This wonderful series of photographs shows the progression from tiny bud (day 0) to pollinated flower (day 12) -- and so on all the way to fully ripe fruit (day 57) ... and then the sad decline to rotten.

It's been offered on many threads to answer complaints like "Why aren't my tomatoes growing?" and "My tomatoes should have been ripe by now!"

As I understand it, Tomato Site was the product of a former member, Paul2101. I don't remember what else he had on his site, but I also had the main page bookmarked in the category I have for tomato databases and sites with good variety information.

Whoops, I just went to pull it from my faves, and you're right, gone with the wind.LOL

Yes, Paul used to post here a lot and did the uploading of many of the new at the time FAQ's that we did here several years ago as you can see from the credits given at the end of the various articles.

Carolyn

Just to make sure I understand ... (and I did a search but still wasn't sure), is it correct that once the tomato has started to turn whatever color it is supposed to be when it's ripe, which is called "color break," you can pick it and it won't affect the flavor?

I am growing some new kinds and I don't know when to pick.

I haven't been doing this actually, I've been leaving them on a few more days.

But I want to make sure I understand. It is okay to pick the tomato once the color has *started* to develop?

Is there a way to tell if the calyx is closed? Does it look shriveled or something?

Thanks!!! This is kind of exciting!