[quote="Weedwhacker"]BetNC -- they should get quite a fuzzy layer on the top... unless you've been stirring them up regularly, which is also okay, and then they won't get that layer.

Again, the internet directions say to remove plastic wrap (with 2 holes in it for air) and stir daily. . .recover. . . . repeat. I've got no fuzzy layer yet, it's just been getting cloudier for the last 3 days.

So I should wait a bit longer, until I see fuzz???? The same site said fermenting tomato seed for longer than 2 days really affected their viability. Cloudy isn't fuzzy, so I guess its not fermenting yet?????? Will it ferment eventually????? Am I doing this right?

Yes, I'd say you're doing it right . It really isn't rocket science, don't stress over it... if you stir it you won't get the layer of mold, but that's okay; just go ahead and rinse your seeds (they should be sinking to the bottom) and dry them. (I'd go ahead and do that now, rather than leaving them in the "soup" any longer.)

No expert here but I think those directions are wrong.

No stirring needed. Directions I read said 3 days is enough. I think your 8 days is way too long.

I simply squeezed mine into a bowl, added a small amount of water so seeds are all covered. Covered with plastic wrap and set aside on a counter. Nothing else. Three days later, skimmed off scum, no stirring. Pour in strainer and rinse well. Try to shake off as much water as you can. Put into coffee filter to dry. Not too difficult.

Opps, I contradicted Sandy. I just think that the directions your following are overly complicated.

Did you keep the "goop" with the seeds? I think that gives the fungus something to eat.

And I agree: after 8 days, take them out and dry them. You don't want them to sprout.

Congratulations on saving seeds! So many small seed companies are being bought up that the few big companies at the top are approaching a monopoly. And heirlooms don't make them money, so they drop them. If there were no private seed savers, those big companies would soon have a monopoly over FOOD.

So kind of our government to protect us, the people, from big campaign contributors!

Newyorkrita said:Opps, I contradicted Sandy. I just think that the directions your following are overly complicated.

LOL -- I do mine the same way you described, Rita (except I kind of rinse them and dry them when I 'get around to it.') But I have read that you can stir them, which supposedly eliminates the odor from the forming mold layer. I always do mine in plastic margarine tubs with the lid on (on the kitchen counter because I'd totally forget about them otherwise) and have never noticed any odor.

So, I agree with Rita -- save yourself the trouble of stirring, just let them sit there for a few days, then dump off the yucky stuff, rinse, drain and spread them out to dry. (I like to use a coffee filter on top of a paper plate because the seeds don't stick to it as much as to a paper towel, but that certainly isn't a technique that's set in stone, either.)

I didn't put air holes in my plastic cover. I keep forgetting about the seeds though.. I have to go check them. It's only been 2 days.

BTW, I posted pictures of the tomatoes on FB and the people there keep telling me they are roma tomatoes. That'd be fine.. but the plant is over 8 feet tall and still growing and flowering. It is clearly not determinant. That means they couldn't possibly be roma, right? (Plus even Burpee isn't bad enough to sell roma seeds in a grape-like tomato name, right?)

Is there an indeterminate roma variety?

I think a lot of people call any type of paste/sauce tomato "roma." The shape and even the interior are a lot like "Viva Italia," except for the little point on the bottom. I'm sure there are any number of varieties with that trait, but the only one I've ever grown is Riesentraube, a cherry-size grape-type.

When I saved seeds I did the stir method. They should be done now and ready to rinse & dry.

Claudia said:When I saved seeds I did the stir method. They should be done now and ready to rinse & dry.

See, everyone has their own way that works for them.

Oh I just covered my small bowls with some plastic wrap. No airholes but I didn't make it too tightly on there anyway.

robynanne said:I didn't put air holes in my plastic cover. I keep forgetting about the seeds though.. I have to go check them. It's only been 2 days.

BTW, I posted pictures of the tomatoes on FB and the people there keep telling me they are roma tomatoes. That'd be fine.. but the plant is over 8 feet tall and still growing and flowering. It is clearly not determinant. That means they couldn't possibly be roma, right? (Plus even Burpee isn't bad enough to sell roma seeds in a grape-like tomato name, right?)

Is there an indeterminate roma variety?

Don't leave those seeds too long. 3-4 days should do it.

As Sandy said, there are many Roma shaped tomatoes. The real Roma wouldn't be that tall and yes it is Determinate.

I wanted to add that I am growing a bunch of Roma shaped tomatoes this year. The only reason no one would think they are Romas is because they are not red. The only red one is much, much bigger than any Romas could ever get.

Fortunately, the plant I'm saving seeds from is still producing, so I'm going to try AGAIN!! And the plant is a determinate dwarf, OP heirloom. . . so it'll breed true from these seeds (well, maybe not THESE abused seeds. . . getting no plant isn't breeding true, eh??)

THIS time differences: 2-3 tbs water instead of a swimming pool ; 1-2 days max; no stirring.

The seeds DID kinda stick to the paper plate, but were easily dislodged by a finger poke .

Since it isn't a hybrid issue, I guess I shouldn't have asked here. . . . please forgive me.

BetNC said:Fortunately, the plant I'm saving seeds from is still producing, so I'm going to try AGAIN!! And the plant is a determinate dwarf, OP heirloom. . . so it'll breed true from these seeds (well, maybe not THESE abused seeds. . . getting no plant isn't breeding true, eh??)

THIS time differences: 2-3 tbs water instead of a swimming pool ; 1-2 days max; no stirring.

The seeds DID kinda stick to the paper plate, but were easily dislodged by a finger poke .

Since it isn't a hybrid issue, I guess I shouldn't have asked here. . . . please forgive me.

No problem. I think the only concern is to make sure you had OP seed to breed true.

One day isn't enough. Three days should be perfect and yes, a very small amount of water.

I've got the seeds saved from the sweet salad. The second plant with these tomatoes is starting to blush now, which is interesting because it was maybe the 5th plant in the ground. The sky reacher hasn't blushed yet but it has to be soon. That one is about the same age as the first sweet salad plant.
Sky reacher:

And a picture of the second sweet salad plant

Robyn, I may have missed it but... how large are those sweet salad tomatoes?

Weedwhacker said:Robyn, I may have missed it but... how large are those sweet salad tomatoes?

I'll bring a ruler out and get a few pictures with that. They are pretty big though. I don't have a scale to weigh them, I wish I did. Maybe 3 or 4 inches long.

Okay - 3 inches or so is about what I was picturing; just started thinking maybe they were a small (like 1-inch) tomato and I didn't realize it.

It certainly sounds like a nice tomato -- especially for canning, sauce, etc.

This hybrid was a disappointment, and from the name I was hoping it was a keeper. Really nice shape and size, no blemishes or other appearance issues. ....But...really bland. Tastes just like something one would get at the grocery store in mid-winter.

Bonehead said:This hybrid was a disappointment, and from the name I was hoping it was a keeper. Really nice shape and size, no blemishes or other appearance issues. ....But...really bland. Tastes just like something one would get at the grocery store in mid-winter.

• Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum 'First Lady')
• Uploaded by Bonehead

That is a shame to get a loser. But at least now you know and will not be growing it again.