Does anyone know how this works??... or is it just one of those things people have done for years but doesn't really do anything?
2006-10-02 03:47:33 · 5 answers · asked by Jembee1720 4 in Home & Garden ➔ Garden & Landscape
I think fruit ripens anyway, mine certainly does (except melons). Paper bags help to crontrol moisture, carrots, potatoes and mushrooms do better in paper bags as they go slimey in plastic.
2006-10-02 03:56:08 · answer #1 · answered by NikC 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tomatoes can be helped to ripen by putting them in a bag because it captures ethylene gas that ripening fruit emits, and concentrates it, rather than simply allowing it to escape into the surrounding air. Commercial growers often use ethylene gas from cylinders to help ripen various types of crops. You can put a slice of apple in with the tomatoes to help things along; apples emit a LOT of ethylene gas as they ripen. It's also helpful to leave the tomatoes on the stem (if these are tomatoes that you have grown), as the presence of the stem helps them continue to produce sugar. Peaches, unfortunately, do not respond very well to ethylene gas in my experience, although I wish they did!
2006-10-02 11:00:29 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
These fruits ripen in the presence of ethylene gas as well as on the tree/vine. Since the fruits themselves product the gas, you are just increasing the concentration by storing them in a bag or a plastic, ventilated 'fruit ripener.'
2006-10-02 12:25:40 · answer #3 · answered by Cornpatch 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's true, it helps them.
They CAN ripen on their own outside a bag, but blocking light seems to help.
2006-10-02 10:50:42 · answer #4 · answered by northernbornsoutherner 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yep. they are about the only two veggies/fruits that do ripen after they are picked!
2006-10-02 10:55:12 · answer #5 · answered by Dragonflygirl 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋