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Developing Buds
Young buds appear near the apical meristem to
begin the formation of the flower truss or flower cluster.
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Immature flower (closed cone)
As the flower buds develop, the cone elongates
and the yellow of the new formed petals can be seen between
the sepals. |
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Mature flowers (open)
The mature flower appears as a bright yellow
open cone and is ready for pollination. For 'beef' tomatoes,
3 to 5 flowers should be allowed to develop on a healthy truss. |
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Fertilized Flower
Fertilized
flowers are denoted by the appearance of bruises on the anther
cone left by bumble bees while clamping onto and pollinating
the flower. |
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Fruit Set
At
fruit set, flower petals and anthers senesce (die) and fall
away as a pea-sized green fruit appear at each termination of
the flower truss. Typically it takes 45 - 50 more days from
this point before fruit is ready to harvest. |
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Immature Fruit
As
a fruit enlarges, it remains light green in color and very firm
(high turgor pressure). Fruit closest to the plant stem is the
most mature, and thus largest in size. |
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Mature Fruit
Ripening
occurs as the fruit changes color from light green to off-white,
pink, red, and finally dark red or orange. Depending on the
distance and time to market, harvest may occur anytime between
the pink to dark red stage, the later stages producing more
flavorful fruit.
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Pollination Mishaps
Problems with pollination and/or fertilization
can cause fruit disorders such as "cat facing."
If pollen is not evenly distributed on the stigma, all the
ovules are not fertilized, preventing sections of the new
fruit from developing.
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Fruit Disorders
Blossom end rot, a leathery brown patch on the
blossom end of the fruit, is a common nutrient deficiency disorder
affecting tomato plants. It results from a lack of calcium reaching
the developing fruit. |
