Five EASY Steps to Ferment Tomato Seed – IF YOU MUST
- Choose a healthy tomato from a healthy plant. Cut the tomato in half and scoop out the seeds with a spoon or squeeze the tomato inside a container, gunk and all.
- Put your collected seeds in a container (glass or ceramic works great but plastic will do), along with the pulp, and add enough water to cover the seed. Cover the container with a coffee filter, cheesecloth, nylon hose, tissue or sock — something that will allow airflow. Put the container in a warm spot, e.g., on top of the refrigerator, a windowsill or in the car’s cup holder. Let sit and mold for 2-3 days — stir daily. Don’t let it ferment too long or you will decrease germination.
- Remove the scummy top layer of the container. You can pour it down the drain. Carefully pour the top layer of floating debris and seeds down the drain. Add water to the container and swish around. Stir if you wish. Let the seeds settle and pour any floating debris down the drain. Do this a few times and you will have clean-looking tomato seed that is perfect for gift giving and trading! Optional: Pour the rest of the seed into a fine mesh strainer, rinse and massage to remove any remaining pulp. Tap to remove excess water.
- Dry on a piece of wax paper, parchment paper, freezer paper or coated paper plate. Place the seeds on the paper in a single layer. Label the paper. Put in a spot away from direct sunlight where they can dry, e.g., top of refrigerator, corner of a counter that does not get used very often. Wait a week or more for them to dry. Mix around during this time to promote uniform drying. If they stick to each other easily, dry more.
- Store them in paper envelopes because if there’s any water left in a seed and you put them in plastic, the water will spread to all the seeds and rot your collection. You can always transfer to plastic or glass containers later. Label envelopes with the variety and current year.
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