Experienced hobby gardeners are not irritated by the poor selection of seeds and fresh produce on the market. You can easily propagate old, new and rare tomato varieties yourself. This is how it works with seeds and cuttings.

Collect and sow seeds yourself

The fully ripe fruits of seed-proof tomato varieties contain an abundance of suitable seeds for sowing. Immediately after harvesting, the tomato seeds undergo natural fermentation to preserve their ability to germinate. To do this, spoon the seeds and the pulp into a container and pour water over the mixture. Covered with cling film, the gelatinous shell dissolves and releases the seeds.

After the tomato seeds have dried, they are stored in a container or in paper bags in a cool, dark place.

Sowing starts in mid-February

Since cultivation behind glass makes sense in the local climate, the self-harvested tomato seeds are used from mid-February. How to proceed with sowing:

  • soak the seeds in warm chamomile tea for 6 hours
  • Fill the seed tray or pot two-thirds full with peat sand, seed compost or coconut fiber
  • Put the seeds 0.5 centimeters deep into the substrate at a distance of 3 centimeters and moisten

At a constant temperature of 18 to 24 degrees in the partially shaded window seat, the average germination time is 10 to 14 days. The seedlings are pricked out when the second or third true pair of leaves has developed.

Propagating tomatoes with cuttings

Many a hobby gardener's heart bleeds when he disposes of the healthy stinging shoots on the compost. Simply use the plant material to propagate cuttings. Thats how it works:

  • after pinching out, sort out the strongest shoots
  • Fill small pots with airy, loose vegetable soil
  • Plant two-thirds of a cutting in it
  • place in the greenhouse or in a partially shaded, sheltered place in the garden

At temperatures of 20 to 25 degrees Celsius, the converted stinging shoots are kept constantly moist. After a week, roots have already formed. Now the young tomato plants are allowed into the sun and are cared for like adult specimens.

tips and tricks

Tomato seeds soaked in diluted garlic juice prove to be significantly more resistant to mold infestation during sowing. If the smell bothers you too much, add a pinch of fine rock dust (14.13€) or charcoal ash.

Category:

Vegetable garden