sowing fresh seeds

heirloomdaddy · January 11, 2011

Am I correct in thinking that tomato seeds don't need to be dried before sowing? I would like to treat seeds with the oxiclean method and after a thorough rinse and soak, sow the seeds. This would skip the drying process, which I'm assuming is unnecessary if I'm to use them right away ...?

thanks

matt

Stepheninky · January 11, 2011

You are correct tomato seeds do not have to dry to be planted

feldon30 · January 12, 2011

I think once you've stripped off the germination inhibiting gel, seeds can be started immediately.

In-depth Seed Starting Guide

**carolyn137** · January 12, 2011

A couple of times I was forced to sow seeds straight from the fruits without any processing at all and germination was close to 100%.

The germination inhibitor in the gel surrounding the seeds is part of the natural life cycle of a tomato such that when fruits fall to the gound in the Fall or whenever, the inhibitor keeps the seeds from germinating until conditions are OK for seed germination in the Spring.

Then we call them volunteers.

Most recently I did it with fruits that were sent to me when the person returned from the Galapagos Islands and sent fruits to me and those seeds gave rise to a variety she called Sara's Galapagos. I think that was back in perhaps 2004 or so.

tam91 · January 12, 2011

Feldon, wow, that's a great guide - just what I was looking for.

January 11, 2011	#1
heirloomdaddy Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Los Angeles Z10 Posts: 291	sowing fresh seeds Am I correct in thinking that tomato seeds don't need to be dried before sowing? I would like to treat seeds with the oxiclean method and after a thorough rinse and soak, sow the seeds. This would skip the drying process, which I'm assuming is unnecessary if I'm to use them right away ...? thanks matt

January 12, 2011	#3
feldon30 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2006 Location: Rock Hill, SC Posts: 5,346	I think once you've stripped off the germination inhibiting gel, seeds can be started immediately. In-depth Seed Starting Guide __________________ [SIZE="3"]I've relaunched my gardening website -- [B]TheUnconventionalTomato.com[/B][/SIZE] * [I][SIZE="1"]*I'm not allowed to post weblinks so you'll have to copy-paste it manually.[/SIZE][/I]

January 12, 2011	#4
carolyn137 Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Upstate NY, zone 4b/5a Posts: 21,169	A couple of times I was forced to sow seeds straight from the fruits without any processing at all and germination was close to 100%. The germination inhibitor in the gel surrounding the seeds is part of the natural life cycle of a tomato such that when fruits fall to the gound in the Fall or whenever, the inhibitor keeps the seeds from germinating until conditions are OK for seed germination in the Spring. Then we call them volunteers. Most recently I did it with fruits that were sent to me when the person returned from the Galapagos Islands and sent fruits to me and those seeds gave rise to a variety she called Sara's Galapagos. I think that was back in perhaps 2004 or so. __________________ Carolyn

January 11, 2011	#2
Stepheninky Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Kentucky Posts: 682	You are correct tomato seeds do not have to dry to be planted

January 12, 2011	#5
tam91 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Crystal Lake IL Posts: 2,484	Feldon, wow, that's a great guide - just what I was looking for.