How To Save Tomato Seeds
Have you considered saving tomato seeds from this years crop to grow tomatoes from seed next year? It's a bit messy, but it's easy to save tomato seeds.
Resist the urge to eat your best one or two tomatoes. These are the tomatoes you want to get your seeds from to ensure the best genes possible.
Tomato seeds are in a gel like sack that prevents them from germinating while they are still in the fruit.
In nature these seeds are released when the tomatoes fall of the plant, rot and ferment. Saving tomatoes seeds involves speeding up the fermentation process.
Resist the urge to eat your best one or two tomatoes. These are the tomatoes you want to get your seeds from to ensure the best genes possible.
Tomato seeds are in a gel like sack that prevents them from germinating while they are still in the fruit.
In nature these seeds are released when the tomatoes fall of the plant, rot and ferment. Saving tomatoes seeds involves speeding up the fermentation process.
Getting The Seeds Out Of Your Tomato
It is easier to get the seeds out of the tomato if you slice it across the equator. (stem on on end and blossom on the other)
Get a clean jar or bowl and scoop the seeds and pulp into it.
Get a clean jar or bowl and scoop the seeds and pulp into it.
Fermenting The Pulp
Check that the seeds are floating in liquid. If they aren't add a bit of water, just enough to get them to float.
The fermenting pulp has a bit of an odor so you may want to find a spot that's out of the way of your normal day to day activities.
Cover the mixture with plastic wrap or cheese cloth to keep out the fruit flies.
If you use plastic wrap be sure to poke some air hole in it to allow the mixture to breath.
Place the seeds in a warm place like a window sill and allow it to ferment for 2 to 4 days.
The fermentation process is complete when you see a layer of mold on the top and the good seeds have sunk to the bottom.
Don't leave the seeds past this point or they may start to germinate.
The fermenting pulp has a bit of an odor so you may want to find a spot that's out of the way of your normal day to day activities.
Cover the mixture with plastic wrap or cheese cloth to keep out the fruit flies.
If you use plastic wrap be sure to poke some air hole in it to allow the mixture to breath.
Place the seeds in a warm place like a window sill and allow it to ferment for 2 to 4 days.
The fermentation process is complete when you see a layer of mold on the top and the good seeds have sunk to the bottom.
Don't leave the seeds past this point or they may start to germinate.
Separating The Tomato Seeds From The Mixture
You can peel of the top layer of mold to make separating the seeds from the mixture easier.
Add water and shake the mixture.
The scum and dud seeds will float to the top, and the good seeds will sink to the bottom.
Gently pour off the scum and dud seeds that are floating on the top.
You may have to repeat the process of adding water, shaking and pouring off the scum a few times until you are left with just the good seeds.
Placing your seeds in a sieve and rinsing them off under a tap will remove any remaining pulp.
Add water and shake the mixture.
The scum and dud seeds will float to the top, and the good seeds will sink to the bottom.
Gently pour off the scum and dud seeds that are floating on the top.
You may have to repeat the process of adding water, shaking and pouring off the scum a few times until you are left with just the good seeds.
Placing your seeds in a sieve and rinsing them off under a tap will remove any remaining pulp.
Drying And Storing Your Tomato Seeds
Find something that you can spread your seeds evenly out on such as a baking sheet or plate.
Spread them out and leave them in a warm dry place for a day or two until they are completely dry.
I don't think it's a good idea to store your seeds in plastic bags because the bag will retain any moisture that happens to be left on the seeds.
Instead put them in a brown envelope and store them in a cool, dry location.
Spread them out and leave them in a warm dry place for a day or two until they are completely dry.
I don't think it's a good idea to store your seeds in plastic bags because the bag will retain any moisture that happens to be left on the seeds.
Instead put them in a brown envelope and store them in a cool, dry location.
Conclusion
If you plan to grow tomatoes from seed next year why not consider saving tomato seeds from your best tomatoes this year?After all it's not that difficult to save tomato seeds, even if it is a bit messy.
by TomatoTom
TomatoTom
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