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Anyone got any bright ideas for this? I've been cleaning tomato seed by squeezing it into a jar, leaving it till it starts to go mouldy, then washing it, but I don't know whether the same method works for anything else. I've got some dragon arum berries I'd like to make available for swaps (I'll be putting the toms up when I've cleaned some more), but I don't know how to do these.

QuoteCleaning seed
« on: Yesterday at 13:12:29 » 

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Anyone got any bright ideas for this? I've been cleaning tomato seed by squeezing it into a jar, leaving it till it starts to go mouldy, then washing it, but I don't know whether the same method works for anything else. I've got some dragon arum berries I'd like to make available for swaps (I'll be putting the toms up when I've cleaned some more), but I don't know how to do these.

Hope his helps. Its from the internet. Web address bellow.

Cleaning seeds on a small scale requires  a series of sieves or a small fan and a couple of trays.
I purchased stainless steel mesh (12" x 12" pieces) in eleven sizes from the local industrial supply house.  In terms of the number of squares per inch, I have the following sizes: 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 24 and 30.  #4 is the most useful size for beans, while #30 is suitable for very small seed like Begonias. Careful collection techniques will minimize the cleaning chore.  As a general rule, for each type of seed, you will need three sieves.  First, run the seeds through the sieve whose holes are just larger than your largest seed; that will clear away the large chaff from the seed.  Next run the seed through the sieve whose holes will pass 95% of the seeds; that will clear away the smaller debris.  Next run the seed against the sieve whose holes are smaller than your smallest seed; that will clear away the dust.   Any chaff that remains is the same size as the seed.  If the quantity of chaff remaining is objectionable, switch to the fan method for the last step.  To use the fan method, simply pour the seed from one tray to another with air flowing through the space between the trays. Start at some distance from the fan so that the chaff will be blown away rather than the seed. Gradually move closer to the fan as you pour the seeds through the air stream until you are satisfied with the result. The seed loss possible with the fan method is unlimited, unless you take care and work slowly.

Another method that works well for me, especially for small seeds equipped with a plumelike pappus (parasails) such as Aster, Eupatorium, and Solidago, is to rub the collection against the surface of a #18 screen and then a #30 screen.  This separates the seeds from the parasails quickly. The resulting chaff is the same size as the seeds, but of lighter weight.  Whenever you have seeds and chaff so small as to prohibit the fan method of separating chaff, use a vibration box.  Any rigid tray will do, but metal is probably best as it is less likely to accumulate static charges which can be annoying. I polish my plastic trays and tubs used for seed processing with an aerosol anti-static spray several times each season to remove static. Alternately throw the mess against the far wall of the tray or tap on the sides.  The seeds will accumulate at the bottom while the lighter chaff will continuously migrate upward towards the far wall.

Throughout the seed cleaning process, keep in mind that your objective is to separate as much debris as possible, but within reason.  If you lose 5% of the oversize seed and 5% of the undersized seed, your methods are probably consistent with the economical use of your time and energy. One of my favorite tools is a pharmaceutical pill counter, not for counting seeds, but for pouring seeds into small envelopes. Since these are promotional items given to pharmacies by the drug companies, your local pharmacy should have several to spare.
Web Address http://tomclothier.hort.net/page28.html

Also a interesting website for saving seeds
http://www.victoryseeds.com/information/save_seeds.html

Also try these results from google search
http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=cleaning+seeds&meta=


The_Snail

Thanks. I'll try the tomato technique.