Cinnamon Posted August 23, 2010 Share Posted August 23, 2010 I have had a good crop this year,and all the fruits are massive, bit stubbornly staying green. I much prefer the flavor of red peppers, so how can I encourage them to ripen? They are a red variety, as are the still green but HUGE chillies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bramble Posted August 23, 2010 Share Posted August 23, 2010 Putting ripe bananas (or even just banana skins) near to tomato plants (even hanging them from the plants themselves) helps tomatoes to ripen, I've never tried it with peppers, but it might work? Good luck!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SJChick Posted August 23, 2010 Share Posted August 23, 2010 Hi Yes, I agree with above. We put green tomatoes in a paper bag with a very ripe banana and left them for a few days last year and turned red fairly quickly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms Marple Posted August 23, 2010 Share Posted August 23, 2010 Yes I agree with this too. Bananas produce ethene (ethylene) which speeds up the ripening process in other fruits as well as in bananas themselves. So keep the bananas very close - inside a paper bag slows down the escape of the ethene a bit too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madchook Posted August 24, 2010 Share Posted August 24, 2010 I haven't had a single ripe tomato yet and the plants are mammoth and heavy with fruit~ would bananas work if I want to leave them on the plant outside? This is the first time I have grown them outside instead of the greenhouse ehere they always get blight...can't win Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms Marple Posted August 24, 2010 Share Posted August 24, 2010 I think it is worth a try - it would perhaps help if you could perhaps put them inside a plastic bag whilst still on the plant. i would but my dogs would eat the them so I would get nowhere fast They are very partial to a ripe banana.....anything edible in fact. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...