Timeline of a Tomato Truss
This series of images shows the life and times of a tomato truss. The variety is Big Beef. It is intended to give some perspective regarding the timing of each stage of development.
Click on the images to enlarge.
|
|
Day 0
Tiny buds are visible on the plant.
|
|
|
Day 3
The buds continue to swell.
|
|
|
Day 7
The blossoms begin to open.
|
|
|
Day 12
Several blossoms have been pollinated and they are fading.
|
|
|
Day 15
The first fruit begins to form.
|
|
|
Day 18
The second fruit begins to form.
|
|
|
Day 21
|
|
|
Day 26
Third fruit is forming. The remaining blossoms on the truss drop
|
|
|
Day 34
Continued fruit development.
|
|
|
Day 37
Continued fruit development.
|
|
|
Day 49
Continued fruit development.
|
|
|
Day 52
Finally, the first fruit begins to color. The fruit has been near full size since day 34 (~18 days). This is why folks think their tomatoes will never ripen!
|
|
|
Day 55
The second fruit begins to break color.
|
|
|
Day 57
The first fruit is in prime condition - five days after the break in color.
|
|
|
Day 62
Notice the the color difference of the third fruit in a single day. Look at day 62 versus day 63.
|
|
|
Day 63
The first fruit is fully ripe. The third fruit begins to break color.
|
|
|
Day 66
The first fruit is beginning to decline. Notice the shrinking around the stem. This fruit has held on the vine for 9 days
|
|
|
Day 72
Heavy rains at day 70 have compromised the entire truss. The first tomato has started to rot. The second on the vine has burst from two much water.
|
|
|
Day 74
Notice how quickly the second fruit declines after the skin was ruptured. The third tomato could still be used but the first two are rotten.
|
|