How to choose tomato seeds - what needs to be taken into account and how not to be left without a harvest?

Author: Tatyana O. https://floristics.info/ru/index.php?option=com_contact&view=contact&id=16 Category: Garden plants Published: December 24, 2021Last edits: December 24, 2021

Each owner of a summer cottage and personal plot annually thinks about what varieties of tomatoes to grow for food and for canning next season.

In a store or at a garden center, you may be captivated by a beautiful picture and advertisement on a packet of seeds: a super-yielding, super-tasty or super-sweet variety. But by the end of the season you may be disappointed because you do not get the expected result. Because you need to choose a variety based on other criteria.

Zoning

The most important criterion when choosing a tomato variety is regionalization. You want tomatoes that were bred in your region or in an area with similar climate conditions.

If you live in the northern region and plant tomatoes zoned for the southern climate, you will not get the yield and sustainability stated in the characteristics, because the variety was bred for growing in other conditions. Southern varieties are distinguished by greater foliage, which protects the fruits from the hot sun, and can have an extended fruiting period, because they are designed for long, warm summers.

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Northern tomatoes have less foliage because in cool climates the fruits do not require protection from heat and bright sun. And their growing season is not so long, since the northern summer is shorter than the southern one.

Advice from experienced gardeners

Many summer residents know how to properly collect tomato seeds. There are a number of secrets that they willingly share with others.

1. To harvest seed material, it is worth taking fruits from bushes on which they are approximately the same size.
2. It is not advisable to use metal utensils when harvesting seeds. Tomato juice is acidic, so oxidation processes can negatively affect seed germination.
3. When fermenting seeds, water should not be added to jars with seed material, as this promotes seed growth.
4. The shelf life of tomato seeds should not exceed 4 years. At the same time, their germination rate decreases every year.
5. The seed packets are wrapped in foil. This prevents regrowth.

Collecting tomato seeds is a troublesome task, but with a little time you can be sure of a good harvest next year. Its germination rate depends on how correctly the planting material is collected at home, so it’s worth trying.

Greenhouse and ground tomatoes

When purchasing seeds, you need to pay attention to the manufacturer’s recommendations regarding the purpose of the variety: it is intended for cultivation in a greenhouse or in open ground. If the variety is recommended for greenhouses, and you plant it in the garden, then even the sweetest, most productive and disease-resistant tomatoes may not show their wonderful qualities.

In addition, tall varieties, the so-called indeterminate varieties, which are capable of producing maximum yield in a small area, are usually recommended for greenhouses. In open ground, it is more convenient to grow short and medium-sized tomatoes, that is, superdeterminate and determinate. They are easier to care for, easier to tie up, and you can grow them spread out, placing straw under the bushes.

General recommendations

There are several recommendations for collecting tomato seeds that will help you obtain high-quality planting material.

In some cases, it is necessary to collect seeds from unripe tomatoes. Such fruits are also used to prepare planting material, but they need to be allowed to ripen at room temperature for a couple of weeks.

To improve the quality of the seeds, they are kept for 20 minutes in a disinfectant solution before drying. You can prepare it from laundry soap by dissolving a tablespoon of soap shavings in a glass of water. You can make a weak solution of potassium permanganate and dip the seeds into it.

You can dry tomato seeds on toilet paper. The roll is gradually unrolled and the seeds are laid out on the paper at regular intervals. Store planting material directly in a roll. In spring they are planted together with paper.

It must be remembered that the quality of planting material is higher if the bags of seeds are stored at a temperature of about 5 degrees and a humidity of no more than 55%.

Purpose of the variety

Try to choose varieties that are different in purpose. There are salad-type tomatoes - large, fleshy tomatoes of different shapes and different colors, which are intended for fresh consumption.

There are tomatoes for pickling and pickling: they are not so large and have thicker skin. They also come in different shapes: elongated (cream) and round.

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And there are universal varieties that are suitable for pickling, pickling and fresh consumption, as they have excellent taste.

Can I use seeds from F1 tomatoes?

You can collect the seeds of any tomato, they will germinate and bear fruit.
The question is, should this be done? When germinating seeds taken from F1 tomatoes, you will get second-generation F2 hybrids; they will have completely different characteristics and quality from F1 hybrids. Moreover, the grown seedlings will have such a huge variety that you won’t find two plants with the same fruits. When purchasing F1 hybrids, we spend money for one thing - a high yield of excellent taste, including resistance to a number of diseases. Second generation hybrids almost completely lose these properties. Among them, some specimens with certain elite properties may be born, but if you are not engaged in breeding work, the value of one specimen among two or three dozen of the most diverse bushes will be lost. Breeding a new variety of tomato is many years of painstaking work.

My approach to choosing varieties

I don’t have a greenhouse, so I only grow ground tomatoes, but I plant different varieties and hybrids, both in terms of ripening time and purpose. Every year I buy new varieties and see how they perform on my site. I prefer varietal tomatoes, and I have the opportunity to collect seeds from the tomatoes I like.

Why do I plant different varieties? Because the same variety manifests itself differently in different weather conditions, and if, for example, in a cold or rainy summer some varieties fail me, then others will not leave me without a harvest.

I believe that it is better to plant several plants of different varieties than to plant the entire area with one variety that may not produce any results.

My approach to choosing varieties is dictated by many years of experience. You may have a different experience, and therefore a different approach. However, those who have little or no experience will benefit from my recommendations.

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I would like to wish everyone a successful choice of varieties for the next season and good health.

How to collect tomato seeds correctly

Collecting seeds is a simple process and does not require special tools or equipment. To collect planting material you need to take:

• Ripened tomatoes;
• Knife for cutting fruits;
• A teaspoon;
• Glass container;
• A sieve or gauze folded in several layers;
• Paper towel;
• Cotton bag or paper bag for storage.

In addition, it is recommended to take a flat plate on which the tomatoes will be cut. This will prevent juice from spilling onto the table.

Conventional method of obtaining seeds

Collecting tomato seeds at home takes place in several successive stages. High germination of planting material can be achieved by preparing seeds using fermentation.

Slicing

The washed and dried tomato is cut into pieces so that there is access to the seed chambers. To do this, it can be cut in half or cut into small slices.

Depending on the tomato variety, the number of seed chambers varies. To easily remove the seeds from one tomato, it is enough to cut it into 4 parts, but in other cases you may need to cut it into smaller pieces.

Seed extraction

After cutting the tomato into pieces, carefully remove the seeds from the seed chambers with a spoon and pour them into the prepared jar. It is worth considering that the seeds must be completely covered with juice.

Seeds of only one variety of tomato are poured into one jar. Otherwise, there will be confusion when planting in the beds.

Fermentation process

The jar of seeds is covered with a piece of gauze and left in a warm place for fermentation. This process usually takes up to 2 days. If the house is very hot, the fermentation process begins earlier. It is important not to miss the moment, otherwise the seeds will begin to germinate and become unsuitable for planting.

The process is considered complete if air bubbles appear on the surface, the juice becomes clear, and the seeds fall to the bottom.

Washing

The contents of the jar are poured into a sieve over the sink and washed with running water. It is necessary to wash the seeds until the pulp is completely separated.

You can also wash tomato seeds in gauze, but this is not as convenient as in a sieve. A piece of gauze is pre-rolled into several layers.

Quality Seed Department

To immediately separate seeds suitable for planting, they are placed in a saline solution prepared from a glass of warm water and a teaspoon of salt. Pour the seeds into a glass, mix with a spoon and leave for 5 minutes. Only those seeds that have sunk to the bottom are considered suitable for planting. Tomato seeds floating on the surface are thrown away.

Drying

After washing, leave the seeds in the sieve for 20 minutes to drain off excess water. After this, the planting material is laid out on a paper towel to remove any remaining water.

It is recommended to dry tomato seeds on flat plates, no matter porcelain or plastic. To do this, scatter the seeds onto plates in an even layer and leave at room temperature. In order not to confuse the varieties, the plates must be signed immediately.

It takes up to a week for the seeds to dry completely. After this time, they are poured into labeled cotton bags or paper bags. Store planting material in a dry and cool place. You should avoid sudden changes in temperature and humidity in the room.

Do not dry seeds in direct sunlight. Excessive heat promotes germination of planting material.

A quick way to collect seeds

It often happens that a gardener does not have free time to fully prepare planting material for the next year. In this case, they resort to a quick method of collecting seeds. To do this, you need to take only three things - a ripe tomato, a sharp knife and a paper towel. The collection of tomato seeds is also carried out in several stages.

1. The tomato is cut into small slices, the pulp and seeds are separated by hand.
2. The seeds, along with some of the pulp, are poured onto a paper towel and spread.
3. Leave until completely dry. It takes 5-7 days.
4. After this, each seed is separated with your fingers and placed in a paper bag.

With this method of harvesting planting material, its quality is worse than when using the fermentation method, but the germination of tomato seeds is normal.

Seeds can only be stored in linen bags and paper bags. Do not store seeds in glass jars or plastic bags. In such conditions, the planting material becomes moldy.

We focus on the nature of development of the above-ground part of the tomato

The first thing you need to understand when choosing a variety is that all tomatoes differ in the nature of the development of the above-ground part. On this basis they are divided into indeterminate and determinate varieties.

Indeterminate varieties and hybrids of tomatoes are distinguished by unlimited growth and can reach a height of up to 6 m. In the middle zone and to the south, they are grown in greenhouses, forming a single stem. In the south they perform well in open ground. They are not used in the north because they do not have time to ripen either in open ground or in greenhouses.

• Inflorescences in such tomatoes are formed every three leaves.
• Up to 9 brushes can form on plants, the first of which appears above the 8-12th leaf, then after every 2nd.
• These are remontant tomato varieties. They bloom and bear fruit repeatedly, stopping growth only when autumn temperatures drop.
• In large-fruited tomato indeterminates, up to 4 fruits are formed in one cluster, in small-fruited tomatoes, cherry, up to 30.
• The fruiting period of this group begins 110-120 days after the emergence of seedlings.
• Due to their high growth, indeterminate tomatoes are less susceptible to late blight.

Determinate tomato varieties are characterized by limited growth (50-120 cm), one-time flowering, and the ability to form inflorescences on lateral branches. Determinate tomato varieties are used mainly for open ground (in the south and in the middle zone), and in the north for greenhouses. Need a simple garter.

• Determinate varieties of tomato plant about 5 bunches on one plant, forming them through 1-2 leaves.
• The first inflorescence is formed above the 5-7 leaves.
• Determinate tomato varieties have short internodes.
• To obtain a full harvest, they require pinching.
• Determinate tomato varieties begin bearing fruit 80-100 days after emergence.
• They yield the harvest together - 50% of the fruits ripen during the first 20 days of the fruiting period.
• They themselves stop growing after the formation of the last brush.

In the determinant group, superdeterminate and semi-determinate varieties are distinguished.

Superdeterminate tomatoes form a low (up to 80 cm), highly branched bush with 2-3 trusses, formed after 1-2 leaves already above the 5-6 leaf. These are early ripening tomato varieties that yield a good harvest and do not require pinching. During the 20 days of the fruiting period, about 80% of all fruits ripen on them.

Semi-determinate tomatoes have weak determinacy and can grow up to 1.5 m in height, forming up to 6-8 inflorescences, the first of which is formed after 9-10 leaves, and the subsequent ones - after 2-3 leaves. They ripen at a later date. Need a garter. Formed into 2 shoots.

Standard tomatoes are the shortest growing ones . They do not need a garter and do not require pinching. Very early ripening, characterized by friendly yield. They not only have a compact bush, but also a small root system, thanks to which they can be grown in a denser planting. Some tomato varieties in this group are excellent for container culture. Most have increased resistance to stress. The first brush on such tomatoes is formed above the 4-5 leaves, the subsequent ones - after 1-2 leaves.

Tomatoes. © Mrs eNil

How is the germination energy and germination capacity of tomato seeds determined?

Tomato seeds are laid out between two layers of paper or on a cloth and moistened. Germination temperature 20-30°C. The first count is carried out on the fifth day - this result shows the energy of germination. The second is on day 10 - it shows the percentage of sprouted seeds, that is, directly, the germination of seeds.

Unfortunately, the State Standard of Ukraine, unlike many European countries, does not contain the concept of seed germination energy. Typically, the energy of germination into seeds is 5-10% less than germination.

The standards for these indicators for tomato seeds are specified in GOST - 2240 (hereinafter excerpted from GOST).

What are the benefits of tomatoes?

Tomato is one of the most popular vegetable crops in the world. In Russia, it began to be cultivated as an ornamental plant at the beginning of the 18th century. It took a hundred years for the tomato to transform from a “stranger” into a highly sought-after vegetable crop. Thanks to the famous writer and scientist Andrei Timofeevich Bolotov, the tomato was recognized as suitable for consumption. At the beginning of the 20th century, agronomist A.S. Kravtsov said: “The tomato has no equal in Russian gardening in terms of profitability of cultivation.” This idea is still relevant today.

Tomato fruits are rich in lycopene, a red pigment that breaks down fats. It is a natural antioxidant that is essential for the human body. Antioxidants ensure cardiovascular health by strengthening the walls of capillaries and blood vessels. Many nutritionists recommend following a diet rich in lycopene to prevent coronary heart disease. Lycopene suppresses pathogenic microflora in the intestines, normalizes appetite, promotes weight loss, and regulates cholesterol metabolism in the body.

Due to the content of phytoncides in fruits, tomatoes have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It is worth noting that tomato fruits perfectly regulate the functioning of the nervous system, being an excellent antidepressant. Due to their high serotonin content, they also improve mood.

What are better varieties or hybrids of tomatoes?

The second question you should pay attention to when choosing tomato seeds is what variety or hybrid will you grow?

Variety

– a set of characteristics that distinguish a group of plants from another group of plants within the same species. These characteristics can be both positive and negative, and such plants inherit these characteristics (passed on from generation to generation).

Hybrid

- an organism that is obtained as a result of crossing two or more varieties of a plant and is a carrier of the improved characteristics of this plant which were specified as a result of this crossing. This may be a more shelf-stable variety, disease-resistant, and transportable.