Thread: Tomato seeds
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Old 05-04-2009, 02:06 AM posted to rec.gardens
[email protected] bungadora@aol.com is offline
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First recorded activity by GardenBanter: Mar 2008
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Default Tomato seeds

On Apr 4, 6:28*pm, "Not@home" wrote:
This was my week to start my tomatoes, indoors.

One variety I started was brandywine, which I'm pretty certain is not a
hybrid. *Since the packet contained very few seeds, I started thinking
that perhaps I could harvest some seeds this year, and save money and
have more plants next year. *I know tomato seeds seem to pass through
the digestive tract and survive, *but I'd rather find a more pleasant
way to get the seeds.

So what are the steps to harvest tomato seeds, assuming I'm willing to
sacrifice one or two of these fruits.


Brandywine is a heritage type.

My local tomato guru uses the following method. When selecting blooms
for propation, put a gauze bag over top of the flowers so they do not
cross pollinate with other varieties. They can be pollinated by
lightly shaking the flower. When the tomato is ripe (post-gauze bag),
squeeze the seeds out into a bowl, add some water and allow the bowl
to sit in a warm place so fermentation occurs. When a skin has
developed over the top of the seeds, remove it and you will be able to
drain the seeds out on a coffee filter, where they should sit until
dry and you can bag them. Note, tomato seeds can remain viable for 10
years if stored properly in cool, dark conditions.

Personally I prefer buying my tomato seeds.
Dora