If the tomatoes on the vine stubbornly refuse to turn red, this seemingly frustrating and disappointing issue is a genuine source of concern.

Read this guide and understand why those aren’t turning into delicious red. Here, we will reveal the surprising factors influencing their transformation from green to vibrant red.

So, put on your gardening hat and journey to unravel the secrets of turning green tomatoes into beautifully red tomatoes.

Reasons Your Tomatoes Are Not Turning Red

Address these potential issues and encourage your tomatoes to turn into a vibrant red color:

Let’s get started!

1. Insufficient Sunlight

Tomatoes need at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight regularly to display signs of ripening. Excessive shade or an inappropriate amount of sun hinders the ripening process and prevents the tomatoes from starting to turn red. So, make sure the plants are getting an adequate amount of sunlight daily.

2. Temperature Issues

Temperatures above 85 degrees Fahrenheit will prevent the plants from producing Lycopene and Carotene, which are responsible for tomatoes’ red color. Make sure the tomatoes are getting the perfect temperature so that it can enhance the ripening process. The best temperature to show signs of ripening is between 68 degrees and 77 degrees Fahrenheit. Also, temperatures below 60 degrees Fahrenheit inhibit ripening.

3. Nutrients Imbalance

Nutrients such as phosphorus and potassium are required to produce Lycopene and carotenoids, and a lack of these critical nutrients results in a nutrient imbalance. Also, the excessive presence of nitrogen causes the tomatoes to remain green by promoting leaf growth instead of showing signs of ripening into red tomatoes.

4. Varietal Differences

Certain tomato varieties are more prone to staying green or can even turn to different colors, such as yellow, orange, and purple, when ripe. Generally, a cherry tomato will take fewer days to fully ripen into a red tomato than an heirloom variety. It is, therefore, essential to check the color and days of maturity for the specific variety.

5. Overcrowding

If the tomato plants have grown large and are overcrowded with fruits, the focus may shift to the dense foliage rather than the still green ones on the vine. In this case, removing some of the tomatoes will help initiate the ripening process of those that are still present on the tree. Make sure the tomato plants aren’t overcrowded.

6. Water Stress

Inconsistent moisture levels in the soil hinder the tomatoes from turning luscious red. Also, drought, overwatering, or any other water imbalance results in tiny green or yellow-colored tomatoes, making it hard to ripen green tomatoes. Therefore, providing a sufficient amount of water consistently helps the plants to deal with water stress in extreme situations.

7. Pests Or Diseases

Certain pests, such as aphids, whiteflies, or spider mites, weaken the plant and impact the ripening of green fruit into red tomatoes. Diseases, such as septoria leaf spot or fusarium wilt, also affect fruit development and hinder the ripening process of green tomatoes. Ensure you are focusing on the removal of pests or diseases so that it doesn’t affect the ripening process.

8. Lack Of Pruning

Pruning optimizes the ripening process and focuses its energy. In turn, it improves sunlight access, thereby allowing the fruits to turn red. Also, early pruning will produce higher-quality fruit that will ripen more easily and quickly. So, neglecting pruning will hinder the ripening process, and keeping a keen eye on it will help the fruits to ripen at their normal pace.

9. Excessive Nitrogen

Over-fertilizing with nitrogen promotes leaf growth and hinders the fruit ripening process, which causes green tomatoes to never turn red. While nitrogen is essential for plant growth, an excess amount is counterproductive for tomatoes. Slowly reduce the usage of fertilizers and make it to two or three times during the season.

10. Insufficient Nutrients

Lack of essential nutrients and micronutrients such as phosphorous and potassium are significant factors in producing Lycopene in fruits. Insufficient amounts of these nutrients cause slow or uneven ripening.

11. Early Picking

Early picking can also be a major reason for the tomatoes not to turn red, as if they are picked early, they will not get a chance to ripen since they didn’t get the chance to develop the Lycopene needed for that red color. So, make sure you pick the fruits at the appropriate time to avoid problems related to ripening.

Why And When Do The Green Tomatoes Ripen?

Unripe tomatoes are green in color because of the presence of chlorophyll, making them ideal for fried green tomatoes. However, in mature tomatoes, chlorophyll production slows down, and Lycopene takes its place. This pigment, Lycopene, turns green tomatoes into vibrant red.

Also, when the tomato begins to turn into red gems, it starts producing an invisible gas called ethylene. This gas acts as a ripening signal and initiates the process of breaking down the chlorophyll and producing Lycopene. This entire shift is what causes the tomatoes to turn orange and red.

How Long Does It Take For The Tomatoes To Ripen On The Vine?

The actual time taken by the tomatoes to turn red depends on a lot of factors, such as :

Tomato Variety

The ripening time of tomatoes varies with the specific tomato variety, determining how long it takes for the green fruit to become red tomatoes. The early-season and cherry tomatoes typically ripen within 50-60 days after flowering.

The larger heirloom varieties take up to 70-80 days or a bit longer to ripen into red tomatoes. The specific ripening time of your variety can be found on the seed packet or plant tag.

Temperature

Tomato ripening slows down, especially in extreme sunlight, and the ideal daytime temperature is between 68 degrees Fahrenheit and 85 degrees Fahrenheit.

Cold nights below 60 degrees Fahrenheit can also put a hold on the ripening process.

Plant Health

Compared to unhealthy or stressed plants, a fully grown, healthy plant with adequate access to sunlight, water, and nutrients will speed up the ripening process.

How To Help Your Tomatoes Turn Red?

Here are some strategies that will help your tomatoes turn red and allow them to ripen faster:

• Strategically plant the trees to avoid the scorching sun and use shade cloth, covers, and taller plants to provide relief.
• Harvest tomatoes indoors and allow them to reach full size and the ripening stage indoors.
• Water consistently, but avoid underwatering or overwatering your tomatoes.
• Make sure the plants receive 6-8 hours of direct sunlight.
• Natural ripening agents such as Ethylene Powder will speed up the ripening process.
• The above methods will help you speed up the ripening process, but sometimes, the best approach is patience. Allowing the tomatoes to ripen at their own pace with the right conditions will give you the desired results.

What To Do With The Tomatoes That Won’t Turn Red?

If you are disappointed by a vine full of stubborn green tomatoes, then this is what you can do:

1. Give Them Enough Time

Allow the tomatoes some more time to reach their full size and show color at the blossom end. After that, pick them and let them ripen indoors. Store them inside a paper bag with a ripe banana or an apple. Doing this will help to ripen the fruits easier, as it releases ethylene gas, which in turn speeds up the ripening process.

2. Create Something Unique

If the tomatoes fail to show their usual dazzling red color, it’s time to step into the kitchen and try some unique and delicious recipes. Use the green tomatoes and create unique recipes.

3. Speed Up The Ripening Process

If the winter chill is knocking at the door, all you can do is speed up the ripening process after carefully removing the tomatoes from the vine. Place the freshly plucked tomatoes in a warm, well-ventilated spot and cluster them together in a box to speed up the process of ripening green tomatoes into red ones.

4. Plan For Future

For the next season, consider planting varieties generally known for early ripening, primarily if you reside in a climate with shorter growing seasons.

Final Words

By understanding the issues deeply, gardeners can take the essential steps to make their tomatoes turn a beautiful and vibrant red. With a little patience and attention, you can now help your tomatoes turn red and enjoy a bountiful harvest.