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Leave red tomatoes so others ripen?

tomhumftomhumf Posts: 65
in Fruit & veg
I seem to remember someone telling me you shouldn't pick the first tomatoes that go red as they help the others ripen. I can't seem to find anything about this so maybe it's not true?

I couldn't resist picking a couple but not sure if I should leave some ripe red ones on the vines... Do people wait for the whole set to turn red? Thanks 

Posts

  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    I pick them as they get ripe.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • purplerallimpurplerallim Posts: 5,287
    I must admit that somewhere in the past it was said that ripe tomatoes give off "something" that encourages others to ripen, don't know if it's true.🤔
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I pick as they ripen - same as @JennyJ. I've never seen it affect the ripening of the other fruits. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Nanny BeachNanny Beach Posts: 8,719
    Yes at the end of the season,a bananas laid on the plants to help ripening, probably, although they will ripen in a dark drawer or cupboard. Yes pick them as they ripen, otherwise they will go soft
  • Nanny BeachNanny Beach Posts: 8,719
    Ethylene
  • purplerallimpurplerallim Posts: 5,287
    Thanks @Nanny Beach knew I'd heard of something.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I've never done any of the banana or dark drawer stuff for unripened fruits.  They just need warmth, so bringing them into a warm room is all they need.  :)

    I don't have ripe bananas anyway. I eat them when they're green  :D
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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