Tomato Seed Saving a Few Pictures

I am in the process of learning how to save seeds. Another week or so of experimenting and using different techniques and I will write a formal picture blog. So far so good. Here is what it looks like.

Tomato Seed Fermentation:Gary Pilarchik

The purpose of fermenting your tomato seeds is to improve the germination rate. When tomatoes rot, they naturally ferment and dissolve a gel sac around the seeds that inhibit germination. You are doing what nature does but in a jar. After about 5-7 days of fermenting, the seeds settle to the bottom of the jar.

Tomato Seeds Settling: Gary Pilarchik

Below are different days of fermentation. The liquids separate. Seeds fall to the bottom and a gentle swirl helps mix things up. The goal is to allow fermentation, as mentioned, to work and remove the gel sac around the seeds. When seeds settle to the bottom that typically means they are good to go.

Moldy Fermented Tomato Seeds: Gary Pilachik

Different Points in Tomato Seed Fermenting: Gary Pilarchik

A Light Swirl to Mix the Tomato Fermentation: Gary Pilarchik

Rinsed seeds are set out for drying. Use a coffee filter. The seeds will not stick to that. Drying can take 7 days or more. They must be dry before you store them or they will mold.

Drying Tomato Seeds for Next Year: Gary Pilarchik

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