Member discussion regarding the methods, varieties and merits of growing tomatoes.
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June 15, 2013 | #1 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Indiana
Posts: 1,124
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When is a black tomato ripe?
I'm growing 3 "black" tomatoes this year:
Black Cherry (really nice looking plant -- more compact than many cherries.) Black Perth Pride (from the dwarf tomato project) How can I tell when they are ripe? I suspect that one must look for slightly different color changes on differing black tomatoes? I previously grew only one black tomato ever -- Southern Night, and I never did figure out how to tell when it was ripe. Hope to do better with this go-round! Thanks, GG |
June 15, 2013 | #2 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: NJ, zone 7
Posts: 3,162
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Most black varieties ready when a bit softer, shoulders will stay green on some varieties.
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June 15, 2013 | #3 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Alabama
Posts: 7,068
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It will take some practice to get to where you know when each different variety of black tomato is ripe. Some are ripe on one variety when others that look the same are not ripe on another variety. There is a big difference in the shelf life of some of the blacks also. I remember getting a little frustrated when I first started growing them because it took me a while to figure when the various black tomatoes were ripe. The color and ripe stage can also vary with the weather.
Bill |
June 16, 2013 | #4 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Sacramento, California
Posts: 267
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I usually go by feel. They should be soft but not too soft.
For black cherry in particular, I think that variety is better when not fully ripe. When they get purplish/burgundy I am not a fan of the texture or color. |
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