Seed Fermenting Help Needed

[Starlight]

I was fermenting a new batch of seeds. I only do so many varieties at a time so I don't get them mixed up.

Yesterday I was checking them out to see if the fungal mats had formed and they had and were white. It's time and so I was going to drain and clean the seeds. Two of the cultivars Black Cherry and Black Plum, the white fungal mat is now all black.

Never having grown black tomatoes or saving seed from them before I don't know if this normal for those varieties or if it something bad and I need to pitch them.

Can anybody help me, please?

[Lee]

Should be fine.
I get white, black, grey, and sometimes none.... Key point is to not
let them go too long... 3~4 days is my max to ensure good seed quality.
YMMV

Lee

[RayR]

Fungus is like tomatoes and people, they come in different colors. Sometimes you might get green or a reddish color.

[Starlight]

Thanks so much Lee. I have never seen the black before. It is so ugly and nasty looking. Yuck. Glad I decided to ask before I pitched the containers out the door. Haven't even taken the plastic off top of container for fear it might be something bad and didn't want icky spores getting on good seed drying.

Thanks again! Appreciate the help. : ) Now to get them cleaned and drying.

[Starlight]

Originally Posted by RayR

Fungus is like tomatoes and people, they come in different colors. Sometimes you might get green or a reddish color.

Thanks for jumping in Ray too. Guess you had posted while I was typing.

Thanks for letting me know about the other colors too. At least I won't freak out now if I see an assortment of colors.

[AlittleSalt]

Star, I let two seed varieties get too dry. They were a couple I started fermenting that I should have added some water to - and then I forgot them for a day. Both mats were very dark and one had turned into paste. I went ahead and rinsed them and they are on paper plates drying now. One is Black Krim, and the drying seeds look black. I think I am going to toss them and get some new seeds. BK was one of our favorites this year.

[pauldavid]

Never seen anything but the typical white fungal mat. I learn something new every day on TV!

[Father'sDaughter]

Where as I've never seen a white mat. I usually get blue-ish gray.

I wonder if it's like sourdough bread where the starter takes on different characteristics in different places based on the natural bacteria present in the location where it's fermented.