Here here Brook I absolutely concure 100%!!!

I kept looking at that tomato in the baggie and saying gosh that slice Brook let me taste sure was delicious, and kept thinking gosh it's a darn shame to let that beautiful thing go to waste, and next thing you know I was grabbing it out of the baggie and gently removed every single seed onto a white napkin at the picnic table (campers were walking by or would drive by eye-balling me [hee-hee] like I was a crazy or something!) and then I rewarded all my patient effort by eating the whole thing!!! Gosh it was better than m-m-m good! I let the sun dry the seeds as I did not know what else to do. After they had completely dried I gently removed the seeds from the napkin and placed them into a clean baggie (one of the ones you snuck and got me) and I have them in the freezer safe guarded for next year!

Two things to be aware of.

1. Direct sunlight can be dangerous when drying or curing seeds and clones (such as garlic), because it can actually cook the item. Best bet, always, is warm but not in direct sun.

2. Your seed is not fully dried, even though it looked that way. Do not remove it from the freezer until you are ready to set seed, as the defrosting process can effect germination (condensation becomes a moisture source). And overset you seed greatly in case of point #1.

If you messed up, not to worry. Cherokee Purple seed is readily available. Meanwhile, I'm making inquiries about the Coer de Bleu.

I had send you the instructions for fermentation. An alternative some people use, however, is to spread the seed out on a paper towel or napkin, about an inch apart. When fully dried (two to three weeks) they cut the towel into squares, with a seed centered in each. Then they plant the whole thing. The bit of paper helps maintain moisture around the seed until it germinates.

The downside to that is that you are not removing the anti-germination compounds found in the gel coat. So germination can be low---sometimes less than 50%. So, again, you have to really over-plant to assure getting the number you want.

Thanks for the info. I had no idea the sun would actually cook the poor babies:( I think I will like the napkin method best. Even if I do have to plant more seed it just seems like I would have less bother and fuss that way and working full time leaves me no alternative but to try and accomplish as much as I can in as little time as possible. I am happy to learn I did not screw up those seeds. I was going to keep them frozen until next planting season, as I always freeze and re-use any seed that I do not use in one season for the next years garden. And Brook you know me I like to plant by Good Friday so they won't even be frozen a full year.