutions [5] Why Tomatoes Turn Green When They're Not Ripe [6] Pinching Out Tomato Plants [7] How to Prune Tomato Plants
- Incorporating healthy-cooking practices, such as providing shade for tomato plants during heat waves using shade cloth or temporary coverings, can help achieve a vibrant red color in home-garden grown tomatoes.
- Maintaining balanced nutrients in your food-and-drink growing garden, specifically ensuring sufficient phosphorus levels, can encourage tomatoes to ripen and turn red successfully.
- Cultivating a lifestyle that values gardening and home-and-garden care, and implementing pruning techniques like pinching out to encourage flowering and fruiting, can ensure a bountiful supply of ripe and juicy red tomatoes.
