garden:about:plants:tomatoes:seeds
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garden:about:plants:tomatoes:seeds [2014/10/12 14:28] – davidbac | garden:about:plants:tomatoes:seeds [2015/01/17 11:27] (current) – davidbac | ||
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+ | ===== Savings seeds ===== | ||
+ | I seldom save seeds from our vegetables. Exceptions are: | ||
+ | * [[garden: | ||
+ | * [[garden: | ||
+ | * Leeks (once, anyway) | ||
+ | * One variety of tomato | ||
+ | |||
+ | Of course, the seeds I do collect are from open-pollinated varieties. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==== Selection ==== | ||
+ | |||
+ | I save seeds for only one variety of tomato. It is not commercially available, as far as I know. The main reason is that this variety, [[garden: | ||
+ | |||
+ | I am selecting first for blight resistance, so I collect seeds from tomatoes on plants that have not been affected by blight and whose fruit has not been tainted. Other characteristics seem common to all the fruit, except I avoid collecting from the smallest tomatoes. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Except in the hoop house I have isolated TPS Golden from other varieties to avoid possible cross-pollination. In the future I will scrupulously isolate the Goldens. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==== Standard method ==== | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{ : | ||
+ | * helps sort out bad seeds (good seeds sink, bad ones float to the top) | ||
+ | * reduces some seed-borne illnesses | ||
+ | * eliminates a germination inhibitor | ||
+ | |||
+ | Here's the procedure: | ||
+ | |||
+ | * Cut the tomato into several pieces | ||
+ | * Scoop out the seeds and gel into a small container | ||
+ | * Add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of water and set the container aside, out of the sun, for 3 to 5 days. | ||
+ | * A moldy film forms on top. That’s okay. | ||
+ | |||
+ | To separate the seeds: | ||
+ | |||
+ | * First carefully remove the film. | ||
+ | * Add more water and stir (good seeds have sunk) | ||
+ | * Carefully pour off the water and the floating bits of pulp (repeat until all the pulp is gone and you have clean seeds) | ||
+ | * Drain them as well as possible (using a paper towel helps) | ||
+ | * Spread them in a single layer on a screen or a paper plate to dry. (The medium needs to wicked away the moisture. Seeds tend to stick to a paper towel but don’t use a plastic or ceramic plate.) | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{: | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==== Reasons not to ==== | ||
+ | |||
+ | I don't generally save seeds because: | ||
+ | * Most must stay planted long after I am preparing my garden for the next season | ||
+ | * Many are easily affected by cross-pollination with other varieties | ||
+ | * Some dry out only very slowly in the cloudy, humid conditions of fall and winter | ||
+ | * In most cases it is more trouble than it is worth | ||
+ | * Often plants gone to seeds are unsightly | ||
+ | * A variety of professionally grown, open pollinated seeds are available and relatively inexpensive | ||
+ | |||
+ | Some of the above are reasons why I don't take locally saved seeds at a seed exchange. (I still remember the " |
garden/about/plants/tomatoes/seeds.txt · Last modified: 2015/01/17 11:27 by davidbac