Collecting Tomato Seeds

purplepixi

Someone asked about this in the growing plants in pots and bags thread, but I thought I'd best start another so people don't have to hunt for the info.

I've got a book from the library on collecting seeds, it says to:

Grow the tomatoes as you would for eating (or purchase from a shop )
Cut open and scoop out the seeds in the jelly
Put them in a bowl or cup
Double the volume of the seeds by covering with water
Leave 2 ferment for a few days
NB. you need to get the jelly off, as it inhibits the germination (so the seeds don't spout inside your tomatoes!!)
After a few days the water will have a stinky top layer, drain this.
Then add more water and mix, then drain (try not too loose your seeds!)
Keep doing this until the water is clear
Then drain and dry

And hay presto - full useable tomato seed!

Hope this is useful

Laura

Noozan

Gosh, that sounds so complicated! I've always just cut open ripe tomatoes, scooped out the seeds, quick rinse in a sieve and then laid out to dry on some kitchen roll. I then store them, on the folded up bit of kitchen roll until needed. I put compost in a seed tray, lay the kitchen roll on top and then cover with more compost. Easy peasy