Pollinating M. zebrina
 

My M. zebrina is throwing a bunch. Last time the fruit just dried up without producing seed.
I've been reading an old book by W.O. Lessard "The complete book of bananas".
He says M. zebrina needs to be pollinated to produce seed, otherwise the fruit just dries up.

My question is if the female flowers come first and the male follow after how can one pollinate it without another stem in flower just before it.

Can just tickling the flowers achieve the desired result.

Has anyone tried this?

Can pollen be stored for any length of time as you can with Bromeliads.

Cheers
Brod

Re: Pollinating M. zebrina
 

A lot of looks but no comments.
Has anyone any thoughts on what I have said?

Re: Pollinating M. zebrina
 

I say you try different methods people talk about on how to pollinate and see what gives you the best results. I've only pollinated my papaya & I'm 4 for 5, and hope the next thing is my Dragonfruit. :^)

Re: Pollinating M. zebrina
 

Are they self fertile? I don't know. If not, you are out of luck, unless you have a different banana variety blooming.

Re: Pollinating M. zebrina
 

All I could find

http://www.bananas.org/f260/hybrid-p...tml#post112003

Re: Pollinating M. zebrina
 

This may help

http://www.bananas.org/f16/m-basjoo-...html#post29733

Re: Pollinating M. zebrina
 

To pollinate all the female flowers, you would need another plant in the male stage during the female stage of the plant you want to pollinate. However, you should be able to pollinate the last 1-2 hands of female flowers with the first hand of male flowers, Get up early in the morning when the flowers are opening, pull off some open male flowers (you will see lots of white pollen on them), and brush them like a little paintbrush onto the stigmas of the female flowers. If you're not sure what the stigma is, look up some basic flower diagrams or just rub the pollen around everywhere and some will probably end up in the right place.

Re: Pollinating M. zebrina
 

Thanks Gabe, I wasn't sure of the timing with the arrival of the male flowers and the receptivity of the last female flowers. I am used to the pollinating thing with bromeliads so these large flowers should be easy.
I was wondering also on the storage of pollen. Brom pollen can be stored in the freezer for up to 1 year. Have you or anyone tried this.

Re: Pollinating M. zebrina
 

Re: Pollinating M. zebrina
 

Banana pollen can be stored about 3 days.