It takes a little more work and learning to ensure that you are saving rare heirloom varieties properly (you basically need to make sure that the tomatoes you are growing do not cross pollinate with another tomato variety).
Tomatoes are self-pollinators, that is, they do not easily cross-pollinate. That said, older heirloom tomatoes, which have potato looking leaves, can cross. Different tomato varieties should be separated from other tomatoes by a minimum of 5 meters (the larger the distance the better) and if growing a potato leaf variety at least 50 meters is needed. You can also isolate the tomato flowers by using a very finely woven row cover, as this will prevent pollen transfer.
To save good tomato seeds you should try to save seeds from at least 6 plants (the more the better) to persevere the genetic integrity of the seeds.
To Save the Tomato seeds:
1. Make sure your tomatoes are fully ripe – let them ripen on the tomato plant if possible.
2. Only save seeds from healthy/disease free plants and tomatoes.
3. Save at least one tomato (the more the better) from each of your tomato plants as this will help to ensure a wider gene pool.
4. Cut the tomato at the equator and scoop/squish the seeds and juice into at tall container (a thin container will help to contain more moisture then a wide container). Add water if there is very little pulp/moisture.
5. Let the pulpy seed mixture sit for approximately 3 days in a warm (but not hot) area. On top of the fridge can work well.
6. The pulpy mixture will start to ferment in 2-5 days, and a layer of mold will develop on the surface of the mixture. Be very careful to not let your seeds sit for more then 5 days as they may start to sprout in the container. You can tell that your seeds are ready once the moldy layer is present (it is stinky).
7. Poor cool water into your container and mix. Good seeds will sink and bad seeds will float. Dump the water and the floating seeds away. Repeat until the water is clear of all materials except the sunken seeds.
8. Place seeds evenly on a smooth surface to dry (do not use paper towel as this will stick to the seeds). Tea towels, glass plates, and thinly woven baskets (not too thin as the seeds will get stuck) or metal mesh work well. Do not dry seeds in the sun, as this can cause damage. The seeds will be hard once they are properly dried.
9. Place seeds in an envelope and then into a glass container (to keep moisture out) in a cool dark place for future planting, sharing or swapping. Tomato seeds can last between 4-10 years depending on the drying and storing conditions.
Tomato Tips
Always grow open-pollinated (non hybrid varieties)
Always label your seeds (variety, source, what year you grew them)
Tomatoes are self-pollinators, that is, they do not easily cross-pollinate. That said, older heirloom tomatoes, which have potato looking leaves, can cross. Different tomato varieties should be separated from other tomatoes by a minimum of 5 meters (the larger the distance the better) and if growing a potato leaf variety at least 50 meters is needed. You can also isolate the tomato flowers by using a very finely woven row cover, as this will prevent pollen transfer.
To save good tomato seeds you should try to save seeds from at least 6 plants (the more the better) to persevere the genetic integrity of the seeds.
To Save the Tomato seeds:
1. Make sure your tomatoes are fully ripe – let them ripen on the tomato plant if possible.
2. Only save seeds from healthy/disease free plants and tomatoes.
3. Save at least one tomato (the more the better) from each of your tomato plants as this will help to ensure a wider gene pool.
4. Cut the tomato at the equator and scoop/squish the seeds and juice into at tall container (a thin container will help to contain more moisture then a wide container). Add water if there is very little pulp/moisture.
5. Let the pulpy seed mixture sit for approximately 3 days in a warm (but not hot) area. On top of the fridge can work well.
6. The pulpy mixture will start to ferment in 2-5 days, and a layer of mold will develop on the surface of the mixture. Be very careful to not let your seeds sit for more then 5 days as they may start to sprout in the container. You can tell that your seeds are ready once the moldy layer is present (it is stinky).
7. Poor cool water into your container and mix. Good seeds will sink and bad seeds will float. Dump the water and the floating seeds away. Repeat until the water is clear of all materials except the sunken seeds.
8. Place seeds evenly on a smooth surface to dry (do not use paper towel as this will stick to the seeds). Tea towels, glass plates, and thinly woven baskets (not too thin as the seeds will get stuck) or metal mesh work well. Do not dry seeds in the sun, as this can cause damage. The seeds will be hard once they are properly dried.
9. Place seeds in an envelope and then into a glass container (to keep moisture out) in a cool dark place for future planting, sharing or swapping. Tomato seeds can last between 4-10 years depending on the drying and storing conditions.
Tomato Tips
Always grow open-pollinated (non hybrid varieties)
Always label your seeds (variety, source, what year you grew them)