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MBindy2000
11-03-2016, 09:12 AM
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=60816&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=60816)http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=60815&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=60815)http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=60817&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=60817)

I bought these on line back in September and planted them nearly a month ago. I believe it was Oct 9th, anyway, I did the suggested germination of soaking the seeds in warm water for 48 hours. Made a nice soil that drains well. I thought I would use this jiffy planter and put it in front of the south window. I fill the bottom of the tray with warm water to about a quarter inch. The top or cover of the tray gets a ton of condensation on it, so I know its green housing, however, nothing has grown. Last year I grew seeds using pots and plastic bags. I planted ten only got three. This time I have several planted and nothing so far. I know I should be patience. Each seed was planted with the little circle going up. Anyway, anybody have any advice for me? Thank you

Darkman
11-03-2016, 08:50 PM
Hope they do something for you. I recently planted 142 one gallon pots with Kaki seed. Not one came up so I'll try again in January.

MBindy2000
11-04-2016, 06:50 AM
Hope they do something for you. I recently planted 142 one gallon pots with Kaki seed. Not one came up so I'll try again in January.

I wonder if I planted them too early. IF I would have waited until January I would have gotten more intense sun from the window where as now the sun seems lower.

beam2050
11-04-2016, 09:41 AM
the itinerans, those are the bananas that grow 40 ft. tall?

MBindy2000
11-05-2016, 08:17 AM
the itinerans, those are the bananas that grow 40 ft. tall?

Do they? that would be cool, but my unfortunate is two things. One I am not sure if theses seeds are even growing. Two, if they do, I will interrupt their cycle of life because I will have to cut them back every fall.

I was looking for size in the seeds I bought. I want stuff that is tall for my garden. But not sure if I will have to dig these up when it comes to winterizing them if they aren't cold hardy. I guess first I need to hope they grow or buy more seeds and start over.

MBindy2000
11-05-2016, 08:26 AM
Hope they do something for you. I recently planted 142 one gallon pots with Kaki seed. Not one came up so I'll try again in January.

Is Kaki a type of banana? I see that people call the bananas by their easy generic name and then I see them using the scientific names. I guess I need to broaden my banana vocabulary HA

Did you do any kind of germination for your seeds? I enjoy planting things and seeds and seeing them grow, but also getting tired of getting burned too. I bought some bamboo seeds. they gave me 200 seeds in packet for cheap, only one grew and a chipmunk took care of that.

Darkman
11-05-2016, 12:31 PM
They were soaked for 24 hrs and then cold stratified for 67 days before planting two seed to a pot in compost as reccomended by the seed supplier. Pots,were kept in shade at normal Summer temps and were not allowed to dry out or get too wet. Hardware cloth covered the pots to keep animals from getting in. The pots were sitting on plywood which was lifted off the ground by concrete blocks to prevent anything from entering the bottom of the pots.

KAKI is Asian Persimmon. I was just commiserating with him on the no germination!

Jose263
11-05-2016, 07:08 PM
[IMG]

I bought these on line back in September and planted them nearly a month ago. I believe it was Oct 9th, anyway, I did the suggested germination of soaking the seeds in warm water for 48 hours. Made a nice soil that drains well. I thought I would use this jiffy planter and put it in front of the south window. I fill the bottom of the tray with warm water to about a quarter inch. The top or cover of the tray gets a ton of condensation on it, so I know its green housing, however, nothing has grown. . Anyway, anybody have any advice for me? Thank you

MB -Are you using a heat pad under the tray? - i didn't see one in the photos. What temp is the soil in the pots?
I have grown only velutina from seed collected from ripe fruit - I scarified the seeds with a nail file before planting to speed up germination but, that probably wasn't necessary. I did use a heat source and later a light source after seed sprouted. Only one month seems a short timeframe. But, if
curiosity wins over patience, you could unearth one of the seeds and look for signs of growth - just be gentle.
Good luck

MBindy2000
11-06-2016, 10:12 AM
MB -Are you using a heat pad under the tray? - i didn't see one in the photos. What temp is the soil in the pots?
I have grown only velutina from seed collected from ripe fruit - I scarified the seeds with a nail file before planting to speed up germination but, that probably wasn't necessary. I did use a heat source and later a light source after seed sprouted. Only one month seems a short timeframe. But, if
curiosity wins over patience, you could unearth one of the seeds and look for signs of growth - just be gentle.
Good luck

No I don't have a heat pad, but thinking about getting one. I'm really am a beginner at bananas(growing seeds). I have grown what seedman call a giant nepal banana and have a thread on that. Out of ten seeds only three made it and grew very nice. I figured with my method or got lucky I could get at least a quarter of these seeds to grow. Soil Temperature, I really couldn't tell you what it is, although, I would imagine if the there is a lot of condensation on top of the lid then its somewhat warm. I'll assume at night things get cool without the suns heat it has received during the day. The soil is firm and moist, not soaking wet. IF I do unearth the seeds how do I go about starting over? I guess if the seed is soft and mushy then its cashed? Should I start over with new soil or just put the seed back and keep waiting? I have a good idea of what to look for or I think I do :). Anyway, its just hard to find patience, so I'll go over to amazon and look up heat pads, HA Thank you

Jose263
11-06-2016, 01:14 PM
Actually, I have a fridge in my shop. Putting the potting tray on top of fridge provides enough warmth (75-80f) and once seeds sprout they don't need the heat and can be moved to a sunny spot. but grow mats work too.
You could dump one of the pots, find and check the seed - if it is still viable you could replant in same media.
OR, you could try the tissue method for seed propagation. i.e. wash off soil from your seed, place it in a moist paper towel folded a couple of times, put towel in a zip lock bag and put the bag in a warm place - check every few days for sprouting - you should be able to check the seed without opening the bag.
Once the seed has a sprout you can plant with sprout down.

MBindy2000
11-06-2016, 04:15 PM
Actually, I have a fridge in my shop. Putting the potting tray on top of fridge provides enough warmth (75-80f) and once seeds sprout they don't need the heat and can be moved to a sunny spot. but grow mats work too.
You could dump one of the pots, find and check the seed - if it is still viable you could replant in same media.
OR, you could try the tissue method for seed propagation. i.e. wash off soil from your seed, place it in a moist paper towel folded a couple of times, put towel in a zip lock bag and put the bag in a warm place - check every few days for sprouting - you should be able to check the seed without opening the bag.
Once the seed has a sprout you can plant with sprout down.

Thanks Jose. That's a great idea on the paper towel. I understand what you mean that the seeds don't need light until they sprout. I'm going to try that. I think it would give me better piece of mind also.

Darkman
11-07-2016, 06:31 AM
Since seeds do not need light to germinate one could take an old refrigerator and by using a cheap thermostat and connectiong it to any small heat source (incandescent light bulb or use an aquarium heater, has built in thermostat and heater, in a large jar of water) you can germinate large quantity of seeds. The fridge is insulated and helps maintain moisture. This is an excellent place to root cuttings too!

MBindy2000
11-07-2016, 07:49 AM
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=60845&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=60845)

As I was digging up the seeds I discovered these two little surprises. I'm very happy to see this. :woohoonaner: I left these in the tray and dug up and cleaned all the rest of the seeds and then bagged them. I used the colored popsicles sticks to identify what is what. What has grown is Thailand Black Stem.

I have an old beta fishtank that I hooked a heater up to. I think I will use it as my heater, heck it might work to grow the plants all together. has anyone tried that?

George Webster
11-07-2016, 09:20 AM
I have been trying to find a suitable thermostat to control temperature emitted by a light bulb; but have not been able to find one.

I need 70 F to ferment mead and 105 F to liquefy crystallized honey.

Any help finding one much appreciated.

George

Jose263
11-07-2016, 09:33 AM
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=60845&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=60845)

As I was digging up the seeds I discovered these two little surprises. I'm very happy to see this. :woohoonaner: I left these in the tray and dug up and cleaned all the rest of the seeds and then bagged them. I used the colored popsicles sticks to identify what is what. What has grown is Thailand Black Stem.

I have an old beta fishtank that I hooked a heater up to. I think I will use it as my heater, heck it might work to grow the plants all together. has anyone tried that?
Congrats on your sprouts...I guess patience is a virtue :woohoonaner:

Jose263
11-07-2016, 10:19 AM
MB
My prior comment said to plant the seed with sprout down - that is appropriate for most seed as the seed would be pushed up and developing leaves would eventually discard the seed shell,-
For musa seed (sprouted using paper towel method) the sprout is the beginning pstem and I believe should be point up.

MBindy2000
11-17-2016, 09:39 PM
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=60889&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=60889)
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=60890&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=60890)

I have replanted the two babies and they are doing well. I'm using a clear plastic bag to work as a greenhouse. That keeps the little guys warm during the day and night. So I guess as these get bigger Ill have to repot them separately and get some bigger bags. I know its going to be a challenge keeping these and the other seeds going until Mothers day weekend. As for the seeds. I have them in towels/bag. I suppose I should open the bags and see how the seeds are doing.

cincinnana
11-17-2016, 09:43 PM
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=60889&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=60889)
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=60890&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=60890)

I have replanted the two babies and they are doing well. I'm using a clear plastic bag to work as a greenhouse. That keeps the little guys warm during the day and night. So I guess as these get bigger Ill have to repot them separately and get some bigger bags. I know its going to be a challenge keeping these and the other seeds going until Mothers day weekend. As for the seeds. I have them in towels/bag. I suppose I should open the bags and see how the seeds are doing.


Cool post.......:woohoonaner:

MBindy2000
03-27-2017, 08:50 AM
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=61328&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=61328)

I cant seem to figure out how to edit this picture. This site seems to be awefully complicating at times. Well, I have only two of these babies that germinated. all the rest, nothing. I kind of think I am doing something wrong when it comes to germinating banana seeds. I would think success rate would be higher. Any or tons of advice is welcomed :)

druss
03-31-2017, 06:51 AM
Nope germination rate is usually low. My best results involved GA3.

Jose263
03-31-2017, 09:18 AM
I cant seem to figure out how to edit this picture. This site seems to be awefully complicating at times. Well, I have only two of these babies that germinated. all the rest, nothing. I kind of think I am doing something wrong when it comes to germinating banana seeds. I would think success rate would be higher. Any or tons of advice is welcomed

Nope germination rate is usually low. My best results involved GA3.


I improved germination rate by scarifying the seed on a sanding block before planting - NOT finger friendly.
But the best production ever was just leaving the velutina fruit on the stem in the garden over winter - lots of sprouts the next spring.

MBindy2000
04-02-2017, 08:25 AM
Nope germination rate is usually low. My best results involved GA3.

you are right. This is the fourth time I have bought seeds and have only gotten four plants out of maybe 30 seeds. I'm sure I have to be doing something wrong to have such a bad average of seed to plant or is that just how it is?