saving seed from one small tomato?

heirloomdaddy · September 8, 2010

Is there any effective way of fermenting the seeds/juice of one small tomato? What would be the suggested method?

thanks

rxkeith · September 8, 2010

if you have other tomatoes that you are fermenting to save seed, put a strainer over the top of the container holding the small tomato contents to catch any seeds trying to escape , and add a little "juice". some people use TSP to process their seeds. never done it that way, but its been talked about here.

keith

remy · September 8, 2010

Add a little water. I've found they still ferment.
Remy

Stepheninky · September 9, 2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by remy

Add a little water. I've found they still ferment.
Remy

That is how I do it too, I usually don't use but one or two fruits to save seed at a time. Just add a little water and check it daily to make sure it does not dry out. It does not have to have a crust to ferment, in 3-5 days it will have a yeast smell and the top layer will be cloudy. Then just fill the rest of the way let settle, and pour off the water. You can do this 2-3 times and they will be clean. Use a sieve if you have one and then spread the clean seeds on a paper plate to dry. I personally do not use a sieve for small quantities and all the seed I have tested so far have sprouted.

Everybody has there own way of doing it. There is a huge thread about it in fact LOL, which reminds me I found a scientific paper testing different methods and times of, and temps of fermentation and how they effect seed quality, So will have to dig that thread up and post the link.

eyolf · September 8, 2010

I have had trouble with water: it slows the process down, perhaps because it dilutes the sugars and other compounds that fungi and bacteria are after. ANY fruit or vegetable juice works, so long as it isn't a commercial product with preservatives that ALSO slow the process down.

We all see spoiled tomatoes when we're harvesting; I pick up a few that birds, squirrels, etc. have ruined and juice them by mashing them though a sieve.

No stray seeds, just juice.

dustdevil · September 8, 2010

Cut the small tomato in half. Squeeze each half (like a lemon) over a clean jar, so the seeds and gel fall in...a blunt spoon can be used to scoop 'em out also. Put a couple inches of water over the seeds. Cover the jar opening with a piece of Saran wrap. Take a sharp knife and cut a slot about a half inch long in the middle of the plastic wrap. Swirl the jar every day in a circular motion to stir things up. Let ferment four to five days...it will smell like yeast. Pour jar contents into fine sieve and rinse in a circular motion with cold water until seeds are clean. Tap seeds out onto dinner plate and spread them out to dry.

September 8, 2010	#1
heirloomdaddy Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Los Angeles Z10 Posts: 291	saving seed from one small tomato? Is there any effective way of fermenting the seeds/juice of one small tomato? What would be the suggested method? thanks

September 8, 2010	#3
remy Buffalo-Niagara Tomato TasteFest™ Coordinator Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Z6 WNY Posts: 2,354	Add a little water. I've found they still ferment. Remy __________________ "I wake to sleep and take my waking slow" -Theodore Roethke Yes, we have a great party for WNY/Ontario tomato growers every year on Grand Island! Owner of The Sample Seed Shop

September 8, 2010	#5
eyolf Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Central MN, USDA Zone 3 Posts: 303	I have had trouble with water: it slows the process down, perhaps because it dilutes the sugars and other compounds that fungi and bacteria are after. ANY fruit or vegetable juice works, so long as it isn't a commercial product with preservatives that ALSO slow the process down. We all see spoiled tomatoes when we're harvesting; I pick up a few that birds, squirrels, etc. have ruined and juice them by mashing them though a sieve. No stray seeds, just juice. __________________ a day without fresh homegrown tomatoes is like... ...sigh

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September 8, 2010	#2
rxkeith Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Back in da U.P. Posts: 1,848	if you have other tomatoes that you are fermenting to save seed, put a strainer over the top of the container holding the small tomato contents to catch any seeds trying to escape , and add a little "juice". some people use TSP to process their seeds. never done it that way, but its been talked about here. keith

September 8, 2010	#6
dustdevil Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: WI, USA Zone4 Posts: 1,887	Cut the small tomato in half. Squeeze each half (like a lemon) over a clean jar, so the seeds and gel fall in...a blunt spoon can be used to scoop 'em out also. Put a couple inches of water over the seeds. Cover the jar opening with a piece of Saran wrap. Take a sharp knife and cut a slot about a half inch long in the middle of the plastic wrap. Swirl the jar every day in a circular motion to stir things up. Let ferment four to five days...it will smell like yeast. Pour jar contents into fine sieve and rinse in a circular motion with cold water until seeds are clean. Tap seeds out onto dinner plate and spread them out to dry.