I saved some tomato seeds back in September 2024, but I just learned that fermenting them is crucial for preventing pathogens. Now I'm wondering if there's a way to cleanse the seeds I've already saved, or if my only chance was to ferment them right after harvesting. Any suggestions?
2 Answers
Honestly, I save and plant seeds all the time and haven’t had any issues with needing to sterilize them. Most of my old seeds still germinate just fine! But I get that if you're experiencing problems, it can be frustrating. I heard some folks find their saved seeds aren't doing so well either, so maybe giving the bleach soak a shot could help those stunted plants of yours.
So, fermenting tomato seeds can definitely help with germination, but it's not always necessary. You might still see good germination rates depending on the type of tomato. If you're worried about pathogens, try soaking your seeds in a bleach solution for about 10-15 minutes. Another option is to soak them in ethanol first and then use a bleach soak, but for a shorter time. There are several ways you can sterilize them, so you should be in good shape either way!