HoneyBerry
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Joined: Sat Jul 18, 2015 1:10 pm
Location: Zone 8A Western Washington State

are green tomatoes okay for seed saving?

Just wondering if green tomatoes are good enough for seed saving, or do red tomatoes work better?

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rainbowgardener
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Location: TN/GA 7b

Seeds are not mature in green tomatoes, may not be viable.

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applestar
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Location: Zone 6, NJ (3/M)4/E ~ 10/M(11/B)

IF the green tomato “ripens” indoors, then the seeds will have better chance of being viable. I believe you are still likely to find greater number of “floaters” [= non-viable / immature / empty seeds] and even the “sinkers” [= viable may seeds ] have lower germination % or be less vigorous as seedlings.

Best seeds for saving would be from unblemished fully mature colored (not necessarily ‘red’ BTW)/ripe, full-sized (not runty) fruit from vigorous healthy plant and preferably from more than one plant of the same variety for genetic variation/vigor. And if I were to be even pickier, from fruits that developed from bagged blossoms to isolate them against accidental cross pollination.

(...that’s not to say these are what I save seeds from every time... :oops: )

HoneyBerry
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Posts: 1216
Joined: Sat Jul 18, 2015 1:10 pm
Location: Zone 8A Western Washington State

thanks



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