Seed Fermentation Methods

[Alberta]

I've been using Carolyns method of fermenting the seeds for what must be more than 10 years now (remember the AOL boards Carolyn?) LOL. It works for me, is simple and what ever works for me I continue to do,

Alberta

[carolyn137]

Originally Posted by Alberta

I've been using Carolyns method of fermenting the seeds for what must be more than 10 years now (remember the AOL boards Carolyn?) LOL. It works for me, is simple and what ever works for me I continue to do,

Alberta

Yes Alberta, I remember the AOL tomato forum very very well. When I first went there in 1989 it was kind of a wasteland and a few of us worked our respective tails off to make it more interesting.

Do you remember that the number of posts was limited and so I remember doing ONE post that would have responses for up to 10 folks. And I also remember writing all those info posts on BER, Wilt diseases, how to dehybridize, foliage diseases and many more. I still have them.

And there are several here at Tville who were there with us in the 90's and into early 2000's which was when I think I left permanently, or maybe it was a bit after that.

Remember the chat room we had that was hosted by a different person each week?

Great memories.

[Love2Troll]

Originally Posted by Alberta

I've been using Carolyns method of fermenting the seeds for what must be more than 10 years now (remember the AOL boards Carolyn?) LOL. It works for me, is simple and what ever works for me I continue to do,

Alberta

And I must say that a tried & true method like Carolyn's is best for most (maybe all) of us when it comes to our precious seeds. It's just in my nature to mess around and try different things.

I didn't pay close enough attention to my last batch of fermenting seeds and maybe 10% of them had tap roots at 72 hours. Should have rinsed them off in a sieve at 48 hours. And I should have known that my sourdough starter was getting stronger with the daily feedings at room temps. I usually use it in a refrigerated somewhat dormant state to get my sauerkraut etc ferments going.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjmM-4SVACU

Ended up with nice clean seeds though. Used a quart jar this time. Next year I'll rejuvenate my sourdough culture a full week before I use for fermenting seeds and will anticipate that two days will do the deed.

[Stepheninky]

Here is a link to a scientific study in relation to fermenting seeds and what temps and durations gave the most viable germination rates

http://scialert.net/fulltext/?doi=pj...814.820&org=11

[RinTinTin]

Nice find. Should be required reading for anybody (new or old) interested in seed saving.