Strange thing from the Supermarket.

[scotexpat]

I bought some Vine Tomato's from my local Supermarket and I thought I would have one with my Lunch Today. Imagine my surprise when I cut it open to find that it was full of sprouting seeds, some with 4 little leaves. I have never seen this before,it is unusual to say the least. If I plant them can I expect viable Tomato Plants?

 

[Chickie'sMomaInNH]

do you know if the tomato you bought were organic? i think if the seeds were sprouting they are definitely viable!

 

[digitS']

I did a little research on this a couple years ago when I notice the same thing.

Experienced tomato growers/seed savers said that it happens frequently.

Of course, you won't know if these were from hybrid plants so there's no guarantee about what will grow from the seeds.

Steve

 

[journey11]

I've seen tomato seeds like that before, although not quite as sprouted as yours! Mostly in overripe tomatoes. That's surprising for a supermarket tomato since those are usually picked green. Sure, go ahead and plant them. It will be a fun science experiment if nothing else.

 

[Holachicka]

Oh!! You should plant them and keep us posted! I'd love to know what you get!

 

[Greenthumb18]

Yeah I say plant them too, you never know you might get one to grow into a tomato plant. I've never seen this with tomatoes but I have with bell peppers a few times.

 

[hoodat]

That often happens if they have been stored for a while under gasses they use to hold back decay or they have been a while in transport.

 

[digitS']

Wait a minute! They gas them to hold back decay?

They gas them so they won't ripen too soon and/or gas them so they ripen on cue?

Ding, dang food industry!!!!

S' !

 

[silkiechicken]

Nitrogen FTW. Just squirt some Ethylene on them before shipping out.

 

[chris09]

Carbon dioxide gas (CO2) will delay fruit ripening by lowering the concentration of ethylene. CO2 affects ethylene synthesis, which is central to fruit ripening.

Ethylene can promote ripening in tomatoes, bananas, citrus, pineapples, dates, persimmons, pears, apples, melons, mangos, avocados, papayas and jujubes - a clear indication that the action of ethylene is general and widespread amongst a number of fruits.

Chris