weirdone66

I just started to try to germinate bananier seeds. I was wondering what is better a heating pad or a desk lamp?

microfarmer

Most people have a desk lamp already. Incandesent is best for heat. Flourescent is not good. A heat pad warms the soil directly from below.

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magicgreen

Enquiring minds want to know.......Which is better?
I just bought a heat mat. Is that good? Or just put them on my desk and hope that will work?

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(Started growing bananas July 2007)
(Zone 6)

bencelest

Heat mat warms the soil. At certain tempts at 54*F and above up to 90*F roots start to grow thus more cells for the leaves to grow.
Below 54* F plant will stop growing there will be no activities at the root zone.
A desk lamp is a substitute for sun rays to create photosynthesis for the plant depending on the kind of bulb you use. Some bulbs are used for growth and some are used to encourage flowering.
See Lode--- RE- UV light 1 /15 /08
in another thread someone asked this question 'I'm using a heat mat that I got for Christmas for bottom heat to assist in seed germination. Once the seeds have germinated, is there any benefit to keeping the seeds on the heat mat?
And the answer was ' In my experience, it depends on how much light you are giving them. If the roots are heated, you need to give them sufficient light for good growth,....'

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Banana Nut

microfarmer

I soak my banana seeds tomorrow Gonna start tomatos and peppers also to plant in March.

I'm going to use a heat mat, and I think it is a better heat source, as it directly warms the soil. Mine is already glued to the bottom of a 55 gallon aquarium. It came that way from the PO.

I was just infering that you don't need to go out and buy a heat mat and most people already have some sort of desk lamp that will work just fine.

On a desk, with the plants in some kind of enclosure, would work, but some foil to enclose the heat generated by the light source would help also. You can also use a 175 watt HPS or MH as the light and heat source and then you have some serious growth! You can expand that exponentially and start your own banana business.

You can build a special germination chamber, with the perfect conditions, all timed perfectly with a humidostatic timer, but in reality, unless you already have the cool stuff (I admit it! I like to collect gardening tools and equipment), you need nothing more than a desk lamp, some HD aluminium foil, and a timer.

Like they say in racing: "Speed costs money...How fast do you want to go?"

YMMV

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magicgreen

Real fast Microfarmer, real fast! I want these babies (seeds) up and running!

Speaking of foil. I got plain ol' reynolds wrap and put it inside a (4") deep tupperware container to help hold the heat.

Put the heat mat under the container, then put the whole thing inside one of those plastic bags that bed spreads come in.

When condensation starts, i just unzip the bag a little.

At night i unzip it all the way, and turn off the heat mat.

Think this might work?

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(Started growing bananas July 2007)
(Zone 6)

microfarmer

That's entirely up to the seeds...

Now that's a nice budget setup. Exactly what I was talking about. When not in use, you can just fold it up. Do you put a light on it/in it, or leave it by a window, or did you foil the lid and check daily?

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mrbungalow

No light is needed for germination. Forget about the light until you see a white roots. Just remember to set the interval for your heat pad to 10 hrs on and 14 hrs off. You want to get temperatures high and rel. low! (upper 80s and 50s)

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magicgreen

Microfarmer, i dont put a light near it, as Erlend said, not till i see something sprouting. It is on my plant stand near the window though.

I dont foil the lid, only sides and bottom (but i might do that).

The whole container fits in the bag perfectly, with room to spare.

I hadnt been taking it out the bag at night. I will now! Thanks Erlend! Gotta get them a lil' cooler at night .
The grasshopper is learning more!

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(Started growing bananas July 2007)
(Zone 6)

microfarmer

Mine went from water bath to paper towel-in-a-baggie on top of the fridge. They move to individual sixpacks and their aquarium tomorrow. I'll provide light from the beginning. It'll give them something to aim for.

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magicgreen

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! that was cute!

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(Started growing bananas July 2007)
(Zone 6)