This question comes from my allotment guru, who has successfully grown tomatoes from seed he's kept from previously grown fruit. The plants from his seed have been good, but the seeds he's used have been covered in the 'slime' - how do seed suppliers dry them? I assured him someone on here would know ;)
You have 2 experts - at least - wait for it!
But make sure your toms aren't F1s = Tim
I can't remember where, but I read something that for tomato (and potato) seeds, the fruit should be left to ferment for a little while to help destroy any nasties...
My dad would store tomato seeds in kitchen roll.
I did the same as your Dad Mia. I left the tomatoe in a dry bit on the greehouse shelf for a few weeks. Then I washed the seeds and put them on some kitchen roll to dry. Only prob was when they dried they had all stuck to the kitchen roll ::) Had to scrape them off with my nails.. so inadvertantly planted some kitchen roll too :-[ Never mind they all grew and are thriving.
Forgotten why we can't use F1 seeds. Please enlighten. I've saved some seed from some rather tasty (bought) toms by smearing the tom onto kitchen paper. It's now dry and stored with my other seeds.
Because they are unlikely to come 'true'. = Tim
Thanks everyone - I'll pass this info on (and any more that arrives) :)