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njitgrad

when to pick Indigo Apples

njitgrad
9 years ago

It's my first season with Indigo Apples and I'm not sure when to pick them. I typically wait until a red tomato blushes, then I pick it. This variety blushes purple but they seem to be on the small side. See pics below.


Comments (8)

  • seysonn
    9 years ago

    Search "Indigo Rose" in this forum.

    The consensus is to pick it when it gets brown.

  • sheltieche
    9 years ago

    the bottom turns red in my experience

  • jean001a
    9 years ago

    Yes, wait until see some red at the bottom of the fruit.

  • njitgrad
    Original Author
    9 years ago

    So basically the color that I'm seeing right now but throughout?

  • northernmn
    9 years ago

    The colors that you are seeing now are purple/black on top and green below. What they are telling you is the green portion at the bottom will turn to a reddish brown color.

    My experience with Indigo Rose is that the more sunlight the actual tomato gets, the greater the purple/black color coverage. Tomatoes that get a lot off sun exposure will have a very small green area at the bottom to watch for changing color. The tomato should also soften somewhat to the touch.

    Indigo Rose is supposed to be a smaller tomato. Your sizing is normal.

  • njitgrad
    Original Author
    9 years ago

    I have to say they are a very stunning color this morning, I've never seen anything quite like it. I just wish they were a tiny bit larger though. They are now deep purple throughout except for a touch of green on the bottom. All of them still feel a bit firm though. The problem is that I can't determine whether or not to pick them and allow them to ripen indoors. For red tomatoes I usually pick them when they start to blush to avoid splitting, pests, etc.

  • Prachi
    9 years ago

    From what I understand the flavor of these are better if you let them fully ripen on the vine... so the bottom of the tomato (which doesn't get direct sunlight) should be red like a ripe tomato.

    Any areas which get direct sunlight will turn indigo.

    I am guessing since they are smaller in size you are lest likely to have splitting etc.

    My CSA farmer is growing Indigo rose and his is not cracking (but they are on the smaller side as well). He let me try one (usually I'd have to wait till they came in my share), they were good... nice flavor. I am thinking about growing an indigo variety next year. Can post an update on how the indigo apple was?

  • Seysonn_ 8a-NC/HZ-7
    7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    BUMP. ..... one year

    In 2015 I grew one Indigo Rose. It was a Bonnie plant I think. I fell in love with it just being so exotic looking and ornamental. But it was also a good producer well until the end of season.

    This year I also added another indigo : INDIGO APPLE. now the are growing side by side. IA is loaded with fruits and flowers. The IR is losing the competition already. Another advantage of IA is that it starts with some blue from early one.

    Having said all that, next year I will just grow Indigo Apple.

    Sey

    PS: I will update when I get the ripe fruits.

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