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Omaha, Ne.

Should I weigh my tomato for the heaviest weight. When it first starts to turn or when it is fully ripe?

7/1/2012 4:31:59 PM

Allentown, PA

Darren,

Do not wait until it's fully ripe.
If you do you will shorten the amount of time the tomato is viable for weigh off, etc.

Also your tomato will weigh more if you pick it prior to it turning ripe.

I hope this helps

7/1/2012 8:18:31 PM

East Carbon, Utah

In 2010 I took frequent (sometimes daily) measurements of over 1,200 tomatoes while they were still on the vine. I also recorded the density of nearly 800 tomatoes from hard green through fully ripe.

Briefly, partly ripe and fully tomatoes have a higher density than do solid green ones. However, I noted on a few occasions that sometimes the fruits would actually shrink as they approached fully ripe, which could offset the higher density.

My recommendation would be to take daily measurements starting about 35 days after fruit set. When you get 2 or 3 days in a row with no growth, then be vigilant. Wait until the tomato is about 25-50% ripe to pick. That seems to be the best compromise between maximum girth and highest density.

More details posted at:

http://www.perrysgreenhouse.com/vbforum/showthread.php?4324-SEAMSFASTER-2010-Big-Tomato-Diary&p=71894#post71894

Of course your weigh-off date will also dictate when you should pick. As mentioned, green or slightly ripe tomatoes will keep much longer - up to 2 weeks or more at 50°.

7/2/2012 2:49:48 AM