Ensete ventricosum
 

Soaked 24 seeds for approximately 30 hours in 80F water. There were 3 seeds that were floaters, but only 1 floater at the end of 30 hours. Planted all seeds in 4" nursery pots and put them into humidity domes on heat mats set to 80F. Using Miracle Grow Seed Starting potting mix.

https://imgur.com/a/kJbjt7B

Edit: Replaced Img tags with link to Imgur Album.

Re: Ensete ventricosum
 

never used humidity domes and when soaked, generally did for 12-18 hrs, in room temp water, 75-80 degree heat mat. And all did well.
For otheres, we have maybe two hundred fingers, how do we know when they will be ready to harvest for seeds? We need them soon for a large outdoor display :-( Worst comes to worst, we will harvest a few and try them, but would be nice to know how best to judge. From pictures, ripe fruit seems pretty visible, i.e. turns colour from current green to a brownish or ?? Does it get soft? Can seeds from green fruit be viable?? Two plants in flower, both started same time, one is still happy and huge, other plant is on very last legs, flower is much smaller and "leaves" around the hands have turned colour and look sickly. Fruit is still happy green and fruit hard.

Re: Ensete ventricosum
 

Thanks for the reply pjkfarm! I decided to go with the domes because the relative humidity in my house is currently very low. Still below freezing in ND, and my house is currently sitting around 15-20%RH. The top soil in pots will dry will out quick so wanted to keep them covered for now.

The seed packets I have say the seeds should take 21-30 days to germinate. Other sources I've read said it could take up to 6 months, so really hoping it doesn't take that long.

Re: Ensete ventricosum
 

oofda no. :ha: banana seeds are hard to get to grow like palm seeds. they can take as much as a year to pop up. it also has a lot to do with how fresh your seeds are. I haven't had much luck with seeds from suppliers. good luck

Re: Ensete ventricosum
 

Below are are a few links where I've seen with shorter germination times for this variety. I really hope it doesn't take months, don't think I have the patience to deal with that :ha:

8 Day Germination
31 Day Germination
27 Day Germination

Wondering if different banana varieties have very different germination times?

Re: Ensete ventricosum
 

Good news, a seedling has appeared! Only one so far, but excited to see more.

https://imgur.com/a/8sfkxKq

Re: Ensete ventricosum
 

uff da? :ha:

Re: Ensete ventricosum
 

:ha: probably spelled oofda.:ha:

Re: Ensete ventricosum
 

After 4 weeks, I ended up with 4 seeds germinating. Repotted at about 2-3 weeks, and gave them their first shot of fertilizer a few days ago.

https://imgur.com/a/aYtkLne

Re: Ensete ventricosum
 

Don't chuck the others yet - we had some germinate 7 weeks out and have heard others say takes even longer for the slow ones.

Re: Ensete ventricosum
 

OK, now for me similar questions, but from my own seeds. If any banana expert reads this, I am having trouble germinating my ensete seeds (some now going on for 3 months).. I have thousands from one flower and just wonder about pollination. Are they self pollinating? The seeds look like regular ensete seeds, hard as a rock and like a big pea, black. Just like the ones I started these plants from.
I tried some as soon as the nanas turned orange, now they are all turning to black goo. Could it be that they need to "ferment" in their own juices for a while?