Saving seeds question

[clkeiper]

We have bacterial speck this year but not all the tomatoes look yucky. most of the plants are yucky but can I save seeds from a tomato that doesn't have any specks on it? or am I going to carry over a contaminated seed born issue?

[Worth1]

From what I have read you can spread it in the seeds unless they are treated.
No way would I even trust the treating myself if this is true.

[oakley]

This is the first year in twenty I will not save any seeds. (I have plenty from years past
to start next year...my 'stable' of favorites)

This is on the main farm garden. A weak year and not sure what is going on but not a
good tomato year as all my neighbors are going through this as well. All over upstate
NY and Mass and Conn.

Though we have all had great garlic, summer/winter squash, fruits like blueberries,
grapes...pears, apples.

And do not share seeds in any trades if you do save seed.

In NYC I have clean good plants with many nice fruits still producing with no apparent
issues...dwarf project and micros I'm planning to save seed.

[greenthumbomaha]

And do not share seeds in any trades if you do save seed.


Same here, oakley. I am experiencing a plethora of disease issues this year as well. Not new ones, just a lot of yuck going on in areas previously clean... early blight, spot diseases, even one with wilt in a pot on the side of my house..

There are very few varieties that I'll be sending in, but they will be healthy ones. So far only three are in the fermentation bath. Hoping for a few late plants that have sufficient fruits.


I hope we can get a sticky for a compilation of posts with techniques for sterilizing unknown seeds that were fermented, possibly incompletely.

After reading the experiences of others this year, I am to the point of not planting anything that doesn't have a name attached with the package from someone I have traded with. That (the disease) is not the mystery we desire!

- Lisa

[greenthumbomaha]

Originally Posted by Worth1

From what I have read you can spread it in the seeds unless they are treated.
No way would I even trust the treating myself if this is true.

I agree with you a million times over, Worth. I have too much going on to risk improper treatment and spreading a plague!

- Lisa

[SharonRossy]

Well that answers my questions. My NAR has some foliar disease - looks like septoria - so no saving those seeds. I'm keeping a close eye on the other toms which so far have been ok. It's a bummer but with any hope I'll be able to save a few varieties - but I would not trade them for sure. Looks like I'll be ordering a whole bunch of new seeds!

[seaeagle]

Originally Posted by SharonRossy

Well that answers my questions. My NAR has some foliar disease - looks like septoria - so no saving those seeds. I'm keeping a close eye on the other toms which so far have been ok. It's a bummer but with any hope I'll be able to save a few varieties - but I would not trade them for sure. Looks like I'll be ordering a whole bunch of new seeds!

You should be fine using proper fermentation. I think it is important to stir when you suspect some disease may be present to ensure all the seeds are exposed and not just sitting on top of each other. Also I would ferment small batches (one or two or three tomatoes at a time depending on the size.) As a safety measure dip the seeds in a bleach solution before sowing. This cleans any remaining virus that fermentation may have missed and hydrates the seeds. It is a personal choice, but I would do it for my personal use.

This method of fermentation can be found on Tatiana's Tomatobase website and is authored by Container Ted. Sorry do not have the link.

[oakley]

Some plant pathogens are able to penetrate the seed itself, out of reach from any
fermentation or surface seed treatment.

[seaeagle]

Originally Posted by oakley

Some plant pathogens are able to penetrate the seed itself, out of reach from any
fermentation or surface seed treatment.

True, but is kinda rare I think, She said Septoria so that is what i based my opinion on

[clkeiper]

Originally Posted by oakley

Some plant pathogens are able to penetrate the seed itself, out of reach from any
fermentation or surface seed treatment.

that was my worry. I was not planning on sharing them with anyone else but I don't want to risk reintroducing the disease from possibly contaminated seeds.

[Worth1]

I spent hours looking at this on line and found electron microscope pictures of the virus (in) the tomato seed not on it.
There is no way to kill this virus other than heat treatment.
Cant remember where or what kind of virus.
Also you cant grantee commercial seeds wont have it on occasion.
I bought some squash seeds that had mosaic virus in them.
Worth

[clkeiper]

Worth, is this a bacteria or a virus? Is a bacteria different than a virus for cleaning the seeds?

[Worth1]

Originally Posted by clkeiper

Worth, is this a bacteria or a virus? Is a bacteria different than a virus for cleaning the seeds?

I have no idea I cant remember what I saw in that scientific university PDF I looked at or even where to find it.
I didn't post the link because it was so boring.

Here is one but not the one I looked at.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...GXTNX7sPUPAPXw

[Worth1]

Another one I looked at have fun on this one.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...gOqaQfbLaXu0zw

[Worth1]

I read both of those just now and another really long one, I am wore smooth out.

Looks like bactria fungus and virus plus nematodes can infect the inside of the seeds but not for sure.
Looks like heat treatment is the way to go if it is a known problem after tests.
The tests aren't really that hard if you have the equipment and a lab.

I do think everyone that is into this sort of thing needs a microscope, no kidding.
It would take so much of the guess work out of many diseases and identification.