Comments on: Saving Tomato Seeds

By: Reminder: Saving Tomato Seeds | Bifurcated Carrots

Reminder: Saving Tomato Seeds | Bifurcated Carrots — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 16:20:34 +0000

[...] tomatoes (I know I am), I thought I would remind all of you of a post I made in January about Saving Tomato Seeds. If you are growing tomatoes that are not F1 hybrid varieties, you can save your own seeds for [...]

By: Kaye Meiklejohn

Kaye Meiklejohn — Fri, 14 May 2010 08:41:36 +0000

Hi
I too use the method that Claude does. I find it great for the planting season when a number of plants can be handled quickly. In saying that, as mentioned by Patrick, more care has to be taken if sharing or selling seeds.

By: Patrick

Patrick — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 14:10:46 +0000

Hi Jonny D,

Tomato seeds have a gel like coating, and the first advantage to fermenting the seeds is this coating comes off. This means the seeds are cleaner, and don’t stick to each other or the paper they dry on as much.

The other advantage to fermenting them is some diseases are killed in the process. This isn’t so important if you are regrowing them yourself, because these diseases will already be in your garden anyway. On the other hand, if you share the seeds with others, this is a good thing to do to prevent the spread of some diseases.

By: johnny d

johnny d — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 22:51:19 +0000

I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY WE FERMENT.HOW DDOEES THAT HELP THE SEEDS

By: Elias

Elias — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 12:48:09 +0000

Claude I think your idea is very nice. Thanks for sharing

By: Patrick

Patrick — Thu, 26 Oct 2006 21:18:13 +0000

Hi Claude,

Thanks for sharing that with us!

By: Claude Lawrence

Claude Lawrence — Tue, 24 Oct 2006 19:43:08 +0000

An alternative method of saving tomato seeds which I have used without any problems over at least 10 successive seasons.

Remove the tomato seeds together with the associated juice and spread on kitchen paper (any absorbent paper will probably do). Adjust the separation of the seed on the paper to the distance apart required when sowing, being careful not to tear the paper. A blunt knife may be used for this.

Place the paper, seed side up on a flat surface and allow to dry overnight. When dry, the seeds will have stuck to the paper. The variety name should then be written on the paper. The paper, with seeds, may be folded and stored in a cool dry place until required.

To sow the seeds, fill the growing container with moist seed compost to within about 1.5 cm of the top and make sure it is firm and level. Cut the seed paper to the shape of the sowing area and place it on the surface of the compost, seed side up.

Sprinkle compost on the paper until it is no longer visible. Cover with cling film or similar and place in a warm place. Germination takes place in a week or so. Treat the seedlings as normal. Note that most of the paper will have disintegrated.