Tomato Seeds

[Broke Down Ranch]

I am wanting to get some fall tomato plants started in the next few days. How long do harvested tomato seeds need to dry before I can plant them?

 

[bid]

I would say about a week. If you are fermenting your seeds first this would add several days time to the process. Good luck with those fall tomatos!

 

[patandchickens]

There is a faster easier way: just root slips from whatever tomato plants you're talking about drying seeds from.

Pinch off suckers coming off from the 'armpits' where leaves joint the main stem, preferably about 6-8" long, and bury them up to their necks (so to speak) in whatever you use for starting seeds in.

Keep them covered and out of sunlight til they resume growing (which means they've rooted), then harden them off (get them used to sun and wind again) and you've got transplants that are clones of the parent plant.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[Broke Down Ranch]

By saying keep them covered and out of sunlight, do you mean keep them in the dark?

 

[Ridgerunner]

This thread gives pretty good details on taking tomato cuttings.

http://www.theeasygarden.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=25481

Good Luck!

 

[patandchickens]

By saying keep them covered and out of sunlight, do you mean keep them in the dark?

\

Oh no, just keep them out of direct sun like any other cutting you'd start. So, they should be in 100% shade, good brightness but no direct sunlight (especially since they will probably need to be partly- covered with a bag or clear box for humidity, unless you live somewhere already super-humid and nonwindy).

Good luck, have fun,

Pat