CrealCritter
Sustainability Master
- Joined
- Jul 16, 2017
- Messages
- 10,802
- Reaction score
- 20,481
- Points
- 377
- Location
- Zone 6B or 7 can't decide
I am saving tomato seeds this year. I read that they had to be fermented first to get the snot off them, so they would germinate better. So I put them in a cup with water for several days until they got a scum on top. Then I fished the seeds out and placed on a paper towel to dry. We'll see how it goes.
I save bean seeds-that's easy. I bought Thai #3 long green bean seeds on year from Baker Creek and have saved and planted them every year since. I also sent seeds to other people. I'm also saving cantaloupe seeds this year. I've saved zinnia seeds before, but I only had a couple of colors. I need to buy more seeds next year.
Right now I have corn spread out on a table on the porch to dry. I'll make cornmeal and save the best for seeds. It's Hastings Prolific white dent corn, the stalks get from 10' to 18' tall. Most of mine were 12' tall. They bear up to 3 ears per stalk. I didn't take the best of care of mine, but I got a good showing, despite my neglect. The best ears are 14" long. The shucks were wrapped tight and I had minimal worm damage. Next year I'll be able to plant more!
I saved zucchini seeds, but they probably crossed with the yellow squash.
I have a weakness for seeds. I always order too many......
I've been saving seeds for many years. If you have a old piece of window screen that's the best way to dry tomato seeds. Then place them in a container with one of those little silica gel packets that sucks up moisture. Store in a dark place if your storing in glass jars. But your right they do need to be fermented. Use filtered spring water wall Mart sells a gallon jug for .88. my tap water like most everyone else's has clorine so it don't work so well for this kind of stuff...