hothouse tomatoes - Ask Extension
I previously asked about Jon's study of picking tomatoes at blush, but now thought of an important issue. If flavor is not sacrificed by early pickin...
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hothouse tomatoes #880696
Asked August 08, 2024, 12:01 PM EDT
I previously asked about Jon's study of picking tomatoes at blush, but now thought of an important issue. If flavor is not sacrificed by early picking, then why are hothouse tomatoes tasteless and feel like cardboard - so worthless. Is it the medium planted in, absence of natural temp and weather fluctuations, excessive fertilizer for faster growth, how pollinated, or picking early for long distance shipping? .Presumably a hothouse with air circulation should be ideal conditions, so why not ideal results?
Anne Arundel County Maryland
Expert Response
PS Or could the poor flavor and texture be due to the variety used, which is chosen for other favorable factor?
As you noted, it is probably primarily a function of the cultivars the commercial greenhouses are using, likely chosen for their ability to withstand shipping and handling well with less bruising, spoilage, etc. Growing conditions can indeed also contribute to fruit flavor and quality, and the stresses of growing outdoors in conditions of weather fluctuations and pest and pathogen attacks could influence flavor. (While supplemental lighting that might be used in greenhouses can be bright, it's still not the intensity of natural sunlight, which would also probably be reduced a bit by the glass roof and any shade cloth the grower might be using to help keep manage temperature. As another environmental factor, the growing media (potting mix) that is used may also play a role.
Miri
Miri