Why won't my tomatoes ripen??

[sharkirasharkira]

I have some fancy tomatoes called indigo rose and Indigo kumquat - they are cherry type and red/black and orange/black respectively.

They've been growing really lovely for weeks now, especially the kumquat ones, the plant is huge and has loooooads of tomatoes on it.

But they won't bloody ripen! They are still green/black after weeks, possibly months of first appearing and I don't know what to do with them. Any ideas? They are grown outside in full sun and in compost if that's any help.

It’s been a while since I grew tomatoes but I seem to recall that you are supposed to stop them growing any more so that they the plan can put its energy into ripening the fruit it has instead of just growing more fruit. I haven’t e planned it very well but I hope you get the idea.

Temperature is an important factor. Too cold or too hot, will prevent the tomato from ripening.

Cause it’s too hot!

Put an apple on the ground in between them.

It will give off the right gases to prompt them to start ripening.

An apple? Might have to try that.

Mine are slow ripening too. I assumed it was the heat. What happens in Italy though? Better soil and slightly cooler climate?

apples or bananas ....
and once one tomato starts to ripen, they all will

I've finally had one ripen today after what seems like weeks of waiting, maybe the drop in temp has helped.

Leave it on the plant until its REALLY ripe
as then it will set the others going