vmckague

Hello, I've never started bananas from seeds and will tell you folks how I'm trying to do so. So if this is not right please tell me. I bought these seeds off of the net and received them last week. I soaked the seed over night and planted them in a garden tray approx 2 inches deep. They were watered in and covered with clear plastic wrap. I placed them over a heating mat that seems to keep the soil temp around 95 to 99 degrees. They are in bright light but not direct. Well what do you think? Will it work? Thanks in advance

51st state

a tiny bit hot maybe.

30-35C (86-90F) is probably ideal.

But with Abyssinian Banana (Ensete Ventricosum) which is not a true banana (Musa). you can't go too far wrong. I put 15 in on 07-13-2007 and have 8 from 15 seeds so far.

As they germinate put them up into 75mm(3") pots, in good compost and water well. I put a ziplok plastic bag over the top of the pot and hold in place with a rubber band to create a humid environment. the growth rate is unbelievable. stand back...pot on as neccessary.

enjoy

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Gabe15

I just had 3 come up in damp sphagnum moss after being planted about 6 months in mess of different lighting conditions and temperatures. I kept moving them around to make room for other things and I just saw they came up. I collected the seeds last summer in California, so they were pretty fresh too.

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Growing bananas in Colorado, Washington, Hawaii since 2004. Commercial banana farmer, 200+ varieties.

Raules

All hello! At me such situation, I am a little in error. I too have bought seeds of a banana. Them sold as Abyssinian Banana Musa Ensete. But me have told, that it Ensete ventricosum. It is one and too? Also have still told, that it is not a banana. It became absolutely not clear. Prompt who knows about it. I can lay out a photo of seeds. In advance many thanks. Andrey.

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Tropical agriculturist

Lard Greystoke

Lard Greystoke replies:

You are not in error. Sometimes scientific names get corrected. The currently accepted scientific name is Ensete ventricosum. Musa ensete is the former name. Abyssinian banana is the common name.

Raules

Many thanks! I have understood all.

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Tropical agriculturist

ilka

hi there.. i'm new! i'm just about to buy some of these Abyssinian Banana Palm seads.. can someone direct me to some pics of them as I cant find any good ones.. also do they come in a Red version too? Or do they all become red-ish? In the meantime i'll keep loking for some pics cheers

jbsobe

from what i understand, the abyssinian banana plant is called ensete ventricosum and is green with a slightly reddish, green center of leaf..... the 'Red' variety, is a common mutation, where the whole leaves are reddish, is called ensete ventricosum moreli (or ensete moreli ventricosum). The red one is more popular, thus it is the one referred to as the abyssinian banana.

You can't guarantee that the seeds from a red mother plant will grow red. You have to buy one that's already growing red. In Miami, I think Home Depot carries the red ones.

jbsobe

sorry, the red abyssinian banana is ensete ventricosum 'maurelli' :-)

nucci60

Who carries the freshest seeds of "Maurelli" and musa sikkimensis?

jbsobe

Shouldn't grow 'Maurelli' or 'Maurelii" from seed. It could come out green....