seed cleaning

Bill in SC · Post by **Bill in SC** » Wed Jun 17, 2009 2:00 pm

Many of my Echinopsis pods are being harvested now. What is the best and most efficient method to removed the seeds from the gooey mass they are encassed in? Last time I did it, I remember it being very time consuming, and I was lookin' for better ideas.

Bill in SC

Ocotillo · Post by **Ocotillo** » Wed Jun 17, 2009 2:15 pm

Hi Bill

I don't know if this is the best way, but I soak the gooey ball in a bowl of water for a day or so until the goo disolves and then pour everything through a piece of cloth.

Tony · Post by **Tony** » Wed Jun 17, 2009 2:16 pm

Dont know what you have been doing or if this is the most efficiant way of doing it, but I have been squishing the seed filled pulp into a stack of 2 or 3 paper towels with a finger.
Then gently scrape the seeds off the paper towels with a plastic scraper, most of the pulp will be trapped in the paper, then rinse them in a large cup of water. Next pour out almost all the water, leaving a small amount of water and the seeds. Then pour the water and seeds onto another stack of paper towels to dry. Whatever pulp is left over will be absorbed by the towel and when dry will stick to it.
Works for me.

Bill in SC · Post by **Bill in SC** » Wed Jun 17, 2009 2:19 pm

That's kinda what I did last time, but rather than soaking it for a day, I just rinsed and rinsed through a coffee filter. Your idea of letting it dissolve seems much simpler. One question though. letting the seeds soak a day or two, wouldn't that make the seeds swell and proned to germinate right then? I want to sow them this fall, and keep them under lights this winter.

Bill in SC

birdguy34 · Post by **birdguy34** » Wed Jun 17, 2009 3:55 pm

For larger gooey Tricho fruits I have left them soak in water for at least three days without any sprouting, although this may not be good for some genera(Hylocereus?). I find that if the goo starts to break down and kind of ferment, that it will just turn to chaff when dried on papertowels and can be carefully blown off the seeds when everything is crunched up and removed from the towel.
Chris

ihc6480 · Post by **ihc6480** » Thu Jun 18, 2009 12:14 am

What, nobody uses a blender

For seperating the gooey stuff on opuntia seeds I put them in a blender with water then hit the button a couple times to mix things up. All the viable seed settle to the bottom and all the junk floats to the top.

Silenus · Post by **Silenus** » Thu Jun 18, 2009 3:40 am

I do it all by hand.

Loph · Post by **Loph** » Thu Jun 18, 2009 2:11 pm

i use those screen sifter/mesh things for cooking. mush the seed up a lot and the pulp once small goes through the holes and the seeds dont. once i get rid of the bulk i chuck em all in water and collect the seeds at the bottom like above

I have left them soak in water for at least three days without any sprouting, although this may not be good for some genera(Hylocereus?).

correct. i had a plate of hylo seeds just drying under light, and half germinated

i personally dont like the idea of soaking for that reason. but sure many species can handle it.