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Leave Toms on Torn Stem?

Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2021 6:48 pm
by PNW_D
Did not notice this tomato branch until it was too late ........ six lovely Loxton Lad tomatoes so heavy the branch was torn from the main stem .....

my question - is it better to leave these on the torn stem to ripen or should each one be cut off and wrapped with newsprint - they are just starting to lighten with a suggestion of colour
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Re: Leave Toms on Torn Stem?

Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2021 7:31 pm
by slugworth
I would pick and leave them loose.
You might be able to recover the fruitless stem via cloning.
viewtopic.php?f=12&t=2734

Re: Leave Toms on Torn Stem?

Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2021 7:34 pm
by slugworth
My severed limb is still alive in a juicy potting soil mix with 1 green tomato.
That may be the limit for a no roots stem.

Re: Leave Toms on Torn Stem?

Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2021 10:46 pm
by JRinPA
I'd put the cut end in a little bag of dirt and keep it wet (or re-bury the end) if I wanted to try to save them. They look big enough to try to save to me.

Re: Leave Toms on Torn Stem?

Posted: Fri Aug 13, 2021 9:18 am
by Growing Coastal
Any unripe tomatoes have always gotten ripe for me.
We see tomatoes on a truss at the stores so I think you can leave it as is or separate them and let them ripen that way.

Re: Leave Toms on Torn Stem?

Posted: Fri Aug 13, 2021 10:16 am
by bower
I wouldn't leave main stem or wilted leaves attached as they may quickly mold and spread rot to the tomatoes. But I often do include the fruit stems when ripening something that got severed from the vine. I put multiple clusters like that in a clean 1020 or tray of some kind and cover with paper, check occasionally for ripe and take care to remove anything that goes moldy. As long as the fruit stems are healthy and no spot of mold, that doesn't happen.

Re: Leave Toms on Torn Stem?

Posted: Fri Aug 13, 2021 2:06 pm
by PNW_D
thank you all for your input ......

due to space constraints, think I'll remove from main steam, half wrap and keep an eye on them