kernowmike

is the glass jar just for humidity or do you put hot water in it? what is its function?

H2O

Not hot water tank, just little water tank.
This compensates for the loss by evaporation (not sure the pot is closed properly)

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wind4you

I purchased these same seeds. I see that you almost just layed the on the surface with just maybe an 1/8 covering of soil. Is this true? Some tips for germinating would be very helpful.

H2O

Welcome!

All seeds were sandpaper scarified and then soaked for 7 days in tepid water. (the seeds were in a glass at the top of the boiler and the water was changed daily)

You can use 1g/L of epsom salt in water, i did. I read somewhere that can help.

Seeds were placed in a closed germination pot (coco soil).
Most of the seeds are just below the soil surface= the seeds are covered with about 5mm (0.2 in. ?) of coco soil.

The pot stands at the top of the boiler. (Instead you can use a heat mat.)

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Dalmatiansoap

Oh yes, it would be nice to grow E. Glaucum again.

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jmoore

I've got some seeds ;-)

By the way excellent advice J-C

H2O

totally normal, ensete glaucum seeds are bigger & ensete are fast growing.

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Dalmatiansoap

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H2O

Lol , right



here is mine:



This one is the second on the left of the "01-11-2013 08:01 PM" post.
The fastest grower of my ensete glaucum !

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Dalmatiansoap

Nice plant Jc!

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jmoore

Yep she's beauty!

kernowmike

I've just noticed the first of mine has germinated in a stewart propagator which is sitting on top of one of my radiators - non thermostatic propagator and i bought an inside outside thermometer at Lidl, which is intended for the few cars that dont have one - mine has. min 23c max about 36c. rather a handy device for £3.99 brand is auriol in small silver grey box if they have any left.

plan b is vermiculite\compost mix in 200g dowe egbert coffee jars in a copper planter - the type that looks like a fish kettle. the coffee jars are a perfect fit and it all sits on top of a radiator at an elderly relatives house, as she has heating on all day. will update on success.

kernowmike

how do you scare the seeds? do you creep up behind them?

wind4you

Is it just me or are banana seed just the most hardest to germinate. I bought some ensete glaucum and its ben a month with no results. They were on a heating pad, next i put them in a zip lock back with peat moss. Maybe this will work or are the seeds i got duds. I broke one open and appeared to be fine with nice white embryo. Need some help. I also did the same with king kong banana seeds with one sprouting then just died al the sudden. It seems to me that banana seeds germinate when they just really want to with no time schedule.

jmoore

You have to have a bit of patience. One month is nothing when trying to germinate seeds. You need to keep them in the same place and wait.

kernowmike

well, i got mine 28/12/12 and they have been in the heated propagator since soaking. i used a craft knife on some to chip the outer, and on others a metal nail file. only 2 out of 50 sprouted so far.

ladybird gardens on ebay is where i get most of mine, but also scamptons succulents - mainly palms of various types. once grown on, i donate excess to charity stalls for them to sell

kernowmike

do they grow better with Peckham Spring bottled water then?

H2O

i use filtered tap water for ensete so yes, peckam spring water is good

Here the bottle is just for scale, on the first pic (01-11-2013) the ensete was just as bis as the bottle:



And today (in same order):


and another leaf is coming on the bigger one.

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kernowmike

As young Mr grace used to say "you are all doing very well"

flaflowerfloozie

I also got my seeds from James, had good germination rate and have good healthy plants now, I'll post pics tomorrow if I can find them & figure out how to get them on here. Got 4 in the ground last month.

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I wanna buy your seeds...maybe??