Welcome Winter

[jackb]

I know it is not nice to fool Mother Nature, however, I think it is very appropriate that my indoor tomatoes are starting to ripen on the first day of winter.

 

[ninnymary]

Jackb, where are all the leaves? Do you take most of them off? If so, why?

Mary

 

[jackb]

Jackb, where are all the leaves? Do you take most of them off? If so, why?



Mary

I removed the leaves on the side of the plant with most of the fruit. The other side of the plant has a lot of leaves, but the fruit is still green. Leaves turn brown, naturally, as the plant ages. If more than half of the stem has brown leaves, I remove it. This plant is determinate and its life cycle will be over shortly, so I wanted LOTS of light on the fruit to hasten ripening.

Here is the left side. When I want these to ripen I will begin removing the leaves. Let's face it, at 100 watts I am not concerned about sun scald.

 

[lesa]

Now that is the way to welcome winter! Nicely done, Jackb!

 

[jackb]

Now that is the way to welcome winter! Nicely done, Jackb!

Thanks Lesa. Perhaps Santa is bringing you a hydroponic system this weekend. I will replace this plant with two Mountain Princess tomato plants, and I am also growing a Giant Marconi pepper, which should prove a challenge.
Happy Holidays.
Jack