Beefsteak tomato seed germination failure - Ask Extension
I can get only 5 or 10% germination of my beefsteak tomato seeds. I get much better results with other varieties, like 60 or 70%.
I am using Miracle ...
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Beefsteak tomato seed germination failure #874831
Asked June 26, 2024, 3:17 PM EDT
I can get only 5 or 10% germination of my beefsteak tomato seeds. I get much better results with other varieties, like 60 or 70%.
I am using Miracle gro seed starting potting mix, in regular plastic seed starting trays. Seeds are from 2 different companies.
I plant 5he seeds 1/8 to 1/4 inch deep. I place the tray on a heating pad set at 75 degrees.
When I do get one to germinate, it is after about 15 days. My other varieties take about 6 or 7days.
Do you suggest soaking the seeds for a day or so
Summit County Ohio
Expert Response
Hi Robert, First off I will give you a link to a great tutorial on how tomato seeds are usually saved from ripe tomatoes. I worked at a research greenhouse and it is the way they always did it. Here is the link: https://www.bbg.org/article/saving_tomato_seeds
I also remember that using coffee filters to seive out the seeds is easier because they don't stick to the filter like they do to paper towels. Different texture.
So, maybe you didn't get them from your own tomatoes and just bought them from the rack at the store. If you get the seeds early, or if you save them yourself, then you need to store them in a cool dry place that is out of the way. We always kept our seeds that we saved or bought early in the butter keeper in the refrigerator. Perfect spot we always thought.
As for trying something different, I would suggest the "rag doll" method. You can take sheets of paper towel, lay them out, put your seeds to germinate in a row on the towel. Then wet the towel and stick the end in a glass with the non seeded end in the water to wick it up and keep the seeds moist. Then you can put them in the proper temperature area and be patient. Then when you check them after a week, you can carefully take the seeds off the wet towel and place it into the media. That stage is very fragile and tricky but with some good forceps and a lot of care you can put them into the cells of the plastic potting mix.
I don't know why one variety is especially difficult to germinate but it could be storage, handling when the seed was collected, or something we can't think happened to the seed lot that was shipped to the seed company. I do know that unusual seed has been saved for many years at just the right humidity and temperature and they grow and produce like you want them to do BUT that is after a lot of patience and proper care! Hope this helps you. Don
I also remember that using coffee filters to seive out the seeds is easier because they don't stick to the filter like they do to paper towels. Different texture.
So, maybe you didn't get them from your own tomatoes and just bought them from the rack at the store. If you get the seeds early, or if you save them yourself, then you need to store them in a cool dry place that is out of the way. We always kept our seeds that we saved or bought early in the butter keeper in the refrigerator. Perfect spot we always thought.
As for trying something different, I would suggest the "rag doll" method. You can take sheets of paper towel, lay them out, put your seeds to germinate in a row on the towel. Then wet the towel and stick the end in a glass with the non seeded end in the water to wick it up and keep the seeds moist. Then you can put them in the proper temperature area and be patient. Then when you check them after a week, you can carefully take the seeds off the wet towel and place it into the media. That stage is very fragile and tricky but with some good forceps and a lot of care you can put them into the cells of the plastic potting mix.
I don't know why one variety is especially difficult to germinate but it could be storage, handling when the seed was collected, or something we can't think happened to the seed lot that was shipped to the seed company. I do know that unusual seed has been saved for many years at just the right humidity and temperature and they grow and produce like you want them to do BUT that is after a lot of patience and proper care! Hope this helps you. Don
