View Full Version : When should I get started?
caliboy1994
09-10-2011, 12:25 AM
Hey all! I think I want to get some seeded bananas growing for next season, particularly M. Velutina and M. Itinerans 'Gigantea.' When should I get started? It's September now and growing season here in SoCal starts in April. I don't know how long these seeds take to sprout, but I know for some species it can be months. When I plant them in the early growing season I want them to be decent size but not too big, just big enough so that they can get established easily. Any recommendations as to when I should get started? Thanks!
jmoore
09-10-2011, 02:19 AM
Start now as there's no knowing how long the seeds will take to sprout, if at all.
caliboy1994
09-10-2011, 02:39 PM
I'll order the seeds ASAP then.
caliboy1994
09-10-2011, 02:42 PM
And how many seeds should I buy if I'm only looking to have one or two of each plant in my yard? I'm not experienced with germinating.
sunfish
09-10-2011, 02:58 PM
And how many seeds should I buy if I'm only looking to have one or two of each plant in my yard? I'm not experienced with germinating.
10 0f each
caliboy1994
09-10-2011, 03:09 PM
10 0f each
Alright, that should be pretty cheap. I'll buy those. Thanks!
varig8
09-10-2011, 05:04 PM
My first thoughts on this was; Why do you want to start them from seed? If its just for the fun of starting from seed and watching them grow, then great! It can be very rewarding. Although with Musa seed, its a bit of a gamble, so don't be too disappointed if things dont turn out as you might expect.
Lots of variables are in play here, i.e., viability, and obtaining fresh seed, time variants, as well as particulars involving the treatment of seed (if any) to be planted.
If its just that you would like to have these certain Musa in your collection, then forgo all of this seed sprouting business and just purchase the size you prefer and get them going straight away. Neither of these types are expensive or hard to obtain. I've gone both routes over the years and have been successful with only a handful of the seeded varieties. Its been so much easier to purchase freshly dug suckers, or already established and potted plants. Once they are in the ground and even minimally cared for, they grow rapidly under most circumstances. The Velutina, as with most of the erect flowering ornamentals, produce suckers profusely and you will have an excess very quickly compared to many other Musa types! Then you will have tons of seed to play with and try out different methods of seed treatment for germination.
caliboy1994
09-10-2011, 05:35 PM
I know it would be better to obtain suckers, but the problem is I live in California, a state that has lots of plant importing restrictions. In fact, it's more of a plant quarantine. :eek: It would be really tough to get live plants to my house from out of state because of these restrictions. If I'm going to get live plants, I have to get them from someone who lives in California. This is why I originally thought I should start them from seed, because I should have no problem getting seeds from out of state. But if there's anyone in California who has these I'd be happy to get live plants instead. But if I'm getting live plants I have to wait until next growing season. Let me know if you know anyone who has these! :D
Olafhenny
09-10-2011, 06:58 PM
I know it would be better to obtain suckers, but the problem is I live in California, a state that has lots of plant importing restrictions. In fact, it's more of a plant quarantine.
California has a very important fruit and agriculture industry on which it depends for much of its GDP.
Therefore it is quite understandable, that it has strict import restriction on plants. However bananas are
not exactly a cash crop in CA, nor are any of your cash crops related to bananas.
Accordingly I wonder if you ever have enquired about bananas specifically?
Olaf
sunfish
09-10-2011, 07:09 PM
I know it would be better to obtain suckers, but the problem is I live in California, a state that has lots of plant importing restrictions. In fact, it's more of a plant quarantine. :eek: It would be really tough to get live plants to my house from out of state because of these restrictions. If I'm going to get live plants, I have to get them from someone who lives in California. This is why I originally thought I should start them from seed, because I should have no problem getting seeds from out of state. But if there's anyone in California who has these I'd be happy to get live plants instead. But if I'm getting live plants I have to wait until next growing season. Let me know if you know anyone who has these! :D
.ou can get tc plants from outside California,
caliboy1994
09-11-2011, 05:48 PM
Oh really? I didn't know that. I guess I'll be looking for some next spring :P
varig8
09-11-2011, 07:18 PM
Try these guys, they have lots of Musa Varieties. They are in San Diego. ENCANTO FARMS NURSERY (http://encantofarms.com/orders.html)
caliboy1994
09-11-2011, 07:39 PM
Perfect! Over 60 varieties! I'm sure they'll have most of the ones that I want.
caliboy1994
09-11-2011, 07:44 PM
California has a very important fruit and agriculture industry on which it depends for much of its GDP.
Therefore it is quite understandable, that it has strict import restriction on plants. However bananas are
not exactly a cash crop in CA, nor are any of your cash crops related to bananas.
Accordingly I wonder if you ever have enquired about bananas specifically?
Olaf
I have actually asked the Department of Agriculture. They said that they can't ship bananas from out of state because of a few diseases that they can carry. So I had to wait until a nearby nursery got some.
caliboy1994
09-11-2011, 08:10 PM
Looks like they have all the edible varieties I'll ever need! :eek: But I didn't see any ornamentals, and I'm going to be wanting a few of those. I'm sure some people here in CA have some velutina and 'Gigantea' pups though.
sandy0225
09-12-2011, 01:27 PM
I can ship to california even though I'm in Indiana, but I have to send the plants barerooted and washed clean of soil. I have to include my nursery dealers license number on the outside of the box, how many and what kind of plants they are. And write ok to open for ag inspection on the box too.
Bananas are no problem to get through. But peppers and tomatoes are practically impossible.
caliboy1994
09-12-2011, 03:45 PM
Ok, I'll take a look at your site and see what you've got. I already know who I'm getting my edible varieties from, though.
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