why aren’t my tomatoes ripening to maturity?

Question

My cherry tomatoes have many orange tomatoes. They have been that way for weeks. They are bitter to taste and the skin is tough, but they are not reddening. I am losing a lot that are splitting. Should I pick them green and hope they turn in a basket on the porch? What else can I do? Does it have anything to do with the weather?

Answer 1

The weather could very well be the problem. When temps are above 85 F, tomatoes slow in ripening. When temps are 95 F or higher, tomatoes can stop ripening all together. Many parts of the country are experiencing high heat, and if you are as well, this could cause the tomatoes to either ripen unevenly or stop ripening all together. It should correct itself when the temps come down. In the meantime, if you are afraid they will either die or you simply cannot wait, you can keep them on a window sill in a sunny location, or for an even faster way, put them in a brown paper bag. Here is more info: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/tomato/how-to-turn-green-tomatoes-red-how-to-store-tomatoes-in-the-fall.htm

As for the splitting, this is called cracking. This article will help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/tomato/tomato-cracking.htm