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Re: Tomato answers (was re: tomato question)

On Fri 24 Jul, Pat wrote:

> 
> I'm not a botanist (sticking my neck out here -- and probably making some
> scientists smile), but I believe photosynthesis is what makes the plant
> turn green. 
> It has to do with carbon dioxide and light energy and chlorophyll, but I
> don't recall that it has anything to do with the ripening of fruit.

Let's get this straightened up.
The tomatoes turn red as an action rather like rotting, and depends
purely on temperature and not on light on the fruit, as you can prove if
you ripen them in the dark such as in a drawer. However they are never
so sweet as the sugars in tomatoes are generated by light on the leaves,
helped by an adequate supply of potash feed ('liquid sunshine'). I
believe the red only shows up because the green chlorophyll pigment is
breaking down, as in leaves autumn(fall) colour.
Hint:If you want extra sweetness, go easy on the water, but the skins
will be tougher
-- 
Allan Day  Hereford HR2 7AU allan@crwys.demon.co.uk
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