If the tomatoes stay stubborn on your tomato plant and refuse to mature, this can frustrate many gardeners. Knowing when green tomatoes stop maturing and how to encourage them to reach their full potential is the key to getting the most out of your garden.
So, let us uncover the reasons behind the matured tomatoes and the conditions that affect them. Here, we will also discuss the factors and conditions required for the tomatoes to grow, which can help you maximize the harvest.
Now, Let us dive into the world of tomato maturing and discover the exact way to overcome the obstacles.
Also, read: Why Are There Holes In Your Tomatoes?
Factors That Affect The Maturing Process Of Green Tomatoes
Table of Contents
Several factors influence the maturing process of green tomatoes on the vine, and the key factors are discussed below:
1. Temperature
Temperature is a key factor that plays an important role in the maturing of tomatoes. Warm temperatures accelerate the ripening process, and tomatoes mature faster at higher temperatures than those kept in cold, dark conditions.
The optimal ripening condition for tomatoes is around 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Cold temperatures can also slow down or halt the ripening process.
2. Ethylene Gas
Ethylene Gas significantly affects the tomato maturing process. Mature tomatoes produce ethylene gas, which stimulates the ripening process in surrounding fruits and increases the concentration of ethylene gas around green tomatoes, which in turn speeds up the ripening process.
Also, storing the green tomatoes in paper bags or any other enclosed space and adding ethylene-producing fruits like bananas and apples will help speed up the ripening process.
3. Light Exposure
Tomatoes grow best and develop better in light. Exposure to sunlight helps the tomatoes to create better color and flavor and enhances the production of sugars and carotenoids that contribute to the overall quality of the fruit.
Moderate sunlight is essential for maturing the tomatoes; excessive exposure to sunlight will cause the tomato skin to become rigid and leathery.
4. Postharvest Condition
Postharvest handling and storage conditions also play a significant role in the process of maturing; therefore, certain factors like humidity and airflow can also influence how quickly the tomatoes mature into fully grown ones.
Remember, storing red tomatoes in high humidity will make them more prone to rot and help them with good airflow so they ripen more evenly.
Read through this detailed write-up and know when to pick and harvest your tomatoes.
5. Humidity
High humidity prevents tomatoes from losing moisture quickly, helping maintain their firmness and preventing shriveling during the ripening process.
Also, in low, humid conditions, tomatoes may dry out or develop tough skins before they are fully ripened.
6. Nutrient Availability
The availability of essential nutrients, especially potassium, helps the fruits mature properly. It plays a very significant role in supplying steady nutrients to the fruits, as a lack of essential nutrients leads to uneven ripening. It also helps to grow bigger and better quality tomatoes.
7. Fruit Maturity
If you’re looking forward to ripening the tomatoes at the mature green stage, you need to remove them from the vine. At this stage, the fruit starts changing color, and if picked too early, it may not ripen properly or develop a poor texture and flavor.
Also, over-ripe tomatoes damaged by insects, diseases, or mishandling may not ripen properly.
8. Pests And Diseases
Pests and diseases damage the fruit, interrupt the maturing process, and cause the tomatoes to stop developing.
Tomato Fruitworms, Tomato Pinworms, Hornworms, Aphids, Spider Mites, Whiteflies, Cutworms, and Fruit Flies are some worms that impact the tomato ripening process.
They are known to hinder the ripening process of tomatoes, making them inedible and preventing them from ripening properly. The pests lead to internal damage and potential rot, which in turn disrupts the ripening process.
Diseases such as Anthracnose, Bacterial Speck, and Gray Wall prevent the tomatoes from ripening fully and affect their flavor.
Tomato Varieties That Mature Faster
Certain tomato varieties ripen faster compared to others, so here’s a list of the earliest-ripening tomato varieties:
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Sungold
Needs 55 days to ripen
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Early Girl
Needs 52 days to mature
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Black Cherry
Matures in 58 days
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Pozzano
Matures in 60 days
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Bloody Butcher
Produces ripe fruits in 58-60 days
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Super Sweet 100
Matures in around 60 days
How Will You Know If A Green Tomato Is Likely To Mature Into A Ripe Fruit?
There are several indicators that you can look forward to determine whether a green tomato will ripen:
Size And Maturity
The green tomatoes that have successfully reached their full size will mature evenly. Their chances of maturing into a full-grown fruit are higher than those of the small and immature ones.
Temperature
Frost or cold weather halts the maturing process. Tomatoes need temperatures above 50 degrees Fahrenheit to continue. If you bring green tomatoes indoors to a warmer environment, they can help ripen given the right conditions, and that too if they are mature enough.
Color Changes
The moment green tomatoes show signs of color change, it indicates that the ripening process has begun. Depending on the variety, you need to look for shades of yellow, red, or orange.
A slight change of color or “blush” at the blossom end or around the shoulders of the tomato can also be a sign of a fully matured tomato.
Texture
Firm tomatoes are usually the immature ones, and they are hard, while those that are mature will yield slightly to pressure.
Ethylene Gas Sensitivity
If tomatoes are near other ripe fruits, such as bananas and apples, they will ripen faster because they emit ethylene gas. Ethylene Gas is, therefore, a natural plant hormone that accelerates the ripening process.
Overall Plant Health
The overall health of the plant will affect the ripening process. If the plant is healthy and still producing fruit, there is a higher chance that green tomatoes will mature. However, if the plant shows signs of disease, pest damage, or nutrient deficiencies, tomatoes may not mature properly.
Closure
So, employ effective ripening strategies, enjoy the fruits of your labor after the growing season ends, and transform your green tomatoes into delicious and flavorful additions to your meals.
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