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Why are they like this???

dorisday Posts: 299 Forumite

30 August 2010 at 11:25AM in Gardening

for a couple of days now I have been able to eat some of my Shirley F1tomatoes which have started going red but, they are very watery and I dont like them like this and have ended up throwing them out. Anyone any idea why they are like this and are they all going to be the same?

Look after the pennys and the pounds will look after themselves:money:

Comments

dorisday Posts: 299 Forumite

30 August 2010 at 3:20PM

anyone answers please?:D

Look after the pennys and the pounds will look after themselves:money:
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chog24 Posts: 96 Forumite

30 August 2010 at 4:53PM

There's a similar question asked on HelpfulGardener and the consensus seems to be that the first fruits sometimes are a bit bland. Perhaps the next lot to ripen will taste better?

http://www.helpfulgardener.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=28476&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0&sid=8efc838ae4ea668dd76aeede8e653958

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Ash_McCloud Posts: 21,412 Forumite

30 August 2010 at 4:54PM

I once read that over-watering during ripening accompanied by cool cloudy weather is thought to cause this (don't ask me why )

I only water tomatoes as and when they need it once the fruits are formed and always get good tasty toms

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lizzyb1812 Posts: 1,392 Forumite

30 August 2010 at 5:04PM

I only eat cherry tomatoes raw because the flavour is more intense than the big ones. My Shirleys are big and are all going into the freezer to be used as cooking tomatoes - so it doesn't matter if they are a bit watery as they will cook down.

Mind you - I'm no expert - have grown mine outdside and have just discovered they are a greenhouse tomato :eek:

Wouldn't throw them out though - they'll be fine cooked.

"Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass...it's about learning how to dance in the rain." ~ Vivian Greene
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Farway Posts: 15,243 Forumite

31 August 2010 at 3:50PM

Shirley is a commercial variety, bred for looks, keeping quality & transporting to supermarkets, not for taste

As lizzyb1812 says, fine for cooking, grilling etc, maybe next year try a growing for flavour?

When an eel bites your bum, that's a Moray
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Robert2009 Posts: 342 Forumite

31 August 2010 at 5:59PM

I grew Shirley F1 as well and they are not as good tasting as Ailsa Craig but they were ready a week before Ailsa Craig.

I also grew a new plum tomato variety I got free from somewhere and it is tastier than sweet millions which to me don't taste all that sweet.

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