Saving tomato seeds

[Sylvan]

Call me blind as I'm batty, but I can't find a "search" option anywhere, so humble jalopies if there are already countless threads answering this question.

I know you're supposed to ferment tomato seeds before you dry them, but do any of you actually do so?
Does it make a lot of difference to storage times or germination rates?

[King Carrot]

Lots of info here:

How To Save Seed


I do actually ferment Tom and Cu seeds, each to their own, just like everything else in the garden

[Sylvan]

Thanks King Carrot.

Yes, that was one of the sources I had consulted that recommended fermentation.

I was hoping to find people who had had good results without doing so, since I'm not keen on the idea. (What a wimp! )

[zazen999]

It's really really easy - even my 8yr old students have done it!

3 days, no more no less, pour through old tea strainer, leave to dry and then they can go into little envelopes.

I find a better germination rate and they look better when you swap.

Plus, it gets rid of any malingering viruses that you don't want to pass to the next generation

[Sylvan]

Looks as though I'm going to have to grid my lions and get on with it then.
Do they smell foul?

[Potstubsdustbins]

I hate to admit this but I just pick two or three nice looking tomato's and put them on kitchen roll in the green house. The next spring I put the dried mush in a flour sieve under a running tap to get rid of the dross and plant the seed.

You get so many seeds from one tomato I always end up with more seedlings than I can use.

Colin

[Sylvan]

That sounds encouraging.

At least if I try fermenting them and can't stand the pong I'll have a fallback option.

[zazen999]

They don't smell at all!

[stella]

I just squish seeds out of tom into cup, swish about a bit wash of gubbins put onto kitchen towel, leave to dry, peel off and done. Never had any problem with germination or growing. Didnt know you were suposed to ferment???? Well it works for me

[Sylvan]

Oooh! Thank you.

I hope they don't smell for me either. (I'm a supertaster )

We have plenty of empty bottles...

Goodness knows when we'll next go near a supermarket, but if I can find some "Piccolo" I'll go for it.

I'm already far too excited. I can see cries of "Get a life Mum" coming.

[Flummery]

I've tried both ways. Fermenting - strain them as soon as the gunge is loose enough - 3 days as stated - then they don't niff. I've also wiped them on kitchen towel and dried them like this. Doing it with Green Zebra seeds led to them being referred to in this house as Green Bogies - just like a nasty hanky!

I really prefer the fermentation method as the seeds are easier to handle afterwards.

[Sylvan]

Thanks Flummery.

Your household sounds as bad as ours.

Anything that makes them easier to handle has to be good.
That and the fact that it gets rid of viruses are the clinchers for me.

[taff]

It's simple, stick them in a jar with water, swish them round every day, the third day the viable seeds are sitting on the bottom of the jar [for the most part], rinse, strain, dry.
Even a fool like me can do it

[Sylvan]

Hopefully a fool like me can then.

[Sylvan]

Found some Piccolo today and Grumpy actually likes the taste (It's a miracle! ) so I shall attempt to squeeze some seeds out into a jar tomorrow.

Fingers crossed...