Tomato seed question?

[Snadger]

I still have beefsteak tomatoes on the vines in the greenhouse. As you can imagine they are taking some time to ripen!

There is one particularily large specimen which I would like to use for this coming seasons seed the problem is its orange and not fully ripe.

If I take it off and ripen it on the windowsill will the seed be viable do you think? Or should i just leave it where it is and hopefully it will go red eventually?

[Aberdeenplotter]

If it were me, I'd have it into the house and on a windowsill where it is a bit warmer with a banana set down beside it. As to whether seed taken from it will be viable, I dunno matey. I have never ever taken seed from a tomato for propagation.

[Snadger]

If it were me, I'd have it into the house and on a windowsill where it is a bit warmer with a banana set down beside it. As to whether seed taken from it will be viable, I dunno matey. I have never ever taken seed from a tomato for propagation.

Its a heritage variety that I've kept seed from for the last three years. No idea what variety it is but its a big un and a tasty un! I'd hate to lose it!

[veggiechicken]

I'd leave it on the plant but put a paper bag over it to speed up ripening - and take precautions against frost

[Jeanied]

I have been amazed at how viable saved tomato seed is Snadger - so ripen it as best you can and have a go!

[Chippy Minton]

Looking at the answers it seems like best to cut half of it off and bring it in and leave the other half on the plant.

Not really but I don't know any of the answers tonight so thought I'd chip in here...

[RaptorUK]

If I take it off and ripen it on the windowsill will the seed be viable do you think? Or should i just leave it where it is and hopefully it will go red eventually?

I have heard it said, and I agree, that fruit does not ripen more when taken from the plant, it will colour up and soften but ripening only happens on the plant.

[Snadger]

I'd leave it on the plant but put a paper bag over it to speed up ripening - and take precautions against frost

I like the bag idea veggie. I may just stuff the bag with straw and half a ripe banana to keep it frost free and help it ripen!

The things us gardeners get up to ,eh!

[Snadger]

I have heard it said, and I agree, that fruit does not ripen more when taken from the plant, it will colour up and soften but ripening only happens on the plant.

I think you may be right Raptor..........

[veggiechicken]

I like the bag idea veggie. I may just stuff the bag with straw and half a ripe banana to keep it frost free and help it ripen!

The things us gardeners get up to ,eh!

Whatever it takes, Snadge Just hope nobody's watching when you stuff your half banana in the bag

[RedThorn]

As it is orange already, I'd take a chance and ripen it indoors if it were me, and as you've self saved over the last few years, I'm assuming you have seed left over?

From the orange one, once left to ripen indoors, I'd look for the best seed the tom has to offer and use them

However you decide to go, best of luck

[Snadger]

As it is orange already, I'd take a chance and ripen it indoors if it were me, and as you've self saved over the last few years, I'm assuming you have seed left over?

From the orange one, once left to ripen indoors, I'd look for the best seed the tom has to offer and use them

However you decide to go, best of luck

I only ever save one of the best tomatoes for seed the following year. If I lose this big fella its back to buying seeds again!

Of course in retrospect I should have saved seed from a ripe tomato earlier in the season..............but they tasted so good I ate them all!

[Chippy Minton]

You'll have to deseed one early on, keep the seeds and eat the rest :P

[RedThorn]

It's a right begger that ain't it 'aving tom's that taste so nice.... Wish you even more luck now!

[maytreefrannie]

I hesitate to say this - but I've certainly saved seed from tomatoes ripened on the table. I say I hesitate as I'm not sure whether this is best practice. I only offer as something I did and the seeds germinated and I picked tomatoes from them.

Best of luck however you go with it.