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View Full Version : relation between seeds and hardy bananas


bikoro child
01-07-2008, 11:51 AM
I noticed that all the hardy bananas plants(that i Know) have seeds in their bananas...Is there a relation?are there some hardy bananas whithout seeds?

Gabe15
01-07-2008, 12:00 PM
There are many species of wild, seeded bananas, most are not at all hardy. The reason you see the hardiest varieties with seeds is because the wild seeded species are very diverse and come from a wide range of climates, some come from areas with snow, while others come from the equatorial tropics, so we pick out the cold hardy ones from those. Edible (seedless) bananas however are derived from species that are mostly tropical, so you do not see as much hardiness in them. The wild species that are cold hardy have not had any genetic influence in the evolution and production of edible (seedless) bananas. Perhaps one day through breeding we can create really hardy edible bananas, but they donʻt quite exist yet.

inkcube
01-07-2008, 01:23 PM
there is no relation between seeds and hardiness, even though it may appear that way. plenty of non-hardy bananas have seeds.

51st state
01-07-2008, 03:33 PM
can someone please get to work on crossing a Helens Hybrid with a seedless variety. I just want to pop out in my back garden, pick a naner and eat it.

some hope.:eek:

Tropicallvr
01-08-2008, 10:01 PM
can someone please get to work on crossing a Helens Hybrid with a seedless variety. I just want to pop out in my back garden, pick a naner and eat it.

some hope.:eek:

I wonder what would be the best to cross it with?

dablo93
01-09-2008, 12:41 PM
musa basjoo is the hardiest banana, but doesn't have any seed;)

Bananaman88
01-09-2008, 01:21 PM
can someone please get to work on crossing a Helens Hybrid with a seedless variety. I just want to pop out in my back garden, pick a naner and eat it.

some hope.:eek:

I'm kicking myself now for not staying in college and getting my Masters in Plant Breeding like I had thought about because I'd love to work on a project like that! My wife does plant breeding work and it can be monotonous at times. Trust me, I've helped on countless projects. I can't imagine getting bored working with bananas, though!

Gabe15
01-09-2008, 01:23 PM
musa basjoo is the hardiest banana, but doesn't have any seed;)

Yes it does, when pollinated. People often only have one flowering at a time, or do not bother with pollination. Wild banana species, just like pretty much all other flowering plants (with a few exceptions) produce seed through pollination. If it is not pollinated it will not form any seed, but the fruit will also not develop.

bikoro child
01-09-2008, 01:27 PM
Is it possible to freeze pollen for crossing 2 bananas?

Gabe15
01-09-2008, 01:40 PM
Is it possible to freeze pollen for crossing 2 bananas?

For a hobbyist, it only lasts about 3 days in refrigeration, I would doubt freezing would have a significant impact unless in a deep freeze, but I donʻt recall ever seeing any experiments with deep freezing of pollen, Iʻm sure its been done, perhaps someone else has seen an article.

bikoro child
01-09-2008, 01:49 PM
thanks ,i was thinking it would be helpful when the 2 bananas aren't blooming in the same time...