General Botanical Question

ZBQ · September 9, 2006

I know this may sound like a silly question, but it never occured to me till last night.

At what point does in the ripening process of a tomato does the vine stop sending nutrients and water into the fruit? Could someone explain the ripening process in a botanical manner?

Also, I noticed last night when I picked a really nice Red Brandywine that the stem broke away from the vine in much the same way as a deciduous leaf does from the twig. Nice and clean, like there was a spot where it was supposed to break away. I have had others (Black From Tula)that I almost had to cut the stem to get the tom separated from the vine. Is this a variety driven characteristic or something entirely different?

My botanical education has been limited to college courses in general botany, non-ornamental trees and wild flowers, so I have a decent grip on botanical tems, just not with tomatos.

Neil

September 9, 2006	#1
ZBQ Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Southern Ohio Posts: 170	General Botanical Question I know this may sound like a silly question, but it never occured to me till last night. At what point does in the ripening process of a tomato does the vine stop sending nutrients and water into the fruit? Could someone explain the ripening process in a botanical manner? Also, I noticed last night when I picked a really nice Red Brandywine that the stem broke away from the vine in much the same way as a deciduous leaf does from the twig. Nice and clean, like there was a spot where it was supposed to break away. I have had others (Black From Tula)that I almost had to cut the stem to get the tom separated from the vine. Is this a variety driven characteristic or something entirely different? My botanical education has been limited to college courses in general botany, non-ornamental trees and wild flowers, so I have a decent grip on botanical tems, just not with tomatos. Neil