longevity of seeds and tomato seeds collection

dovev · May 2, 2006

hello

as a (willing to be.... ) new member of the tomato collectors community i have some things i will be very interested to know

I growing tomatoes more then 15 years (sinc i was a child) and have an experience of growing tomatoes in large scales i was the manager of a 1200 sqr yard educetional half commercial organic tomato, eggplants and cucumbers greenhouse

allways have grown hybrid tomatos or plants that origind frome local hybrid tomato seeds so i could get seeds any time and didn't had the need to save them
now when i'm willing to build a hayirlom tomato collection
i need to know what is the best way to save them for long time?
i was told tomato seeds can survive for 10 years, so is
it possible to saw some of the tomato seeds only every
2-3 years and still get good germination?

moucheur · May 2, 2006

Yes, 2-3 years should be no problem, especially if you keep them cool and dry, and if you soak them for a day or two before sowing. I keep mine in an airtight jar in my basement with some powdered milk (which acts as a dessicant) in the bottom of the jar. Last year I grew some seeds I had left over from 1999.

dovev · May 3, 2006

thats very good will take it on acount when sawwing

May 2, 2006	#1
dovev Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Israel Posts: 7	longevity of seeds and tomato seeds collection hello as a (willing to be.... ) new member of the tomato collectors community i have some things i will be very interested to know I growing tomatoes more then 15 years (sinc i was a child) and have an experience of growing tomatoes in large scales i was the manager of a 1200 sqr yard educetional half commercial organic tomato, eggplants and cucumbers greenhouse allways have grown hybrid tomatos or plants that origind frome local hybrid tomato seeds so i could get seeds any time and didn't had the need to save them now when i'm willing to build a hayirlom tomato collection i need to know what is the best way to save them for long time? i was told tomato seeds can survive for 10 years, so is it possible to saw some of the tomato seeds only every 2-3 years and still get good germination?

May 3, 2006	#3
dovev Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Israel Posts: 7	thanks thats very good will take it on acount when sawwing

May 2, 2006	#2
moucheur Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Boston, Mass. Posts: 50	Yes, 2-3 years should be no problem, especially if you keep them cool and dry, and if you soak them for a day or two before sowing. I keep mine in an airtight jar in my basement with some powdered milk (which acts as a dessicant) in the bottom of the jar. Last year I grew some seeds I had left over from 1999.