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I noticed some spotting on my seeds post fermentation. I'm just wondering if I did something wrong, or left them too long? I've been collecting seeds like this for a few years. Maybe I just never noticed it before...idk... Tell me what you think! Should I pick them out?

Do a float test, if they sink keep those, toss the ones that float.

Yep good advice it's what I'd do too....I think I also read somewhere ( can't recall where at the moment ) that testing has shown that tomato seed germination is best when seeds are soaked for only one to two days before they are rinsed and dried, and that anything over that time may have a negative effect.......

I read on a French tomato gardening forum last year that those spotted, blackened seeds are normal and doesn't affect germination. And you needn't be concerned if you receive them in trade or in seed packets. (I don't think I can find the link again)

But it IS true you should discard any floaters when fermenting and rinsing, and you should not soak/ferment too long because some of the seeds will start to germinate or enter pre-germination phase. Those seeds when dried will not germinate later.

I'm not sure if you want to soak and do a float test at this point (if the seeds have dried already) because that might cause them to trigger germination. You may want to do a simple germination test later.

Those spots are normal, and harmless.Earlier this year I did lots of fermentation to give out seeds in a SASE offer, and had many of those.

They all sank while doing the rinsing/water changing.

They're taking a long time to ferment this year! I can't get the gel off in 2 days! These fermented for 4-6 days. Some were quicker than others.

I did several rinses when I pulled them off the counter for drying. I swirl, pour off the scum, fill with clean water, swirl, pour off the scum, repeat, repeat, strain. They all sank.

I have tons of seeds from 3 years ago. They look normal and dry. I'd like to see if they are still viable!

How do you do a simple germination test?

I do plan on trading seeds this year! Is there a topic on "Trading Etiquette"? How many seeds are expected? How are they expected to be packaged? Anything else I'm forgetting?

What I do with papaya seeds because they have an even thicker gel layer than tomatoes is to rub them gently against a strainer when I rinse them. It helps to get the gel off.

I would put about enough seeds in a packet that the average person can use plus a few more in case they don't germinate. The number of seeds in a commercial packet is between 10-25 of the larger seeds of long lived plants like papaya, and plants that most people only need one or two of. Plants that have small seeds, poor germination or you would use a lot of in a season, like lettuce, would have a couple of hundred seeds (about a teaspoon or two.)

You can do a seed test anytime by placing 10 seeds on a damp paper towel and put it in a bag and then check in a week and see how many germinated and figure out your germination percentage by multiplying by 10.

For seeds it is a good idea to store them in a paper envelope in a ziploc bag in the frig. Make sure you label the type of seeds and the date or at least the year collected. If you have a lot of seed it is better to put only as much seed in a single envelope that you are likely to sow at one time. Water can condense in plastic bags and spoil the seeds if they are taken in and out of the cold too often and there are too many seeds in the bag. (Been there, done that and lost a bunch of seeds that way.)

Lindsaylew82 wrote:They all sank while doing the rinsing/water changing.

Sinkers have filled germs, they should be viable

Lindsaylew82 wrote:They're taking a long time to ferment this year! I can't get the gel off in 2 days! These fermented for 4-6 days. Some were quicker than others.

Use a wire whip and knock the to-be-fermented seed around a little, than let 'em ferment.

Lindsaylew82 wrote:I did several rinses when I pulled them off the counter for drying. I swirl, pour off the scum, fill with clean water, swirl, pour off the scum, repeat, repeat, strain. They all sank.

Sinkers (in fermented tomato seed) are keepers once fully dried.

Lindsaylew82 wrote:I have tons of seeds from 3 years ago. They look normal and dry. I'd like to see if they are still viable!

How do you do a simple germination test?

Dampen a piece of paper towel sprinkle a couple seeds and fold over paper towel and put inna ziplock baggie. Park this bindle on a sunny window sill. Viable seed will germinate (a root will poke out) in just a couple days.

I do plan on trading seeds this year! Is there a topic on "Trading Etiquette"? How many seeds are expected? How are they expected to be packaged? Anything else I'm forgetting?[/quote]

Lindsaylew82 wrote:
I do plan on trading seeds this year! Is there a topic on "Trading Etiquette"? How many seeds are expected? How are they expected to be packaged? Anything else I'm forgetting?

When I did my offer, I put up a thread with descriptions, and asked for a PM to be sent with their requests, to which I answered with my address so they could send the SASE. My offer was from 6-10 seeds, which I packaged in little jewelry mini ziplock baggies (100 at Walmart in crafts section for a $1). You can also use paper coin envelopes. You put a variety in the envelope or baggie, mark the name and the year on it so people will know how old they are later. If you want, you can put your username on the baggie too. Then , and this is important, get paper toweling enough to wrap the seeds at least 3 layers around, and securely tape the tops of the baggies down to the fist layer of paper toweling. This keeps them from moving around in the envelope, thus protecting them from post office rollers. Then wrap the paper toweling at least 3 times over the affixed seeds, and place in the person's enclosed stamped envelope.
You can still see my offer in the seed trading section, but the offer is closed.
On the outside of the envelope I always write" Please do not X-Ray, contains live garden seeds.
I sure hope you find this helpful Lindsay

Very helpful! Thank y'all!