You should do something usefull with your free time!!!!!

Baci,
You might try collecting the seeds as some do tomato seeds. They put the pulp in water and let it ferment a few days to break down the surrounding pulp. Then pour off the scum from the top, add more water, repeat, until you have pure seeds at the bottom with a little water. Pour out on a plate to finish drying. Don't put on a paper towel as the seeds may stick.

I've planted a couple of persistent caprifigs, so I'll be able to play at hand pollinating one day. True, in breeding work, one comes up with mainly duds, but that's just part of it. Other than the few figs coming out of the breeding programs of Condit and Rourke, most figs varieties have been merely selections from wild seedlings.

Any place that sells wine making supplies will carry pectic enzyme (pectinase). Add a few drops to any pulp containing seeds, and the pulp will breakdown in 2-3 days. You can then easily rinse the seeds clean with water.

Many Ficus species can cross hybridize. However, the fig wasps may be species specific, and hand-pollination may be required for this to work.

AHAA! So that is how tomato seeds are cleaned, thanks...
See, more good stuff/info is coming out of this FF.

Last year, I did clean some fig seeds from DRIED ones
(just for the sake of seeing a F. Carica seedling).
I put the insides in a tea strainer and ran water to
clean while rubbing the seeds with my finger tips.
Guess that the dried goo that surrounds the seeds is
much easier to clean than the fresh 'jelly-like' pulp.
Had no problems at all.
George (NJ).

Gene,
Your method of cleaning tomatoe seeds really works!
I tried it and now have some of the cleanest seeds.
Wish my dad was still alive, he would have had a real kick
from all this. He passed away when I was a young teenager.
Still remember him scrubbing his famous heirloom tomatoe
seeds between burlap layers to get rid of that pulpy stuff!
By the way, his tomatoes were a huge 'dry' Roma type with
minimum seeds (and moisture) and were considered BEST for
paste (or similar), but not as a general table use.
Have not seen anything like it for a looong time,
guess it is gone now too...
George (NJ).

Baci,

Just out of curiosity, which trees do you grow? I'm interested in doing the same! Also, how did you germinate them, and how long did it take? Thanks!

~ Erin

Gorgi i think i might know what large romas he might of been growing. I was introduced to this variety this year as i have been interested in growing heirloom tomatoes this year. And was given seeds from a roma tomato called "ROMEO" this is an open pollinated variety and i was given this 2 pound monster romeo in which is a roma and some are like 2.5-3 possibly and i cut it to get some seeds and there was 10 seeds in this huge tomato. This seems to represent the description very well and hope it helps. IF you are interested in some let me know i can most definately get you some.

http://www.downtowntomatoes.com/archives/tomatofreaks.jpg

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:817581}}

I did not get e-mails from this post, but I thank you for your comments. I ended trying to ferment some as gene_washdcand suggested, & it helped a bit.
I understand your opinion, herman2.
Thanks, kiwinut for your information on cross pollination.
erin_g, I grew an unidentified edible and strangler fig previously from seed. My seed cleaning method before was to start with a very dry pod, remove the seeds & simply plant them. They are still seedlings. I am presently trying to grow budda ficus & Banyans. I am simply experimenting, so I appreciate all the feedback regarding the drawbacks of growing figs from seed.