AllenF

I am waiting for my first banana seeds, M. velutina and M. helen's hybrid to be delivered. I am not getting enough seed to experiment with and have questions for the experienced germinators.

Why only nick the seed with a file? I have had the most success with my palms scraping the seed coating off of about 25% of the seed.

If I nick the seed coating should I also be germinating the seed with unsterilized compost material added to the vermiculite?

Should I be adding unsterilized compost material to the potting mix that I use after germination?

From what I have read here and elsewhere I plan to do the following to assist germination:
-Nick or scrape the seed
-Soak for 3 days
-germinate in translucent sealed plastic containers with moist vermiculite 1 seed length below the surface
-provide bottom heat 30-35 C for 16 hrs days and leave at room temp(18 C) nights
-provide insulated top cover to keep heat in.
-provide light from a wall plug 'night light'.
-remove from containers after germination and pot in 16 oz/500ml disposable glasses with 75% potting mix, 25% perlite.

Thanks in advance for your assistance.

Allen

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You don't have to be crazy to grow Bananas in Alberta, but it helps