Had some excellect cherry tomatoes this year and wish to propagate for future.
2006-09-10 04:49:59 · 11 answers · asked by ? 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Garden & Landscape
I save seed from year to year on some heirloom tomatos my family has grown for 40 years. Best way I found was to scrape the seeds out into a jar half full of water. leave there, changing water for 3 days. This washes all that gel stuff away. It does contain a chemical which can slow or inhibit germination.
After the third day, drain seeds onto a paper towel, and allow to dry. Once dry, I label with a permanent marker with type & year.
some of the bred varieties do not come true from seed, but all heirloom varieties will.
2006-09-10 06:39:53 · answer #1 · answered by joules 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Joules' suggestion was the best. They need to soak so you can wash away the pulp. 3 days to a week is enough. Strain away the pulp. Dry the seeds on waxed paper (they stick to paper towels like mad). Store them in airtight jar or tightly sealed plastic bag. No need to freeze. If done right, germination remains high for years.
One caution: be sure your plants are not HYBRIDS. Many tomato plants are. You'll be disappointed because the seeds will not "come true" next year. So-called heirloom tomatoes have not been hybridized and those seeds can be saved with excellent results.
2006-09-11 03:53:43 · answer #2 · answered by keepsondancing 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Put some of your cherry tomatoes in a blender to separate the seeds from the pulp.
Place the seeds on a paper towel and dry them several days. Then place the seeds in a plastic bag and put them in the freezer. They will last several years by doing that.
2006-09-10 04:58:41 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
The seed must come from a very mature fruit for it to germinate next season. Drying them on a paper towel is good, as you must be certain that there is no moisture, which will cause mold. Before you store the seed, make sure they are completely dry.
2006-09-12 06:02:05 · answer #4 · answered by Loyless H 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
After a BBQ last year someone threw a tomato in one of my plant pots, which I just left there. This year I had a new tomato plant. Lucky maybe. I am trying steak this year!
2006-09-12 21:27:49 · answer #5 · answered by linloue 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some commercially grown plants have an 'extinction' gene built in which means you cannot propagate from them. it's a ploy to get you to buy more seeds from them next year! Make sure you're not wasting your time trying to harvest the seeds only for none of them to grow. (It's what they do to the poor farmers in Africa - give them seeds to grow their crops but only for one harvest. They then have to buy their seeds the next year, instead of being self-sufficient.)
2006-09-10 05:08:48 · answer #6 · answered by Roxy 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
remove the seeds from the tomato and allow to dry on a moisture absorbent clothe or towel. make sure they are completely dry before storing them otherwise they will mold and be no good.
2006-09-10 05:04:51 · answer #7 · answered by KimLee B 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Dry them out with between a couple of sheets of kitchen towel,
Put them in a dark place `till next spring.
2006-09-12 10:58:12 · answer #8 · answered by Spanner 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Save your seeds! I was told by a garden proffesional not to put them on a towel...but wax paper. They don't stick at all!
2006-09-13 02:02:49 · answer #9 · answered by Goobean 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dry them on paper towel and pop in an airtight container.
2006-09-10 04:54:08 · answer #10 · answered by Lorraine R 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋