Fermenting and Drying Seeds

TheClaw · July 17, 2009

Some of my seeds have dried out considerably during the fermentation step. I have added water to make it easier to remove the layer of mold, and then rinsed as usual.

Should I have added water to the seeds and juice earlier for small quantities?

Also, some of the dried seeds are considerably darker. Should I try germinating some now as a test?

I can post pictures sometime this weekend if that would help.

**Lee** · July 17, 2009

Quote:

Should I have added water to the seeds and juice earlier for small quantities?

I usually do.

Quote:

Also, some of the dried seeds are considerably darker. Should I try germinating some now as a test?

I suspect germination might be reduced, (possibly just slower) but it wouldn't
hurt to test some out as part of the learning experience.

Just my .02.....

Lee

**nctomatoman** · July 17, 2009

What I do is if the level is very low, I do add water - which doesn't bother things. I use styrofoam cups - they don't leak liquid at all, and are reusable. I've also had seeds discolor that are fine in terms of germination...and seeds that don't discolor that are not fine! An imprecise art, because of the many variables - ripeness of the fruit, temp during fermentation, amount of liquid, how long you let them go, etc.

mikeinsc · August 2, 2009

If this is wrong, please let me know.

What I've been doing is to clean the seeds as much as possible prior to starting the process. I wash them under running water in a fine mesh strainer while giving them a good swirling scrub with the tips of my fingers. Basically, pressing them gently against the mesh to loosen anything up. Then everyone goes into a mason jar with about 2" of water.
I give them a good shake whenever I see them. When the gel sacks begin to seperate I wash them all again and change the water until I see just bare seeds.
For me, this is only taking about 24 - 36 hours before I can dry seeds. If left longer, I've been getting little tadpole tails sprouting out the bottom. Which, by the way, I've planted a few and they are growing in the greenhouse now.

I then take all the seeds, do a final wash and spread them thin on a piece of screen. Forget about them for about a day, stir them up to reduce the seeds sticking together and then leave them for about a week or so in a cool, dry place. I then seperate any seeds sticking together by plucking them apart with a pair of tweezers and a something good to watch on tv. Like an episode of NCIS or Deadliest Catch.

Tomatovator · August 3, 2009

I just squeeze the seeds, gell, juice, pulp and whatever else squeezes out into a container. I then let it ferment. I don't rinse or mess with the seeds at all till after the mix has fermented. Works for me. If you found a way that works for you then why change it? Sounds like you are getting good results.

July 17, 2009	#1
TheClaw Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Garner, NC Posts: 183	Fermenting and Drying Seeds Some of my seeds have dried out considerably during the fermentation step. I have added water to make it easier to remove the layer of mold, and then rinsed as usual. Should I have added water to the seeds and juice earlier for small quantities? Also, some of the dried seeds are considerably darker. Should I try germinating some now as a test? I can post pictures sometime this weekend if that would help.

July 17, 2009	#3
nctomatoman Tomatoville® Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Hendersonville, NC zone 7 Posts: 10,385	What I do is if the level is very low, I do add water - which doesn't bother things. I use styrofoam cups - they don't leak liquid at all, and are reusable. I've also had seeds discolor that are fine in terms of germination...and seeds that don't discolor that are not fine! An imprecise art, because of the many variables - ripeness of the fruit, temp during fermentation, amount of liquid, how long you let them go, etc. __________________ Craig

August 2, 2009	#4
mikeinsc Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: St. George, SC Posts: 34	If this is wrong, please let me know. What I've been doing is to clean the seeds as much as possible prior to starting the process. I wash them under running water in a fine mesh strainer while giving them a good swirling scrub with the tips of my fingers. Basically, pressing them gently against the mesh to loosen anything up. Then everyone goes into a mason jar with about 2" of water. I give them a good shake whenever I see them. When the gel sacks begin to seperate I wash them all again and change the water until I see just bare seeds. For me, this is only taking about 24 - 36 hours before I can dry seeds. If left longer, I've been getting little tadpole tails sprouting out the bottom. Which, by the way, I've planted a few and they are growing in the greenhouse now. I then take all the seeds, do a final wash and spread them thin on a piece of screen. Forget about them for about a day, stir them up to reduce the seeds sticking together and then leave them for about a week or so in a cool, dry place. I then seperate any seeds sticking together by plucking them apart with a pair of tweezers and a something good to watch on tv. Like an episode of NCIS or Deadliest Catch.

August 3, 2009	#5
Tomatovator Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Pennsylvania Zone 6 Posts: 461	I just squeeze the seeds, gell, juice, pulp and whatever else squeezes out into a container. I then let it ferment. I don't rinse or mess with the seeds at all till after the mix has fermented. Works for me. If you found a way that works for you then why change it? Sounds like you are getting good results.