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**Lee** · February 9, 2024

Seed saving method:
Extract seed/juice from tomato into a small cup.
Let ferment for 3-4 days
Empty contents in sieve and rinse off with water.
Empty out onto plastic plate to dry for 3-4 days.
Label and store in glass vial or coin envelope.

Seed storage: Seeds were either stored in glass vials or coin envelopes in a room temp closet. Nothing special here.

Growouts: Experiment was conducted last October/November, so no growouts. The older 2012 seed did show weaker looking seedlings than the others, but I believe they would have still grown to successful maturity.
The 2010/2011 seed had excessive "helmet head" germination. However a few did continue to mature once the seed coat was carefully removed.

A followup experiment would be to see what methods would be most effective in "waking up" the older seed that did not germinate with the simple method used here.

I should also note that the 2 trays received different treatment. One tray was kept on a heat mat, the other was not. This did not have any measurable impact on germination %.

Lee

February 9, 2024	#6
Lee Tomatopalooza™ Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: NC-Zone 7 Posts: 2,188	Seed saving method: Extract seed/juice from tomato into a small cup. Let ferment for 3-4 days Empty contents in sieve and rinse off with water. Empty out onto plastic plate to dry for 3-4 days. Label and store in glass vial or coin envelope. Seed storage: Seeds were either stored in glass vials or coin envelopes in a room temp closet. Nothing special here. Growouts: Experiment was conducted last October/November, so no growouts. The older 2012 seed did show weaker looking seedlings than the others, but I believe they would have still grown to successful maturity. The 2010/2011 seed had excessive "helmet head" germination. However a few did continue to mature once the seed coat was carefully removed. A followup experiment would be to see what methods would be most effective in "waking up" the older seed that did not germinate with the simple method used here. I should also note that the 2 trays received different treatment. One tray was kept on a heat mat, the other was not. This did not have any measurable impact on germination %. Lee __________________ Intelligence is knowing a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is knowing not to put one in a fruit salad. Cuostralee - The best thing on sliced bread.