what is best method to remove the gooey gel layer (mucilage) from seed ?
i have a lot of seed to do (cpl hundred)

I soak the seed for a couple minutes then rub it between dry paper towels.

OK
will try that
last year i did each (all) by messy hand

thanks Daisy

Dick, are you talking about tomato seeds? If so, you can put them in a container (I use washed-out margarine tubs) with some water, left them sit for 2-3 days - they will develop a layer of mold, which is okay - then add a little more water and mix things up, let the seeds settle and pour off the liquid, add water to rinse the seeds and pour it off, repeat that another time or two, then dump the seeds out and spread them out to dry; I use a coffee filter on top of a paper towel on top of a paper plate, the seeds don't stick to the coffee filter like they do paper towels and the paper towel beneath it absorbs the liquid.

Other gooey seeds - like pumpkin and squash - I just rinse in a colander and then spread them out to dry.

You obviously missed the post a couple weeks ago from someone you set their tomato seeds to soak for a couple days and they all germinated.

Try soaking seeds to loosen outer gel layer, then use a small wooden block covered with wet fine sandpaper.(type of sandpaper used with water). It's a tedious process and anything to make it easier helps. Be sure to wear silicone gloves to protect fingers.

Hint: it's what I use a lot on the horses hoofs to remove fine cracks and bring up a shine. There's more than one way to shine a hoof beside the sandpaper small block. If ya have a small cordless dremel tool with a brush easy to swish around in water gently to loosen gel layers. Sounds like you have a lot.
Good Luck.

I don't clean seeds unless especially goopy. The dry paper towels are usually enough for me. The best way to store tomato seeds is put a whole tomato in a pot someplace.

i soaked in hot water for 2 hours and then tried wiping them with paper
didn't work on 95%
no these are not tomato seed
they are Podophyllum seed The thread "Podophyllums #2 pollinating and cross breeding" in Shade Gardening forum

DaisyI said:You obviously missed the post a couple weeks ago from someone you set their tomato seeds to soak for a couple days and they all germinated.

Actually I did see that post but I believe they said they didn't remember how long the seeds had been soaking. I always do my tomato seeds this way (as recommended by the Seed Savers' Exchange) and have never had my seeds sprout in the process. (and I assume that you meant to say "someone WHO set their tomato seeds..." not "someone YOU ..." because I hadn't advised that person to do so.)

Weedwhacker said:

Actually I did see that post but I believe they said they didn't remember how long the seeds had been soaking. I always do my tomato seeds this way (as recommended by the Seed Savers' Exchange) and have never had my seeds sprout in the process. (and I assume that you meant to say "someone WHO set their tomato seeds..." not "someone YOU ..." because I hadn't advised that person to do so.)

Yes, a typo. Didn't intend to accuse you of anything.

Is there a good reason to remove the goo? I know lots of seeds have coatings of gel (lime basil, chia salvia, mayapples) Don't think I would have used a HOT water soak...but usually allowing them to dry and using a tool to scrape the seed (striations? is it called?) would allow germination to be better...otherwise, if wanting to use them in jelly making, you would squeeze the seeds and gel thru a mesh strainer (like loose tea leaves, or when prepping for fruits for jelly making.