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island cassie
04-19-2007, 12:02 PM
The balsa tree across the road from me is sending its seeds all over the place at the moment. If anybody would like some - pm me your address and I'll post them. The tree has interesting leaves and big white flowers, and the super-light wood beloved of modellers.

the flying dutchman
04-24-2007, 11:00 AM
Cassie, I wished I could grow that tree overhere but after some research
I came to the conclusion it is impossible. It seems to need a lot of warmth and
humidity.
Well, so I have to forget building my own wooden airplane.

Thanks

Ron

island cassie
04-24-2007, 11:40 AM
Yes Ron. Both England and the Netherlands have similar weather. But with global warming......who knows? Or perhaps a move to the Netherlands Antilles? But I have to tell you it has been wet and windy for the last 2 days, and the Dominicans have hats and coats on - 76f/24c and 79% humidity.

the flying dutchman
04-24-2007, 11:51 AM
Do you think it can stand some frost cassie?

Ron

island cassie
04-24-2007, 12:54 PM
Been trying to Google it to find out - but no real luck. Why don't I send you some seeds and see how you go?

the flying dutchman
04-24-2007, 01:40 PM
Thanks Cassie, that is really great. PM-send.

the flying dutchman
06-12-2007, 09:03 AM
Thanks Cassie for the seeds who arrived today, especially considering all the
trouble you had getting them out of the country. And you even paid for the
shipping costs. You are a real mate.
I will update the thread when i succeed in germinating them.

Ron

MediaHound
06-12-2007, 09:09 AM
That was nice of you, Carol!
kudos!

island cassie
06-12-2007, 01:10 PM
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=3421&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=3421&ppuser=628)

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=3422&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=3422&ppuser=628)

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=3423&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=3423&ppuser=628)

Sorry for the shots that are blurred - have to practise taking pictures up trees!! This is the tree that I got seeds from in April, and it is coming into flower again. Thanks to some tips from Ron, I might get a better germination rate this time.

the flying dutchman
06-17-2007, 02:18 PM
It is incredible. The seeds came all the way from the dominican republic to the netherlands. And look what happened a week after arrival.
The start of my Balsa-forest. Okay, okay, I know i have a long way to go..but though.

Thanks Cassie

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=3617&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=3617)

island cassie
06-17-2007, 04:53 PM
Haha!! I have to hand it to you Ron - you have a golden touch. Before you know it you will be looking for a machete!!

Cassie

AnnaJW
06-18-2007, 12:24 AM
That's great Ron! Congrats!
Nice pictures Cassie!

MediaHound
06-18-2007, 02:40 AM
Haha!! I have to hand it to you Ron - you have a golden touch. Before you know it you will be looking for a machete!!

Cassie

A machete and an exacto knife!

the flying dutchman
06-18-2007, 05:22 AM
A machete and an exacto knife!

And glue

MediaHound
06-18-2007, 06:34 PM
:abajo:

bigdog
06-18-2007, 06:47 PM
Hey Ron, did you just heat up a pot of water on the stove or something? I'm trying to think if I have a thermometer for that, but don't think I do. Maybe just set it on medium for 20 minutes?? My seeds are just screaming to me to hurry up and get started germinating them! :2726:

the flying dutchman
06-18-2007, 07:08 PM
Frank, I boiled the water to the cooking point, then i waited about a 5 minutes and thought it would be 80 degrees celsius less or more. I turned the heat off. They should be in for 20 minutes but i had forgotten them and they were in longer.
I won't say they would not sprout without this method but it worked for me.

Ron

bigdog
06-18-2007, 07:23 PM
Thanks, Ron. I'll give it a try tonight.

the flying dutchman
06-18-2007, 07:27 PM
Frank, I have forgotten to say that i gave my perrieri seeds the same treatment a few days ago, it seems to be a way to break dormancy.
Not that I have much confidence in those seeds anymore, if this does not works I throw them away soon.

Ron

bigdog
06-18-2007, 09:54 PM
I still have some E. perrieri seeds that are in the bag they came in. I've actually entertained the idea of cold-stratifying them, even though it is said that this is not recommended for most banana seeds. Works for Musella, which is more closely related to Ensete than Musa. Can't hurt to try. I wouldn't throw them out though, Ron. They can stay viable for many years.

island cassie
11-21-2007, 11:10 AM
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=6838&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=6838)

Here are the balsa seedlings that I planted earlier - now about 15" tall.

the flying dutchman
11-21-2007, 11:21 AM
Beautiful healthy plants Cassie, I did something wrong after they sprouted
but don't know what. maybe I should have kept them in a propagator
with high humidity until they were larger or I replanted them to fast.


:o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o



Ron

island cassie
11-21-2007, 11:26 AM
Thanks! I left mine for quite a while before I potted them on (busy doing other things) and it is always humid here - generally 65-82%.