Bleaching tomato seeds?
-
- Reactions:
- Posts: 459
- Joined: Sun Jan 05, 2020 8:34 pm
- Location: North AL Zone 7
Bleaching tomato seeds?
I did not soak the seeds I saved in bleach when I saved them (in 2018.) I wasn't worried about it because I figured I would be the only one using them. But since I will be sending them to other people, should I go ahead and give them a soak now? And if so, what portion of bleach to water and how long to soak?
North Central AL (mountains)
Zone 7
Zone 7
- MissS
- Reactions:
- Posts: 5599
- Joined: Fri Dec 13, 2019 4:55 am
- Location: SE Wisconsin Zone 5b
Re: Bleaching tomato seeds?
How did you prepare your seeds for drying? Did you just dry them or did you use some method to remove the gel? Did you have any disease issues with your tomatoes the year that you saved them? Most people believe that the harmful pathogens reside in the gel and that you need to remove the gel to have disease free seed.
In short, no I would not bleach your seeds now. I would just inform those that you send them too how you prepared the seed for drying. Many of us us the method of fermentation and believe that in doing so that it destroys any harmful pathogens. Others use the Oxiclean method to remove the gel.
In short, no I would not bleach your seeds now. I would just inform those that you send them too how you prepared the seed for drying. Many of us us the method of fermentation and believe that in doing so that it destroys any harmful pathogens. Others use the Oxiclean method to remove the gel.
~ Patti ~
-
- Reactions:
- Posts: 459
- Joined: Sun Jan 05, 2020 8:34 pm
- Location: North AL Zone 7
Re: Bleaching tomato seeds?
I didn't do the world's best job of getting the gel off unfortunately. So should I at least wet them and rub them to get stuff off? I really didn't realize until this morning that I had forgotten to do that before putting them up. Moral of story is don't try to save seed while moving. Sigh.
North Central AL (mountains)
Zone 7
Zone 7
-
- Reactions:
- Posts: 264
- Joined: Wed Dec 11, 2019 2:40 pm
- Location: Arlington, VA - zone 7A
Re: Bleaching tomato seeds?
I wouldn't wet them since that could get them germinating and you don't want that before it is time to plant. Leave them dry and, as MissS says, let folks know. When I've had seeds with gel on them, I let them soak for a few hours then push them around in a small metal strainer with my finger while running water through them and that usually cleans them up just fine. I've also put them briefly in hydrogen peroxide before soaking in water to disinfect them, which I think works pretty well.
-
- Reactions:
- Posts: 459
- Joined: Sun Jan 05, 2020 8:34 pm
- Location: North AL Zone 7
Re: Bleaching tomato seeds?
zendog, thanks... So be forewarned since it's the ML seeds I'm sending out that didn't get cleaned properly. I do apologize for the extra work for you and the others. I will make sure they all know.
North Central AL (mountains)
Zone 7
Zone 7
- MissS
- Reactions:
- Posts: 5599
- Joined: Fri Dec 13, 2019 4:55 am
- Location: SE Wisconsin Zone 5b
Re: Bleaching tomato seeds?
No don't worry. I have saved seeds for 'myself' by just drying them on a paper plate. I had no issues at all, however anything that I do send out has been fermented.
You are doing fine by letting them know.
You are doing fine by letting them know.
~ Patti ~
- Nan6b
- Reactions:
- Posts: 1545
- Joined: Tue Dec 10, 2019 2:58 pm
- Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Re: Bleaching tomato seeds?
It's recommended to bleach seeds immediately before planting, if one wishes to bleach. Leave that up to the recipients.
- AlittleSalt
- Reactions:
- Posts: 459
- Joined: Thu Dec 12, 2019 9:55 pm
Re: Bleaching tomato seeds?
I agree, let the recipient choose.
I followed Dr. Carolyn Male's advice only on saving seeds.
I followed Dr. Carolyn Male's advice only on saving seeds.
Texas Zone 8A