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East Carbon, Utah

Responding to some comments under other topics about weight gain, tomato density and when to pick tomatoes...

Last year I tracked growth rates of >1,200 tomatoes, many of them from bud to first bite. This included calculating densities of >750 tomatoes at all stages of ripening. Of course there is not space to post all results here, but here are a couple of major findings:

• Once tomatoes begin ripening they quit growing in girth - some actually shrink.
• Ripe tomatoes have an average density of 0.953
• Green tomatoes have an average density of 0.897
• Densities of tomatoes at least >25% ripe are statistically identical to fully ripe tomatoes
• Once picked, tomatoes lose weight on average 0.77% per day

Conclusion: if you're growing for maximum fruit weight, wait until tomatoes get at least a good pink blush before picking, pick in the morning, and weigh immediately if possible. If free of cracks, they can keep for up to 2 weeks in a 50°F fridge, but they will have lost about 10% of their weight.

Eventually I hope to present full results of that research project at www.gianttomatoseeds.com.

3/25/2011 9:51:37 PM

Hamilton Nj

dale, nice info ,those tomatos you posted last year in your diary were awsome lots of variety and good size,everyone should go take a look at dales site very nice !!! cant wait to grow a few of the seeds i got from you pizza

3/25/2011 10:32:18 PM

Canada

Great Info thanks man

Dave

5/4/2011 1:08:30 AM