If you ’re like me , you love the mouthful of homegrown tomatoes and want to love them twelvemonth after year . dependable tidings — saving tomato seeds is easy than you might think . I ’m here to walk you through the process , reply some common questions , and share my personal tips to ensure your winner .
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Did your garden yield the toothsome , most flavorful love apple you ’ve ever tasted ? If so , why not salvage those seed to produce the same incredible tomatoes next year ?
In this guide , I ’ll apportion the footmark - by - step process of save up tomato seeds , ensuring you could enjoy delectable tomato time of year after time of year — without spending a dime bag !
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Common Questions About Saving Tomato Seeds
Before we dive into the footstep , let ’s tackle some questions you might have .
How Do I Save My Tomato Seeds for Next Year?
Saving Lycopersicon esculentum seeds take pick out advanced tomato plant , draw out and cleanse the seeds , and then dry out and put in them decent .
I ’ll break down each of these steps in item further below .
Can I Save Hybrid Tomato Seeds?
Technically , yes , and the plants will develop but the love apple will not be the same as the parent plant life . Some of my most preferent tomato varieties includeEarly Girl , Better Boy , andSungoldwhich are all hybrid change and they grow really great for me here inZone 9 California !
However , I do n’t save the seeds , I purchase seeds andstart my own seedling . But a really slap-up choice if you ’re growing hybrid tomato plant industrial plant and require to grow extra plant is to root your own cuttings . Learn how in my YouTube telecasting here : How to rootle Your Own Tomato Clippings .
Can You Save Tomato Seeds Without Fermenting?
Yes , you may !
While ferment helps remove the gel coating around the germ and can concentrate the hazard of disease , it ’s not strictly necessary .
If you ’re poor on clip , you could simply wash the seeds thoroughly to remove the gel before drying them .
Do You Wash Tomato Seeds Before Drying?
Absolutely . Washing the seeds removes any remain flesh and gelatin , which can affect germination .
A good rinsing under cool water ensures your seeds are clean and ready for dry .
Can I Plant Tomato Seeds Straight from a Tomato?
Technically , yes , but it ’s not ideal . The gelatin surrounding saucy seeds can suppress germination and may harbour diseases .
It ’s well to clean and dry the seed first for the beneficial chance of successful sprouting .
Steps for Saving Tomato Seeds
Now that we ’ve got those questions out of the way , let ’s get into the nitty - gritty of saving your tomato seeds .
Step 1: Choose the Right Tomatoes
Pick advanced , healthy tomatoes from your best - performing plant . I always select the ones that tasted the right or were the most resilient during the season .
It ’s also important to only carry through cum from heirloom potpourri since saving seeds from hybrid varieties will not result in the same variety as the parent plant .
Step 2: Extract the Seeds
Cut the tomato plant in half and scoop out the seed along with the surrounding gelatin into a white container .
verify to get all the seeds — you do n’t want to ravage any possible future plants !
Step 3: Ferment the Seeds (Optional)
ferment helps remove the gel and can kill off some source - borne diseases .
Step 4: Rinse the Seeds
After agitation ( or immediately if you skipped that whole tone ) , pour the contents into a fine - net strainer .
Rinse under cool run water , rubbing the seeds gently to transfer any stay gel .
Step 5: Dry the Seeds
Spread the clear seminal fluid in a exclusive layer on a paper towel , coffee tree filter , or screen door .
station them in a well - ventilated area out of direct sunlight . I usually let mine dry for about a workweek to make certain they ’re whole moisture - spare .
Step 6: Store the Seeds
Once dry , store your seeds in alabeled envelope , jar , or airtight container .
Keep your tomato seeds in a cool , teetotal and dark place . If stored by rights tomato semen should be executable for 5 years .
How to Test Tomato Seeds for Germination
Before planting time of year , it ’s a secure idea to examine a few seeds to see how well they ’ll germinate .
Calculate Viability
Plan Accordingly
infer the germination rate aid you plan in effect for your garden . It ensures that you plant enough germ to accomplish the turn of sizeable Lycopersicon esculentum plants you desire .
Wondering when to start your own love apple seedlings indoors ?
hold back out my best-loved software for project out planting date calledSeedtime ! It takes of all of the accent & guessing out of planning your garden !
Tips for Successful Tomato Seed Germination
Tomato seed typically germinate within 5 to 10 day under ideal conditions .
Here ’s how to produce those term :
Choosing Tomato Seeds to Plant
When deciding which seeds to plant , moot your local mood , blank space , and taste predilection .
Continue Your Tomato Growing Journey
preserve tomato plant seeds is a rewarding practice that hold open your garden thrive with your favored miscellanea .
Plus , it ’s a smashing way to deal with fellow gardeners !
For more tomato plant data , be indisputable to read the following article :
Feel free to reach out if you have any question or summit of your own .
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