How to Harvest Bell Pepper Seeds
- 1). Wait until your bell peppers have fully matured before you pick them for the seeds. Do this by waiting until the end of the grow season (before the first frost) and then select healthy looking bells that display the color, such as red or yellow, that they are supposed to be. If you do not wait, the peppers are going to be too immature and do not produce viable seeds.
- 2). Cut the bottom of the bell pepper off with a knife to expose the fleshy cone shape that holds the seeds inside. Continue using the knife to detach the ribs (usually three) that attach the cone to the pepper and then use your fingers to hold the top of the cone and gently pull it out.
- 3). Place a paper towel down and use the knife to scrape off the seeds that surround the cone. When finished, inspect the seeds and clean off any cone debris that may still be attached.
- 4). Position the bell pepper seeds on a plate and place them in a warm, dry area, such as above a radiator, to allow them to dry for a few days. Turn the seeds every couple of days to allow the moisture to evaporate evenly from both sides of the seed.
- 5). Label an envelope to identify the bell pepper and place the seeds inside. Use a plastic storage container with a lid to seal this envelope inside and then place the container inside a freezer until you want to use your harvested bell pepper seeds. The cold of the freezer allows the seeds to hibernate and retain their energy until needed.
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