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Hi, We now have three ripening clusters of Stupice tomatoes, which
appear
like cherry tomatoes about 1 1/4" diameter, even though they are not
classified as such. Also a ripening Beam's Yellow Pear tomato which
appears
¾" long. How long should they remain ripe-on-the-vine for optimum
size and taste? Is the best time to pick after a full day of sun?
Regards, Phil

simy1 · Guest

silicontundra@yahoo.com wrote:

sherwindu · Guest

Color is a good indicator. When the Yellow Pear turn completely yellow, that is

probably the optimum time. If you leave them on too long, they will start to
develop
a brownish cast, which is a sign of over ripeness. The red tomatoes behave
differently depending on variety. Some will turn completely red or purple,
while others stubbornly won't change color, close to the stem. I will give
these later tomatoes a few days of sun to completely color up, but if they start
showing signs of
over softness, I pick them anyways. The longer you can keep them on the vine
without spoiling, the sweeter they become. Once you sample taste them, you can
associate color with amount of ripeness.

Sherwin D.

silicontundra@yahoo.com wrote:

Guest

simy1 wrote:

simy1 · Guest

silicontundra@yahoo.com wrote:

Guest

simy1 wrote:

Penelope Periwinkle · Guest

On 24 Aug 2006 14:57:43 -0700, silicontundra@yahoo.com wrote:

simy1 · Guest

silicontundra@yahoo.com wrote:

Guest

Penelope Periwinkle wrote:

Guest

William L. Rose wrote:

William L. Rose · Guest

Phil,
the Summer was disappointing here in Northern California. The season got
off to a late start, for us, with heavy rains through April. Normally we
are in the ground by the first of April. I haven't grown heirloom
tomatoes before but they have given a good accounting of themselves.
They even ripened before my "Early Girls". Right now, I am where we
normally are by the first of August. But of course the mildew has
arrived, killing off the squash, except for the lemon cucumber, and is
starting to move on to the tomatoes. This must sound wonderful to you,
but it is not what the locals expect here.

The Brandywines have been great, large, meaty, with good acid to give
them that tang. The Striped Germans where large and meaty but with
decidedly less tang (acidity). Both were good and both give lots of
liquids if left over night. I'm glad that I planted some Juliets for my
salsa sauce. The Early Girls, First Lady, and the Juliets are still
producing unblemished fruit, whereas the Brandywines and the Striped
Germans are showing considerable cosmetic damage.

I am surprised how quickly the Brandywine and Striped German deteriorate
once they are picked. But they are large and delicious.

Next year, I hope to try more types of tomatoes but I know that the
Early Girls, First Lady, Juliets, Brandywine and Striped Germans will
figure into my plantings.

My biggest failure this year has been my peppers. The jalapenos and the
habaneros have done just fine but the milder Italian and Hungarian
haven't had the heat or time that they needed.

This was my first year to try to grow from seed and these and the
medicinal herbs were among my disasters. Wait till next year.

Mean while I have been working the grape harvest for the last six weeks.
We have brought in half of the winery's harvest and plan to finish this
Friday! Lordy, Lordy. Overtime is not all that one could hope for.

Down with Bush.

Peace.

- Bill

William Rose · Guest

Phil,
the cracking in your tomatoes was due to excessive expansion in the
tomatoes because of absorbing too much water.

My cucurbits (sp?) have fallen to the midew.

The late rain (April) here in Northern California will probably
translate into fewer excellent wines this year. The mildew established
itself in the flowers and subsequently in the grapes which are now
molding from the inside out.

Some of my experimental plants (tomatoes and peppers) are so close to
producing fruit but the night time temps are falling into the low
forties and the plants aren't responding. November is a couple of weeks
away and the chance of more heat seems very unlikely.

I probably won't try the First Lady tomato again because the Striped
German and Branywine are so good. I need a good early season tomato and
maybe a good paste tomato.

I definitley will try to get an earlier start will my seedlings and
hopefully the weather will cooperate.

I was trying for a fall garden, but one of my dogs wiped out 2/3s of it.
Sigh.

Anyway, let me know how your tomatoes do next year and which ones you
prefer.

Stay warm.

- Bill

Coloribus gustibus non disputatum.