Here is a link to the FAQ on how to save tomato seeds over on the Seed Saving forum here. You'll also find FAQs there on how to store your seeds.

Keep in mind that if this was a hybrid variety then it most likely will not breed true from seeds. Only open-pollinated varieties of fruits will reproduce the same.

If you search 'grape tomato' here you'll find discussions on the different varieties of grape tomatoes.

Dave

Here is a link that might be useful: How to save tomato seeds FAQ

First, if you bought them no doubt they were hybrid and saved seeds from almost all hybrids do not come true when planted out. However if they were Santa Sweets then you have a chance.

No need to sun dry them. Just cut open a few of the ripe ones, squeeze out the seeds to wax paper or something they won't stick to and let them dry. Normally I'd suggest doing a lot more with them such as getting the gel capsules off and fermenting the seed, but with just a few seeds I don't think it's worthwhie.

Dried seeds can last a long time but I get the impression being in NW FL that you want to start them soon for a Fall planting. And the good news is you can just take the seeds out of some fruits and go ahead and plant them and you don't have to do anything to them.

But again, seeds from most store bought grape tomatoes are hybrids and so don't come true from saved seeds, but do look to see if the pint had Santa Sweets on it and if so your chance of getting seeds that grow true is 99/100.

In terms of starting seeds if you haven't done it before just go to the top of this first page, click on the FAQ's and scroll down to the article about starting seeds. it's pretty detailed and if these are the only seeds you're going to sow then what's said there can be greatly simplified.

just let me/us know and I/we can simplify it for you.

Carolyn

Hello surfpnsbch,

The grape tomatoes that you purchased may not grow true to type if they are hybrid tomatoes (many that are sold in stores are hybrid.) There are some store bought tomatoes that will grow true to type, but the only one I know of for sure is the "Santa Sweets" variety.

You are of course, welcome to try saving the seeds, they might come true, but modern hybrids have several parent lines and the seeds could revert to any of them and not be the tasty one you saved for. But they might not be bad either. That's half the fun.

If you know they are an heirloom or open pollinated variety, then you are set as they are most likely to grow true to type unless they have been crossed.

If you are saving just a few, you may want to just dry them on a plate or paper towel without fermenting. A better option would be to clean them in a strainer with a disinfectant cleanser. I've linked to Wintersown.org's flyer on saving tomato seeds that way. (The point of the ferment in the article on how to save tomato seeds from the seed saving forum below is to not only break down the germination inhibiting gel around the seeds, but to reduce the pathogens that might be on the seeds.)

As to how long saved seeds last, a lot depends on the storage methods. There are several people on the forums who have been able to germinate seeds that are more than 10 years old (I have) and I believe Carolyn137 (Carolyn Male) has germinated some much older than that. In general though, most of us try to save fresh seeds every 3-5 years since fresher seeds will germinate better.

Hope that helps.

Betsy

Here is a link that might be useful: How to Save Tomato Seeds using disinfectant cleanser

Carolyn beat me to it while I was typing!

Betsy