Cutting
 

I've seen a lot of people come on here and say yes cutting works and others saying no it doesn't
Well, I was just about to give up with everything anything to do with bananas and thought I'd try cutting a few. Some at the top, some at the side. Guess what... All the ones I cut are now germinating.
1) Soaked them for 4 days in water,
2) Changed water every day.
3) Used bog standard peat you can buy from any old DIY gardening store,
4) No heater mats.

That's it! so I'd say there is some truth in cutting.
Can't speak for the others, but Ensete shells are just too damn hard for the embryo to break out.

However, they are extremely slow growing.

I'm now trying to find a cheap way of hydroponic germination.

Re: Cutting
 

I'm with you. My best germination has come from nicking/sanding the seeds. My Ensete Gillitte just sat. I took them out sanded them all ane replanted them and just like that 7 germinated a short time later. I don't think it was coincidence.

Re: Cutting
 

I think it depends on the species. I think with some species it can be helpful but with others it can cause the seeds to rot before the conditions are ideal. I'd suggest saving it for a last ditch effort or if you have quite a few seeds of a species you can maybe scarify half. Ideally check with others who have germinated the species you are trying. Try a method that works and if that fails then try scarification. You might also try sanding lightly and then if that fails you can scarify further. In sterile conditions removing the seed coat allows for almost 100% germination but if you can provide that then you can just buy a plant and do tissue culture about as easily.