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marksbananas
09-06-2008, 10:24 AM
I have read an article that recommends soaking banana seeds in GA3 before sowing the seeds. I have always soaked my seeds in water but this article recommends using GA3 and wate to soak for 5 days, shaking twice a day before planting up. It is claimed that the results are at least 80% germination. I was wondering if anyone has tried this or think it is rubbish. I always thought that seed germination was determined by the age of the seeds (freshnes). Thanks and i am planning on experimenting with this method to see and i will keep you posted on the results i achieve. Sorry GA3 is Gibberellic Acid.

bigdog
09-06-2008, 10:16 PM
I've tried it, but can't remember now what ppm it was. I had absolutely no luck with it at all. Soak for 5 days, eh? A couple of things wrong with that. The main thing is that you need to change the water at least every day, preferably several times per day or keep the water aerated. Of course, that is very cost-prohibitive, since GA3 isn't exactly cheap. and you would need to mix a new batch every time. If it sits for 5 days, there's a good chance that the seeds could rot out. Another thing is that it can take more than 5 days for water to penetrate the inner integument. I've soaked Musa sikkimensis seeds for over a week, and still had dry endosperm when I broke the seed open. The outer seed coat will absorb water, but the inner integument is quite thick and doesn't break down that easily.

damaclese
09-07-2008, 09:30 AM
I've tried it, but can't remember now what ppm it was. I had absolutely no luck with it at all. Soak for 5 days, eh? A couple of things wrong with that. The main thing is that you need to change the water at least every day, preferably several times per day or keep the water aerated. Of course, that is very cost-prohibitive, since GA3 isn't exactly cheap. and you would need to mix a new batch every time. If it sits for 5 days, there's a good chance that the seeds could rot out. Another thing is that it can take more than 5 days for water to penetrate the inner integument. I've soaked Musa sikkimensis seeds for over a week, and still had dry endosperm when I broke the seed open. The outer seed coat will absorb water, but the inner integument is quite thick and doesn't break down that easily. what about combining GA3 with nicking the seed cote wouldn't that get the GA3 in to the embryo after reading many articles I'm more then ever convinced that the resistins to germination is in the seeds coting and not in the embryo its self I'm going to try this and what about placing aeration in the jar that way you can keep the same water/GA3 for many days? thats more a question than a statement

marksbananas
09-07-2008, 12:41 PM
what about combining GA3 with nicking the seed cote wouldn't that get the GA3 in to the embryo after reading many articles I'm more then ever convinced that the resistins to germination is in the seeds coting and not in the embryo its self I'm going to try this and what about placing aeration in the jar that way you can keep the same water/GA3 for many days? thats more a question than a statement

That is a good idea i will try nicking some of mine before soaking and some not nicked and see what gets best results. Thanks for that

Chironex
09-07-2008, 01:01 PM
I have run these trials too. The GA3 did nothing, nicked or un-nicked. I used 2 different levels of GA3 as recommended and nicked half of the seeds. None of them germinated. They were also subjected to alternating heat and cool per the most recent research on fluctuating temps to induce germination. (Of course, the seeds were Perrieri, so this may have had some bearing on things.) I still have the seeds in a soil-less mix to see if they germinate on their own someday.

I just got 150 more Perrieri seeds so I may try again under optimal conditions. When I get the Ingens seeds, I am going to try all different methods to try to get them to germinate. Look for my follow-up post in about 2 years.....

We ought to send some of these seeds to 'Mythbusters' and see what they can find out. LOL

griphuz
01-20-2011, 01:57 PM
The fact that nothing at all helped germination and nothing eventuelly germinated tells us nothing about if GA-3 works or not,....just the seeds are not viable anymore I'm affraid.
I'll have a go as well with different concentrations.
Kind regards,
Remko.

sunfish
02-13-2011, 09:17 AM
I have run these trials too. The GA3 did nothing, nicked or un-nicked. I used 2 different levels of GA3 as recommended and nicked half of the seeds. None of them germinated. They were also subjected to alternating heat and cool per the most recent research on fluctuating temps to induce germination. (Of course, the seeds were Perrieri, so this may have had some bearing on things.) I still have the seeds in a soil-less mix to see if they germinate on their own someday.

I just got 150 more Perrieri seeds so I may try again under optimal conditions. When I get the Ingens seeds, I am going to try all different methods to try to get them to germinate. Look for my follow-up post in about 2 years.....

We ought to send some of these seeds to 'Mythbusters' and see what they can find out. LOL

I received some Perrieri seed from Scot 8/09. The seed had been sitting in my fridge all this time. Two weels ago I put some in a baggie and into my germinator. Two seed have germinated so far.

Found another one

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=40281&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=40281&ppuser=2868)

griphuz
02-14-2011, 06:56 AM
Wow that's quite surprising Tony, after such a long time in the fridge...

sunfish
02-14-2011, 07:59 AM
Wow that's quite surprising Tony, after such a long time in the fridge...

Suprised me.I was going to throw them out.

sunfish
02-14-2011, 10:07 AM
I received some Perrieri seed from Scot 8/09. The seed had been sitting in my fridge all this time. Two weels ago I put some in a baggie and into my germinator. Two seed have germinated so far.

Found another one

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=40281&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=40281&ppuser=2868)

Found eight more germinated this morning

eric27
02-15-2011, 05:36 PM
Tony that's great! I will have to try your method some time.

I was curious, your seed looks just like my Perrieri seed, not warty-or is it and I can't tell in the picture. I suspect mine is a Superbum India, or not? Do you think yours is a Perrieri?

sunfish
02-15-2011, 06:15 PM
Tony that's great! I will have to try your method some time.

I was curious, your seed looks just like my Perrieri seed, not warty-or is it and I can't tell in the picture. I suspect mine is a Superbum India, or not? Do you think yours is a Perrieri?

These seed are marked as Perrieri. I couldn't tell you for sure whether they are or not.

sunfish
03-02-2011, 12:41 PM
Found eight more germinated this morning

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=40539&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=40539&ppuser=2868)

sunfish
03-09-2011, 11:11 AM
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=40662&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=40662&ppuser=2868)

griphuz
03-09-2011, 11:56 AM
But these were not germinated with GA-3 right?

Kind regards,
Remko.

sunfish
03-09-2011, 01:29 PM
But these were not germinated with GA-3 right?

Kind regards,
Remko.

Right.No GA-3 , soaking or scarifying

sunfish
03-14-2011, 07:56 PM
Found eight more germinated this morning

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=40805&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=40805&ppuser=2868)

sunfish
03-14-2011, 08:00 PM
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=40806&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=40806&ppuser=2868)

nannerfunboi
03-14-2011, 09:21 PM
im jealous sunfish!! great starts on new nanners...:08:
no signs of any sprouts on my seeds.. yet.. but not giving up..
i appreciate the experience from all here.. newbie here.. but
enthusiastic.. LOL

eric27
03-16-2011, 04:33 PM
Tony I was wondering about your pic below with the seed that sprouted but no roots on the plate. Do you plant them in individual cups when you find them like that before they have roots? I usually waited to take them out until they had roots and 2 leaves. But just a couple days ago I found an Ensete Gilletii seed that had just sprouted in my Ensete Superbum pot! So I pulled it out and out it in its own 3 inch pot. I checked the others and found 4 more, sprouted with no roots. So I put them in pots before they had roots. I was wondering if this method was ok adn if that was what you did.

Thanks!
Eric

sunfish
03-16-2011, 05:11 PM
Tony I was wondering about your pic below with the seed that sprouted but no roots on the plate. Do you plant them in individual cups when you find them like that before they have roots? I usually waited to take them out until they had roots and 2 leaves. But just a couple days ago I found an Ensete Gilletii seed that had just sprouted in my Ensete Superbum pot! So I pulled it out and out it in its own 3 inch pot. I checked the others and found 4 more, sprouted with no roots. So I put them in pots before they had roots. I was wondering if this method was ok adn if that was what you did.

Thanks!
Eric

Mine are in a baggie,but yes I pot them as soon as I see germination.

hardboiled (deleted account)
03-17-2011, 05:58 AM
I was just about to give up with anything that looked like a banana seed when this morning as I was about to throw to soil out I' thought I'd poke round it with a sharp stick and discovered 2 germinated seeds.

GA3 makes no difference. I've tried it with and without, nicked and unnicked. It's right conditions and luck.

Must have words with god about this faulty design... not good enough!!!....lol

hardboiled (deleted account)
03-17-2011, 06:07 AM
However, GA3 Does work on bamboo seeds VERY well.

griphuz
03-17-2011, 09:57 AM
Did you try different concentrations as well hardboiled?

Kind regards,
Remko.

sunfish
03-17-2011, 03:08 PM
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=40805&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=40805&ppuser=2868)

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=40844&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=40844&ppuser=2868)

hardboiled (deleted account)
03-18-2011, 05:08 PM
Did you try different concentrations as well hardboiled?

Kind regards,
Remko.

Yep 250ml 100ml. GA3 wasn't a problem because I had loads of it. It was the waiting around and pacing up and down like an expectant father that drove the misses mad!
Latest ( and probably last ) experiment is to soak seed for 8 days then put some in ga3 for 2 days. I'm also using a 20watt heat pad( they're meant to be used under reptile containers ) now. Heat pads work a treat with chilli seeds and Papaya so should ( I hope ) work with banana seeds.
I've tried everything else. What have I got to lose!!
2 out of the dozens i've tried is not a good record. Then again some of the one's I've had before 'could' have been duffers!

griphuz
03-18-2011, 06:19 PM
Yep 250ml 100ml.
What do you mean by that?? ml are not concentrations,.......mg/ml or ppm are concentrations,...

Lots of relatively cold-tolerant Musa species germinate well by heating them a bit during the day, and letting them cool down again during the night if you use a heat mat. Put it on a timer and you're set to go!

Kind regards,
Remko.

hardboiled (deleted account)
03-18-2011, 11:37 PM
PPM I meant to say.

Something I'e not seen any mention of on this site is hydroponic germination( not that I've looked properly )
This really is going into the Frankenstein dept of growing but from what I've read it works and takes a lot of the guess work away, BUT it's expensive!

I'm about to go looking at what's required for seed germination with hydroponics and see what's required.

hardboiled (deleted account)
03-18-2011, 11:47 PM
How to Soak Rockwool Cubes | eHow.co.uk (http://www.ehow.co.uk/how_7440463_soak-rockwool-cubes.html)
How to Prepare Rockwool | eHow.co.uk (http://www.ehow.co.uk/how_7177928_prepare-rockwool.html)
This is good but doesn't elaborate enough on the solutions required.

hardboiled (deleted account)
03-19-2011, 01:15 PM
I've been doing more research and the theory and practice of hydroponics makes a lot more sense that GA3. All living things need nutrition and warm = ideal conditions.

I've got 1 vial of GA3 left I'm going to use it to get rid of it.

sunfish
06-23-2011, 09:48 AM
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=40844&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=40844&ppuser=2868)

<a href="http://s950.photobucket.com/albums/ad348/musanamwah/?action=view&amp;current=Picture137.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i950.photobucket.com/albums/ad348/musanamwah/Picture137.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

raggedyredhead
03-01-2012, 11:38 PM
Hi, I've been doing a lot of reading about Nitrozyme and it's ability to induce
seeds to germinate by soaking. I tried to find specifics about banana but, to know avail. Does anyone know anything about this.
Thanks Raggedy:2722:

jmoore
03-02-2012, 12:04 PM
I used to use nitrozyme to germinate banana seeds, then I did a little comparison between plain water, 1 gram per litre epsom salts and 20 ml/l nitrozyme. I found that for speed of germination the epsom salts was the best, followed by water with nitrozyme a very sad third. However there may have been flaws in my results. I followed the instructions on the nitrozyme itself which states to soak the seed for 24 hours, at this point I had found that soaking for a week in water was the best way to go. So I soaked for 6 days then soaked in nitrozyme for 24 hours. (Maybe I need to re-test this)

There is a lot of talk of nitrozyme in the archives on this site in the germination forum. You have to look at the very old posts though. That's where I got the idea initially.

jmoore
03-02-2012, 02:10 PM
Well you've spurred me on: 25 seeds soaked for 7 days in 20ml/l nitrozyme. Results here we come.

raggedyredhead
03-02-2012, 04:31 PM
[QUOTE=jmoore;188308]I used to use nitrozyme to germinate banana seeds, then I did a little comparison between plain water, 1 gram per litre epsom salts and 20 ml/l nitrozyme. I found that for speed of germination the epsom salts was the best, followed by water with nitrozyme a very sad third. However there may have been flaws in my results. I followed the instructions on the nitrozyme itself which states to soak the seed for 24 hours, at this point I had found that soaking for a week in water was the best way to go. So I soaked for 6 days then soaked in nitrozyme for 24 hours. (Maybe I need to re-test this)

There is a lot of talk of nitrozyme in the archives on this site in the germination forum. You have to look at the very old posts though. That's where I got the idea initially.[/QUOTE

Hi, I would like to try the epsom salts. I currently have ensete seeds germinating after a four day soak & roughing w/sandpaper. Just ordered ensete glaucum & musa balbasana seed. I will try your method next.
Thanks again Raggedy(Lynda)

jmoore
03-03-2012, 02:47 AM
make a solution containing 1 gram per litre of epsom salts. I soaked my balbisiana seeds for 3 days because they are small seeds. I would soak the ensete seeds for a week. You will need to change the solution every other day.

:woohoonaner:

Chironex
04-02-2013, 01:52 AM
Tony, I'm glad to see these germinated. I never got them to do so. Are they indeed Perrieri? I remember getting the seeds and remarked to the seller that they didn't appear to be E. perrieri, but he insisted that they were indeed. By now they must have grown out. I would love to see photos.

sunfish
04-02-2013, 09:17 AM
Tony, I'm glad to see these germinated. I never got them to do so. Are they indeed Perrieri? I remember getting the seeds and remarked to the seller that they didn't appear to be E. perrieri, but he insisted that they were indeed. By now they must have grown out. I would love to see photos.

They ended up being Ensete ventricosum.

Chironex
04-02-2013, 11:00 AM
It seems a lot of Musa and Ensete seeds are being labelled incorrectly. I have seen several posts like this as I was catching up on things here. Sorry aboput that. I think I had a post in my gallery about those when I received them. But since I was never able to get them to germinate, I couldn't determine for certain.

Any other photos of the other bananas you got from me? Sure would love to see some. It takes forever to find them in the galleries.