[JayG]

I noticed that after 5 years of using the same packet the germination rate of my Red Alert tomatoes was rather low this year, so given that they are an open-pollinated variety (i.e. not F1) I decided to try and save some seed for next year as they have been a really consistent and productive stalwart (albeit probably not the tastiest tom on the planet.)

About a month ago I squeezed the seeds out of a ripe fruit, washed them in a sieve, then "fermented" them in a tumbler of water for 3 days to get rid of the jelly-like coating, washed again and dried.
That appeared to work and resulted in "clean" seeds but there weren't many of them so I tried the same thing a couple of days ago and within 24 hours in water every single one had germinated! 

Tried an alternative technique which allegedly results in seeds which don't keep as long - just rubbed them under running water in a sieve until the coating appeared to have been removed - these are now drying.
Just one usable tomato left if someone has another method to try! 

[DD.]

Slap 'em on a piece of kitchen towel and spread them thinly.

Let them dry thoroughly.

Store on the kitchen towel and when it comes to sowing time, rip them off individually and sow them towel and all.

[8doubles]

I do the sieve under running water thing being quite rough with the seed to get it clean then spread out on  newspaper in the sun to dry. Them scrape the seed off with a fingernail or knife.

Some people space the washed seed out on kitchen roll and plant the whole sheet but i have never tried it.

[DD.]

See previous post, but I don't even bother washing them out.

[TerryB]

Used the same method as DD and it worked fine.

[arugula]

I too can verify that DD.'s kitchen towel method works well.

[GrannieAnnie]

I've done both ways successfully.  With the seeds in jar for 3 days method.  Did you shake the jar every day?  That's what I do and never had anything germinate.

Strangely enough though, our friends popped in the other day and Harry said he'd done the jar method and forgot about them for a few days.  When he looked he said the seeds had started to germinate!

[JayG]

Didn't have the chance to shake the jar every day as they had germinated within 24 hours!
Strange how it didn't happen a month ago - maybe some sort of vernalisation process happened in the meantime? 

No-faff techniques always appeal to me as long as they work - I'll probably compromise by using the sieve-and-scrub method to avoid having to work out how to safely store a kitchen-rollful of tomato seeds!

[GrannieAnnie]

If I use the kitchen towle method Jon, I just spread the seeds over one piece of towel like DD does. then once the seeds and towel are well and truly dry, just fold it up and slip into a little envelope or something, label and put with the other seeds.

When needed, I just tear off a seed at a time!

[lizt]

hi

i also heard about a method that you plant a whole ripe tomato in a spot of ground and wait till it 'self seeds' when the seedlings appear prick out and transfer to pots or where you plan on growing them on... kinda makes sense as anyone who has accidently composted tomato knows they soon sprout up.

lizzy

[mumofstig]

Ive just put 2 sorts of heritage toms onto kitchen paper  I wrote on the paper which sort they were

[DD.]

hi

i also heard about a method that you plant a whole ripe tomato in a spot of ground and wait till it 'self seeds' when the seedlings appear prick out and transfer to pots or where you plan on growing them on... kinda makes sense as anyone who has accidently composted tomato knows they soon sprout up.

lizzy

But where would you find a ripe tomato of the sort we want to grow in February?

[JayG]

Thanks all - I'll probably complete the experiment by squirting my last tomato at a piece of kitchen roll (what's the betting it goes all over the floor?!  )

Lizt - yes I've had unidentified cucurbit and tomato plants popping up all over the garden which wouldn't even have contemplated doing so if I'd sown them deliberately! 

[lizt]

hi DD

sorry, i wasn't very clear, you plant them now and they will start to grow next year when the weather starts to get warmer. 

[8doubles]

Glad you put this post on Jay as i had one `Coeur de Boeuf' tom left on the window sill and i remembered to de-seed it before it joined the ribeye steak and onions on the griddle plate !

Very tasty and hoping for many more next tom season !