Seed Saving Procedure

Ed of Somis · January 31, 2015

In my first year of sowing...I have about 95% success. The one exception: seed from my Cherokee Purple plant last year that was a problem...only germinated 1 out of 8. Since it was seeds I saved...I am thinking the duds were my fault. I am a rookie, but here is what I did: 1. washed seeds with cold water and got off gel 2. dried on paper towel for several days in the house. 3. stored seeds in the house in a sealed envelope. So, what did I miss???

luigiwu · January 31, 2015

I think most pple ferment to get rid of the gel? And then soak in either diluted bleach or oxyclean or peroxide to kill any further disease. Tania's tomatobase has a great page on how to save seeds.

http://tatianastomatobase.com/wiki/A...g_Fermentation

Ed of Somis · January 31, 2015

Since I never fermented or bleached my seeds...I wonder if it is OK to even use the sprouted seed I did get??? Would that be a problem?

kath · January 31, 2015

Fermentation method used by most. Some use the "oxyclean method". Others pick gel off with toothpicks. I'm sure there are other ways folks take care of the gel covering on the seeds. Bleach solution rinse will help with disease if fermentation method isn't used.

Storage of seeds can affect germination rates- humidity and heat are enemies.

kath · January 31, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ed of Somis

Since I never fermented or bleached my seeds...I wonder if it is OK to even use the sprouted seed I did get??? Would that be a problem?

If your seeds make it to healthy plant stage, they should be ok, I think. I don't ferment or use bleach and have never had a problem. It might depend on what types of disease affected the plants in your garden.

January 31, 2015	#1
Ed of Somis Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Somis, Ca Posts: 649	Seed Saving Procedure In my first year of sowing...I have about 95% success. The one exception: seed from my Cherokee Purple plant last year that was a problem...only germinated 1 out of 8. Since it was seeds I saved...I am thinking the duds were my fault. I am a rookie, but here is what I did: 1. washed seeds with cold water and got off gel 2. dried on paper towel for several days in the house. 3. stored seeds in the house in a sealed envelope. So, what did I miss???

January 31, 2015	#2
luigiwu Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: ny Posts: 1,219	I think most pple ferment to get rid of the gel? And then soak in either diluted bleach or oxyclean or peroxide to kill any further disease. Tania's tomatobase has a great page on how to save seeds. http://tatianastomatobase.com/wiki/A...g_Fermentation __________________ Subirrigated Container gardening (RGGS) in NY, Zone 7! Last edited by luigiwu; January 31, 2015 at 09:42 PM.

January 31, 2015	#4
kath Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: zone 6b, PA Posts: 5,664	Fermentation method used by most. Some use the "oxyclean method". Others pick gel off with toothpicks. I'm sure there are other ways folks take care of the gel covering on the seeds. Bleach solution rinse will help with disease if fermentation method isn't used. Storage of seeds can affect germination rates- humidity and heat are enemies.