Originally posted by Cyberbian
You cannot grow tomatos from seeds which you simply closet away the year before.
The reason being is that there is a coating which needs to break down by bacterial action before it can sprout. If you want to store seeds from one
season to the next, put the tomato on a paper coffee filter and let it rot.
When it dry's out, store the filter for next year.
Many people believe hybrids cannot reproduce, some can, some cannot.
For a number of reasons, flavor and nutrition being the top, the Heirloom are the best. I very much agree with you!
Not having been Gen Modded is another fine reason.
Interesting info.
You're right on the some hybrids reproducing and some do not, but from what I understand what you may get is another hybrid that combines features
from a couple of different species.
I'm going to try and start tomatoes and a few other things next season from seeds that have been stored away in their original packets along with
drying some tomato and chili seeds.
So far I have eleven different tomato types planted and all but one look like they're doing ok.
All but three started from seed around the first of March and planted in the garden about two weeks ago.
Funny part is, the one plant that doesn't seem to be making it is Sweetie's favorite, Romas.
I'm going to give it another week and see whats up and if necessary go get a plant thats well started at the nursery.
Gotta have Romas for Italian cooking - which she does and I do the Mexican style cooking.
Her stuff, gourmet delights, mine . . . hunting camp cooking, but no ones turned it down.
I couldn't find it during a quick run through of my favorites yesterday, but there are some tricks to drying tomato seed.
I'll do a little more looking.
Here's the real funny part, Zuchinni, right behind radishes has to be the easiest veggie of all to grow.
The radishes are doing ok, but the zukes - two different brands and styles, one the ever common Burpee seeds at 97 cents and one organic wonder at
three bucks per packet - like you'd think, the organics didn't make it in this alkaline Arizona soil (which has been amended with organics) but the
Burpee 97 cent wonders are doing ok.
To be fair, the organics all died out a few weeks after the planting from seed trays, but there are some tiny green leafs coming up.
We'll see, I'll let you know how the zukes do and next year if the last years seeds sprout I'll let you know about that as well....