Last year we grew some of the best, sweetest cherry-style tomatoes I have ever had. They came from Bonnie Co. and were called "Chocolate Sprinkles". They grew in bunches like grapes. Tried to buy some plants this Spring and despite even calling the company we could not get any, Finally bought some other types.

Lo and behold, 2 Chocolate Sprinkle plants came up in the garden this year! Took good care of them and ate some of them but saved the rest. Quite a few tomatoes are still out there but the frost here is killing everything quick.

I want to save the seeds from them and grow them in Spring. I have never done that before so am asking for any procedures or tricks you guys use to save the seeds and then start them in trays in the Spring. Any help or advice would be appreciated!

Moosetrot

I just pull out the seeds ,put them on a paper towel and let dry for a week or so and store them in a pill bottle . I dont know if this is the right way but Never had a problem sprouting doing it this way .

Starting tomatoes isn't difficult. Any seed starting mix kept moist but not wet in a warm location will have them popping up in about three days. DO NOT be tempted to pull the seed coat let them grow out the dicotlydon leaves and shrug it off.

Now comes the trouble stage. To much moisture/humidity leads to molds and damping off. If using a covered tray or cloche get it off, if cold at night put on for warmth only. LIGHT, most important at this stage FULL LIGHT as close to full sun spectrum as physically possible. Open sun outdoors ideal. Anything less will have them stretching to reach the light and that's how you get tall leggy weak plants that fall over. If using a grow light put into almost contact with the plants. Some legginess can't be avoided as the sun can't be fully replaced so stiffen them up by making them work for it. Place a small fan on them for a light breeze. You want a small wiggle to them for them to grow strong. If no fan pet them regularly just brushing your hand over them. Fan also helps humidity issues.

Water from below and never wet the plants.

Second or third leaf start acclimating them outdoors if weather permits. If still cool at night bring indoors or cover. Watch that they don't get burnt or wilt, after a few days they should be tough enough to set out.


Those chocolate sprinkles is an F1 hybrid so expect off types to show up. You can rogue it out by saving the most true to type seed each year and culling the off types. Encourage true breeding by planting the best together for pollination. It generally takes about seven generations to fix tomatoes traits.

The best way to save tomato seeds is to scoop them out of the tomato and place them in warm water in a jar or glass. Cover the top with a paper towel to keep flies out. The pulp from the tomato will ferment and float to the top, usually that will mold. The good seeds will fall to the bottom. After a few days, once all the pulp has floated up, spoon it off. Dump the seeds from the bottom in a colander and rinse them well. Then place the seeds on a plate and let them thoroughly dry. Once they are dry put them in a jar or envelope and seal them.

What I usually do is just squeeze a tomato and squirt some seeds on top of good dirt in the bed. They will sprout in the Spring. When the tomato plants are a few inches tall, I dig them up, separate them and plant them where I want them.

Processing the seeds and storing them inside is safer and allows you to start them early, to get a jump on production. Squirting them on dirt works, but the seeds won't germinate until the soil is naturally warm enough.

Keith

"The best way to save tomato seeds is to scoop them out of the tomato and place them in warm water in a jar or glass. Cover the top with a paper towel to keep flies out. The pulp from the tomato will ferment and float to the top, usually that will mold. The good seeds will fall to the bottom. After a few days, once all the pulp has floated up, spoon it off. Dump the seeds from the bottom in a colander and rinse them well. Then place the seeds on a plate and let them thoroughly dry. Once they are dry put them in a jar or envelope and seal them."


This is the way I do it.

That's what my wife does with tomatoes and peppers, she has good success.

Moosetrot- The only problem is that the "Chocolate sprinkles" may not be a true variety and its future generations may start breaking down into its ancestry components.

If you "F2" plants (what grew up in your garden this year) stayed the same as the first year, then that variety may stay together longer than a typical hybrid. I might be interesting to see what shows up for fruit has you get deeper into further generations of the same "plant". Good luck!!

That's the way dad did it but the way KeithC does it is better. The seeds come out dry and loose not stuck to the towel.

Moosetrot- You could have a mule,,, Chocolate Sprinkles is a Hybrid, and many seeds are potentially sterile and or could revert to the ancestorial varietal as NonPVfed mentioned. Sure would be worth a try to see what you get.

Thanks to all!

Those tomatoes are so good they are worth a try. They wind up being about the size of a small plumb. Like I said before they grow like a bunch of grapes and are sweet as can be.

We'll see how they turn out next year! "Little Shop of Horrors" and "Feed me Seymour" has come to mind but I will deal with it.

Moosetrot

Might try asking an Heirloom Seed Club about getting more seed to keep the gene pool flowing.

Lots of Great info...

We do the same

I’d ask Bonnie if they are hybrid or heirloom. If hybrid, no telling what you will get from the saved seeds.