HOW TO COLLECT AND PREPARE TOMATO SEEDS FOR PROPAGATION

How to collect and prepare tomato seeds for propagation

Tomatoes are arguably the most popular of all salad crops and surprisingly easy to grow from seed. So much so that if you are not particularly choosy about which cultivar to grow, or have really enjoyed a tomato fruit from which you still have some seed, then rather than purchasing packets of seeds, you can collect and prepare your own tomato seeds for propagation for little or no cost at all!

Collecting seed from your favourite varieties of tomato has never been easier due to its all year round availability from supermarkets and greengrocers. You don't even need to know their cultivar names, just save the seed from the ones that in your opinion taste the best.

When collecting seeds from tomatoes straight off the vine, allow them to fully ripen first to achieve for best seed viability. Always choose the best fruits from disease free plants otherwise any weakness or disease that the parents plants may have can be passed on to its seedlings. Slice the fruit in half and then either squeeze the seeds and juice into a sieve for washing under a tap or ferment the mixture for a few days in a jar. This not only removes the jelly-like coating which inhibits seed germination, but it also helps to kills off many of the diseases that can be carried on the seeds. To do this, put the jar of seeds and juice in a reasonably warm place for 3 days, stirring the mixture twice a day. The mixture should develop a coating of mould, and rather unfortunately - start to smell!

After 3 days add plenty of water to the jar and stir well. The healthy, viable seeds should sink to the bottom of the jar. Gently pour off the top layer of mould and any seeds that are floating amongst it. Empty the good seeds into a sieve and wash them thoroughly under running water. Shake off as much water as possible, and then tip them out onto a china or glass plate. Allow them to dry somewhere warm but out of direct sunlight. Once they are completely dry, rub them off the plate and place into a paper envelope. Date them and write a brief description of the contents and then store in a cool, dry place where they should remain viable for at least 3-4 years.

They are now ready to be sown when you are.

Image credit - Simon Eade  gardenofeaden@gmail.com

For related articles click onto the following links:
BLIGHT RESISTANT TOMATO VARIETIES
Gardeners World - Tomato Seeds
How to Grow Giant Tomatoes
HOW TO COLLECT, PREPARE AND SAVE OKRA SEED FOR GERMINATION
HOW TO GROW OUTDOOR TOMATO PLANTS FROM SEED
HOW TO GROW TOMATOES
HOW TO GROW TOMATOES IN POTS
HOW TO MAKE A TRADITIONAL ITALIAN TOMATO SAUCE