-Carrotcarp-

Where to begin, well I have a small Dwarf Cavendish Banana plant which I brought from the Eden Project, its very easy to look after and has tolerated a lot since I got it. For Christmas I was give a heated propagator a heat mat a non-heated propagator some Perlite some Vermiculite and some seed compost.The unheated propagator had a seed tray with (what i think) is rockwall. The next day I went back to the Eden Project and this time in the gift shop I saw a pack of banana ‘Musa Acuminata’ seeds (there was 5 seeds In the pack.) I felt inclined to buy them and have a shot at germinating (and perhaps with a little luck) growing them into plants. I looked on the internet about germinating them and after some research I found out that the plants were easy to keep and raise, but the seeds weren’t. Surprisingly enough I wasn’t discouraged but just more determined to propagate these seeds!
You can probably guess what I’m going to say next…HELP! -But its not all bad, I have made a start and I just want to know if what I’m doing will suffice
I soaked the seeds for 24 hours before putting them in-between two pieces of warm, moist tissue paper. I wrapped the bowl in cling film to raise the temperature and humidity, but the temperature was still under 15c, so I put the heat mat underneath as well and now the temperature is around 28-29c. WILL THIS WORK!!! That’s what I’ve done so far and now I’m waiting for them to germinate, im adamant on making this work and will appreciate any advice.
I am going to experiment with another pack of seeds and am open to new suggestions Thank You
(what soil should I use?) (Should I use vermiculite?)
Thank You All
Regards -Josh-

dablo93

I had the ensete ventricosum seeds at 26-30 degrees and 4 of the 6 are sprouted ()

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-Carrotcarp-

Cool, or should i say lucky What growing medium did you use? I am thinking about a 2/4 soil, 1/4 sharp sand, 1/4 vercumilite mix, any ideas?

dablo93

I did just use soil that I bought by a gardencentre here.

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-Carrotcarp-

Nice one, did you use a propigator or a heat mat-

-Carrotcarp-

For a whole forum on banana seed germination ther isnt much information here
This site: http://davesgarden.com/community/for...useplants/all/

Is much better for a whole array of other types of houseplant questions, i would strongly recomend it

Grog

I just planted some ensete ventricosum seeds yesterday. My seeds came with a little greenhouse about 3" x 6" . I use seed starter mix from the local garden store. I wet the soil down and put the top on my little greenhouse. I set it in the windowsill in the family room which is kept at 68F. It takes forever, like 4 or 5 months, but they grow. I started my first two last January and now they are about 3' high. I almost gave up on them, but left them alone after seeing some green shoots I thought were weeds. Good thing I waited, cause the next thing I know, there was a banana plant.

Lard Greystoke

Received E. ventricosum seeds 1 month ago. The seeds were light and floated on water, which I have been told is a bad sign; but after alternate soaking and drying, initial germination has been very good after 3 weeks at room temperature.

mrbungalow

Ensete-species seem to like more or less constant temps of 25-30 degrees and wet soil to sprout.

Musa-species are different; They need fluctuating temperatures to sprout.

I would use soil instead of paper-towels. I have heard of people trying wet paper-towels for ensete/musa, but I have never heard of anyone sprouting successfully in this medium. If you have success, please let us know.

Erlend

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