How to Distinguish Between Viable and Non-Viable Tomato Seeds for Successful Planting.
Tomato seed size can vary greatly and the smallest ones may not even germinate. Fermenting is a great way to separate viable from non-viable seeds as only the larger, viable, seeds will sink during rinsing. To ensure success, select medium-sized seeds for planting. If you have a lot of seeds to spare in one variety batch, test germination on paper towels to get an idea of what percentage of smalls might germinate in the future.
Tomato seeds come in all shapes and sizes, with some varieties having very tiny seeds while others may be larger. This can make it difficult to determine which are viable and which are not when saving them for later use. Fortunately, there are methods available to help distinguish between viable and non-viable tomato seeds.
Fermentation is a popular method used to separate viable from non-viable tomato seeds. During this process, the viable seeds will sink during rinsing while the non-viable ones will float off. It's important to note that fermentation should only be done if you plan to plant all of the seeds since soaking at this point will cause all viable seeds to germinate.
When selecting tomato seeds for planting, medium-sized ones are usually best as the very small ones can have problems even if they do germinate. Additionally, large seeds tend to shoot up quickly after germination so they may collapse in windy conditions if grown outdoors.
If you have extra tomato seeds of one variety, consider doing a test germination on paper towels to get an idea of what percentage of smalls might germinate in the future. This can help give you an indication of how successful your efforts may be before actually planting the seeds.
Overall, understanding the differences between viable and non-viable tomato seeds can help ensure success when growing tomatoes from saved seed. Fermentation is a great way to separate out the viable from the non-viable and selecting medium-sized tomato seeds for planting is usually recommended for optimal results. Testing germination on paper towels can also provide insight into potential success rates before committing to planting all of your saved seed.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/overhead-sliced-tomatoes-with-seeds-horizontal-acf8e6ccd55a4c5aa2bc17ff19553a79.jpg)
Will the small tomato seeds produce just as well as the normal size ones?
The very small ones can have problems, even if they germinate. It's best to select the medium-sized ones to start and only soak them if you plan to plant them all.
Did I leave the seeds soak long enough?
Only soak them if you plan to plant them all. Soaking at this point will cause all viable seeds to germinate. Best to just plant what you plan to grow, and thin out any extras if you accidentally get some little ones in there and they happen to sprout.
Is there a way to test the viability of the small seeds?
If you have a lot of seeds to spare in one variety batch, maybe pick out all the small ones and just do a test germination on paper towels to satisfy your own curiosity. You can discard the results, but at least you should have an idea of what percentage of smalls might germinate in the future.
Will size of seeds vary between different tomato varieties?
Yes, size of seeds will vary between different tomato varieties, some cherries having very tiny seeds, and even some larger hearts and beefsteaks may not necessarily have particularly large seeds. So don't expect seeds from all your varieties to be uniform in size.
Is there a way to tell if the seeds are good quality?
Generally, good quality tomato seeds will be plump and firm. If they feel soft or shriveled, they may not be viable. Also, look for signs of mold or discoloration on the seed coat. These could indicate that the seed is not viable.
What is the best way to store tomato seeds?
Tomato seeds should be stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. You can also store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for longer-term storage. Make sure to label the container with the variety name and date of harvest so you know what you have.
How long can I expect tomato seeds to remain viable?
Tomato seeds can remain viable for up to five years if stored properly. However, viability decreases over time, so it's best to use them within two years for optimal germination rates.