wim

Right now I'm sowing my very first banana (Musa rubinea). I'm a bit nervous about all this. I have 10 seeds. To be on the safe side, I've only sown half of them.

This is what I've done:
- I soaked the seeds in lukewarm rainwater. I used an indoor propagator. In that I placed a bottom heater. I've filled it to 1/3 inch with water, so the heat would be spread better and to create a humid atmosphere. In the water I placed a plastic box (they sell roasted chicken in it here: the under half is made of black plastic and the top is made of clear plastic) with rainwater in.
- I changed the rainwater every 12 hours.
- This evening, after two days of soaking (3 times new water), I have sown the seeds in a mixture of (commercial) cactus soil with a handful of river sand. That soil stood in the propagator since yesterday, so it could warm up.

Can I stop warming the propagator and let them germinate at room temperature ?
Should I let the temperature fluctuate (heat during the day and let it cool down to room temperature during the night)?
Musa can germinate in 3 weeks to 3 months and longer. How long does it take a rubinea to germinate ?
Bananas are readily attacked by spider mites when they are kept indoor during winter. How can I protect my seedlings ?

Any sowing tips are very much appreciated.

The seeds of Musa rubinea


This is my indoor mini propagator. You can see the electric wire on the left of the bottom heater. It's filled with some water,to let the heat spread evenly and to create a humid atmosphere.
On the left you see an Aloe vera.


In the water I placed a plastic box.


The seeds were sown in a mixture of cactus soil with a handful of river sand.

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With kind regards
Wim