Gardening

raccoon

(31,454 posts) Thu Oct 30, 2014, 07:17 AM Oct 2014

How can I save my Campari tomatoes? I raised some plants from seeds in the tomatoes I

bought from the grocery store.

They have produced maybe 20 fruits. They are all still green and the largest ones about the size of a large marble.

Tonight it's going down to the upper 30's.

Should I pick them now (along with a piece of the vine still attached) and bring them indoors? I guess if I don't do it
before the first frost, that will kill them.

3 replies

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How can I save my Campari tomatoes? I raised some plants from seeds in the tomatoes I (Original Post) raccoon Oct 2014 OP

Upper 30's will not kill them randr Oct 2014 #1

If you are going to have still warm days dixiegrrrrl Oct 2014 #2

I don't think they can be saved, but Curmudgeoness Oct 2014 #3

randr

(12,479 posts)

1. Upper 30's will not kill them

Reply to raccoon (Original post)

Thu Oct 30, 2014, 08:10 AM

Oct 2014

You may find plant covers at your local garden supply store. They work fine for temps in the mid 30's.
If you decide to pick them place them on a plate and enjoy them as they ripen.

dixiegrrrrl

(60,011 posts)

2. If you are going to have still warm days

Reply to raccoon (Original post)

Thu Oct 30, 2014, 08:20 AM

Oct 2014

you can wrap a sheet or light blanket or even a sheet of plastic around the plant(s), taking it off promptly in the am so the sun can do its work. They should do well as long as daytime temps are 70 or above and there is not direct cold wind.

If you are going to have much cooler weather day and night, you can bring the fruits indoors and they will ripen in the house, away from direct sunlight.

altho, for tomatoes the size of a marble, might not be worth it, they will not grow much in cool temps.

Curmudgeoness

(18,219 posts)

3. I don't think they can be saved, but

Reply to raccoon (Original post)

Thu Oct 30, 2014, 05:35 PM

Oct 2014

covering them with sheets might prolong the plant. These tomatoes are too small to ripen after taken off the plants, so you would have to save the plants to get them to grow, if the temps will get high enough for them to keep growing.

If you ever have tomatoes that are full grown but still green, you can ripen them by putting them in a paper bag. I always do this with the ones that are a decent size and it has always worked out for me....as long as I don't forget to check them occasionally.

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