You can easily save your own tomato seeds from one year to the next. This will save you money on seeds and help you grow plants that do well in your area.
Most tomatoes hold 100 or more seeds, so you only need a few fruits for seed saving. When you save tomato seeds, only save seeds from traditional, open-pollinated varieties, which are sometimes called heirloom or heritage varieties. F1 hybrid seeds won’t grow well.
Collect your seeds from fully ripe fruits. Cut the tomato open then scoop out the fleshy pulp containing the seeds into a glass jar. Smaller tomatoes can just be burst and squeezed out. Top up with a little water and label the jar with the variety.
The gel surrounding the seeds inhibits germination and must be removed. Leave for two to five days to begin fermenting. This will break down the seed coat and kill many of the bacteria and fungi that are killing the seeds.
Check and gently swirl the jar every day. The seeds are ready for cleaning when the pulp floats to the top. It’s possible that scum will form on top, and most of the seeds will have sunk to the bottom. Carefully skim off the pulp then tip the liquid and seeds into a strainer. Run water over the seeds and use the back of a wooden spoon to carefully scrape off anything that is still stuck to them.
Remove most of the water from the seeds by spreading them out on paper towel. Then, move them to a surface that won’t stick, like a dinner plate. Dry the seeds in a warm place out of direct sunlight. It will take two to three weeks for the seeds to completely dry out.
Gently scrape the seeds into labeled paper envelopes. Store them in a dry place at a cool, steady temperature. You could keep envelopes in a tin or other sealed container with silica gel crystals inside to keep the air out. Seeds can store for up to five years.
It doesn’t take much work to save your own tomato seeds, and the whole process feels very satisfying. Are there any other kinds of vegetable seeds you save? Let us know in the comments!
As you slice into a ripe juicy tomato, you reveal hundreds of tiny seeds nestled within the vibrant flesh. But have you ever wondered exactly how many seeds are contained in an average tomato? This common kitchen ingredient holds some fascinating facts when it comes to the seed count per fruit.
Tomatoes are unique in the nightshade family, as they are the only member with pubescent seeds. These tiny seeds are encased within the jelly-like pulp inside the tomato. They play a vital role in plant reproduction and harbor impressive potential. Just a few tomato seeds can produce an abundance of new plants.
On average, most tomato varieties contain between 100-300 seeds per fruit. However, this range can vary quite significantly based on the tomato’s size, variety and growing conditions. Let’s explore what influences seed counts in tomatoes and how you can go about accurately counting those tiny seeds for yourself.
What Impacts the Number of Seeds in a Tomato?
Several key factors affect the seed count in tomato fruits:
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Tomato variety – Cherries have fewer seeds while beefsteaks have more.
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Tomato size – Larger tomatoes fit more seeds due to increased internal space.
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Growing conditions – Optimal sun, water and nutrients promote higher seed counts.
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Plant health – Disease or stress can reduce the number of viable seeds produced.
So when assessing seed counts, consider the tomato variety, its stage of ripeness, and how the plant was cared for. This provides context for understanding the seed numbers you uncover.
A Practical Guide to Counting Seeds
Counting tomato seeds is a simple, hands-on way to get up close with this amazing fruit. Here is a step-by-step approach:
- Slice the tomato vertically from stem to bottom.
- Gently pull the halves apart to reveal the seed cavities.
- Use tweezers to extract seeds individually, keeping count.
- Divide each half into sections, counting the seeds in each area.
- Add up totals from both halves for the complete seed tally.
For accuracy, work over a plate to catch any escaping seeds. And take your time – discovering nature’s hidden treasures should be enjoyable!
Why the Seed Count Matters
Understanding tomato seed counts has implications for home gardeners and commercial growers alike.
For home gardeners, higher seed counts mean more plants from a single fruit. This allows efficient use of limited garden space. Lower counts signal varieties focused more on quality over quantity.
Commercially, higher seed counts may be preferred for processed products like tomato paste. Lower counts are favored for fresh market tomatoes where texture and flavor are priorities. So seed numbers guide strategic crop selection and planning.
Tomato Seed Records and Fascinating Facts
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The tomato variety ‘Delicious’ holds the record for most seeds, averaging about 450 per fruit!
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Cherry tomatoes typically have around 25-80 seeds due to their small size.
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Large beefsteak types generally have between 300-400 seeds.
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Heirloom tomatoes often have higher seed counts than hybrids.
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The seeds offer nutritional benefits too – they are high in fiber, vitamin E and phytonutrients.
Key Takeaways on Tomato Seeds
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Most tomatoes harbor 100-300 seeds, but counts vary significantly.
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Seed numbers depend on tomato variety, size, and growing conditions.
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Carefully counting seeds reveals nature’s wonders up close.
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Understanding seed counts helps guide planting and agriculture decisions.
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Records exist for the most seeds, while facts showcase their diversity.
So next time you enjoy a garden-fresh tomato, take a moment to appreciate the abundance of life contained within those tiny, tasty seeds!
Plants Related to this Article
If you need help designing your vegetable garden, try our Vegetable Garden Planner.
How to Save Tomato Seeds for Next Year
FAQ
How many tomato seeds do I put in each hole?
How many tomatoes do you usually get from one plant?
How many seeds do I put in one hole?
How many seeds does a tomato have?
One of the most interesting things about tomatoes is the number of seeds that they contain. On average, a tomato will contain between 150 and 300 seeds. However, the exact number of seeds can vary based on a number of factors, including the size of the tomato and the variety of tomato plant that it comes from.
How many viable seeds does a flower of tomato plant produce?
A flower of tomato plant following the process of sexual reproduction produces 200 viable seeds. – Biology A flower of tomato plant following the process of sexual reproduction produces 200 viable seeds. (a) What would have been the minimum number of ovules present in pre-pollinated pistil ?
How long does it take to grow tomato seeds?
How long it takes to grow tomatoes by seed will depend on the specific variety you have. They’ll germinate between 7-14 days, and can begin producing fruit anywhere from 60 and 100 days after that. What month do you start tomato seeds? The exact month you start tomato seeds depends on your climate.
Can you divide tomato seeds?
Dividing them is risky, even minor stem or root damage can kill them. When your tomato seedlings have developed three sets of true leaves, pot them into larger 3-4” plastic or plantable pots. Bury them deeper, up to the first set of true leaves, to encourage stronger roots.
What do tomato seedlings look like?
There are two stages to tomato seedlings, and they both look very different. The seed leaves will come first. These two small leaves are long and oval shaped, tapering to a point at the end. All of the ones that form after the first two are called the “true leaves”, and they look like tiny tomato leaves.
How do you plant tomato seeds?
Step 1: Prepare the soil – If you’re using pellets, pre-moisten them before placing them in the trays. Otherwise use your hand trowel to fill each cell with a damp soil mix. Step 2: Decide how many seeds to plant – If you have a new packet, one per cell is fine. For older tomato seeds, plant 2-3 in each to compensate for lower germination rates.