How to save tomato seeds
Would someone explain how to save seeds from my heirloom tomatoes? It seems like it must be harder than saving seeds from most fruits -- the tomatoes are so wet inside. Or is it just a matter of rinsing and then letting them dry thoroughly before storing?
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rhinosaur
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- Joined: Sat Jul 26, 2008 2:06 pm
- Location: Central North Carolina (Zone 7b)
I was wondering about this same thing. If any experienced tomato grower has an answer, I would also like to hear it.
The seeds are coated in slimy gel, which is pretty much impossible to remove. I just dried it all without removing this coating, and will hope for the best next year. If they don't germinate I'll just buy some little plants from the farmer's market -- tomato plants are cheap!
The seeds are coated in slimy gel, which is pretty much impossible to remove. I just dried it all without removing this coating, and will hope for the best next year. If they don't germinate I'll just buy some little plants from the farmer's market -- tomato plants are cheap!
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David Taylor
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- Location: Crest California
Considering how popular tomatoes are, you'd think there'd be all sorts of people posting personal ideas on this. My problem is 'volunteers', mostly Romas, breaking out all over the garden. In the corn, the squash, the cucumbers. I've never saved tomato seeds on purpose, but here is what my Rodale's Garden Answers book says under "Saving Tomato Seeds':
1. Scrape the pulp and seeds from several fruits, or blend the fruits briefly in a blender. Put in a jar with a cup of water for each cup of fruit pulp and stir.
2. Keep the jar at room temperature for several days, stirring twice a day. Look for bubbles at the surface or for a dense layer of foul-smelling mold. At this point, add some water and stir vigorously until most of the seed has dropped to the bottom.
3. Skim off any floating seeds and mold, and pour off some of the water. Add clean water; stir and skim again. When the seeds are clean pour off all the water.
4. Spread clean seeds on a window screen or ceramic plate to dry.
This is under the section 'Saving Seeds', page 81, Copyright 1995, and if anyone were to tell me that this was some kind of a joke, I'd believe them.
1. Scrape the pulp and seeds from several fruits, or blend the fruits briefly in a blender. Put in a jar with a cup of water for each cup of fruit pulp and stir.
2. Keep the jar at room temperature for several days, stirring twice a day. Look for bubbles at the surface or for a dense layer of foul-smelling mold. At this point, add some water and stir vigorously until most of the seed has dropped to the bottom.
3. Skim off any floating seeds and mold, and pour off some of the water. Add clean water; stir and skim again. When the seeds are clean pour off all the water.
4. Spread clean seeds on a window screen or ceramic plate to dry.
This is under the section 'Saving Seeds', page 81, Copyright 1995, and if anyone were to tell me that this was some kind of a joke, I'd believe them.
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Andy Chapman
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