Tomatoes not ripening - Ask Extension
Hi,
My tomatoes are not ripening, and I have noticed that the vines are not as vigorous as last year.
The cultivar is Park’s Whopper Improved. (in...
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Tomatoes not ripening #846871
Asked August 22, 2023, 7:01 PM EDT
Hi,
My tomatoes are not ripening, and I have noticed that the vines are not as vigorous as last year.
The cultivar is Park’s Whopper Improved. (indeterminate, 65-70 days maturity after transplant).
- Before planting added 4” of leaf compost (leaf-gro) to top 12” of soil.
-Transplanted 06/04/23 added mycorrhiza to hole.
-First few weeks fertilized with liquid Miracle-Gro Quick-Start (4-12-4).
-Pinched first flowers to encourage growth.
- 6 1/2 weeks after transplant side dressed with 4-5-3 (organic) as first fruits appeared (7/25/23)
- Drip irrigation 2”/week trying to keep soil consistently moist.
-Recent soil test by U. Delaware shows plenty (even excessive) P, K, Ca, Mg, and micronutrients.
It has been almost a month since fruit first set and 77 days since transplant. And, as I said, the vines do not look that vigorous.
I am wondering whether I need to add N. If this is the case, for a quick boost, should I use urea or blood meal?
Thank you!
Baltimore County Maryland
Expert Response
Hi- most MD gardeners are finding that their tomato crop is taking 2-3 additional weeks to ripen this year, mostly due to cool spring temperatures. Ripening actually slows when day and night temperatures are high (>90 degrees F and >75 degrees F, respectively).
The bigger concern is the reduced vine vigor. Fruits that are fully exposed to direct sunlight are vulnerable to sunscald. We suggest picking fruits as soon as they start to turn color on the bottom and letting them ripen indoors. You have done everything right to grow healthy tomato plants. (We suggest not spending money on mycorrhizae products in the future. They will not provide benefits in your garden.)
Reduced vigor can be caused by insufficient sunlight. Nutrient supply does not seem to be the problem. The light green leaf color and weak growth could also be explained by poor root growth and nutrient uptake caused by soil compaction or subsoil high in clay.
It would not hurt to lightly fertilize with urea or blood meal to see if you get a plant response.
Jon
The bigger concern is the reduced vine vigor. Fruits that are fully exposed to direct sunlight are vulnerable to sunscald. We suggest picking fruits as soon as they start to turn color on the bottom and letting them ripen indoors. You have done everything right to grow healthy tomato plants. (We suggest not spending money on mycorrhizae products in the future. They will not provide benefits in your garden.)
Reduced vigor can be caused by insufficient sunlight. Nutrient supply does not seem to be the problem. The light green leaf color and weak growth could also be explained by poor root growth and nutrient uptake caused by soil compaction or subsoil high in clay.
It would not hurt to lightly fertilize with urea or blood meal to see if you get a plant response.
Jon
Thank you!
Pedro N. Safier
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