[yankieGirl]

Heritage cucumbers.  I accidentally allowed one to become huge and so ripe it was orange.  I figured it would have the most mature seeds (if that even matters) so I cut it open stripped the seeds and rinsed them best I could.

Now what?  Do I just let them dry and store for next year?

Thanks!

[pgkevet]

Since that's what you've done then allow the seeds to dry properly and then store in a dry jar.
Correct preparation method is to scoop the seeds with some pulp then chuck in a jamjar of water and allow to ferment for 2-3 days before cleaning up. drying and storing.

[Dan]

Found this on the Univeristy of Illinois site:

Seed contained in fleshy fruits should be cleaned using the wet method. Tomatoes, melons, squash, cucumber and roses are prepared this way. Scoop the seed masses out of the fruit or lightly crush fruits. Put the seed mass and a small amount of warm water in a bucket or jar. Let the mix ferment for two to four days. Stir daily. The fermentation process kills viruses and separates the good seed from the bad seed and fruit pulp. After two to four days, the good viable seeds will sink to the bottom of the container while the pulp and bad seed float. Pour off the pulp, water, bad seed and mold. Spread the good seed on a screen or paper towel to dry.

Seeds must be stored dry. Place in glass jar or envelopes. Make sure you label all the containers or packages with the seed type or variety, and date. Put in the freezer for two days to kill pests. Then store in a cool dry location like a refrigerator. Seed that molds was not sufficiently dry before storage.

HTH.

(oops, beaten to it!)

[Hermit]

Very interesting, I was pondering how to collect seed from courgettes .I presume its the same.

[yankieGirl]

Hey, thanks!  I wondered how you got the "snot" off each seed.

I do have another really ripe one (I forget to check the vines as I should.  It is amazing how they go from small half hotdog size to massive over grown ...something).  I will try this fermentation process.

? do the cukes have to be really mature or am I making a false assumption?

[pgkevet]

......

? do the cukes have to be really mature or am I making a false assumption?

Correct for a good seed recovery....but some of these cucumber/melon things have a mix of mature to juvenile seeds earlier on.

[northfifeduckling]

one rule in the seed saving handbook says on cucurbits that if you put the collected seed in water the ripe ones sink to the ground , the floaters you can throw away as they are not going to germinate. I hope I remember this in the right order as I can't find the book this minute... Good luck!