Bananas.org

Welcome to the Bananas.org forums.

You're currently viewing our message boards as a guest which gives you limited access to participate in discussions and access our other features such as our wiki and photo gallery. By joining our community, you'll have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload photos, and access many other special features. Registration is fast and simple, so please join our community today!

If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact us.

Go Back   Bananas.org > Banana Forum > Banana Seed Germination Forum
Register Photo Gallery Classifieds Wiki Chat Map Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

Banana Seed Germination Forum As one of the toughest seeds in the plant kingdom to figure out the keys to germination success with, this is a forum with banana seed germination tips. Please entitle posts like "Musa balbisiana," or "Musa cheesmani," etc. People would then post a reply under that heading, sharing their germination successes (and failures), what materials and methods they used, germination percentage, etc.


Members currently in the chatroom: 0
The most chatters online in one day was 17, 09-06-2009.
No one is currently using the chat.

Reply   Email this Page Email this Page
 
LinkBack (1) Thread Tools
Old 12-10-2007, 07:54 PM   1 links from elsewhere to this Post. Click to view. #1 (permalink)
many 'naners, little time
 
51st state's Avatar
 
Location: salisbury, UK
Zone: 8b ish
Name: Kev
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 465
BananaBucks : 306,834
Feedback: 3 / 100%
Said "Thanks" 202 Times
Was Thanked 259 Times in 126 Posts
Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times
Default Germination guide

I know this info is around on the site but would anyone care to post a step-by-step guide to musa germination (with photos) using the heat mat, and ziplok baggie method. Erlend maybe?

and am I right when I remember that Ensete are norally germinated at a fairly steady 30 C? rather than the fluctuating temps required for Musa?



http://api.wunderground.com/weathers...D55&format=XML
__________________
a>
51st state is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To 51st state

Join Bananas.org Today!

Are you a banana plant enthusiast? Then we hope you will join the community. You will gain access to post, create threads, private message, upload images, join groups and more.

Bananas.org is owned and operated by fellow banana plant enthusiasts. We strive to offer a non-commercial community to learn and share information. Receive all three issues from Volume 1 of Bananas Magazine with your membership:
   

Join Bananas.org Today! - Click Here


Sponsors

Old 12-13-2007, 12:26 PM   #2 (permalink)
Member
 
Tropicallvr's Avatar
 
Name: Kyle
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,032
BananaBucks : 425,532
Feedback: 6 / 100%
Said "Thanks" 230 Times
Was Thanked 414 Times in 163 Posts
Said "Welcome to Bananas" 14 Times
Default Re: germination guide

I wish I would have taken some photos.
There really needs to be some kind of guide at the top of this page(that stays there) telling the basics to germinating musa, fluctuation, soil, ect.
You are correct about Ensete germination, although a little temp variation seems needed for the Thai E.superbum, and E.perrieri needs a seed bed, and needs a dry/then wet (neglected) to sprout.
The last Ensete I germinated was E.superbum India on top of the water heater for the house.
Tropicallvr is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To Tropicallvr
Old 01-31-2008, 11:07 AM   #3 (permalink)
Member
 
CookieCows's Avatar
 
Location: Kentucky
Zone: 6-7
Name: Deb
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,182
BananaBucks : 71,482
Feedback: 3 / 100%
Said "Thanks" 1,347 Times
Was Thanked 696 Times in 393 Posts
Said "Welcome to Bananas" 159 Times
Default Re: germination guide

When soaking your seeds in warm water for a couple days ... are you setting up an fish aquarium heater or something in shallow water? Probably not that..... lol.... I haven't been able to figure out what type of container would be used and how the water is kept at a constant warm temp. Carefully set pie pan or something on heat mat?

Deb
__________________

CookieCows is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To CookieCows
Old 01-31-2008, 12:49 PM   #4 (permalink)
 
tropical-pete's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 38
BananaBucks : 16,479
Feedback: 0 / 0%
Said "Thanks" 28 Times
Was Thanked 41 Times in 15 Posts
Said "Welcome to Bananas" 14 Times
Send a message via MSN to tropical-pete
Default Re: germination guide

Tropicallvr - I agree. At the top of this page, a detailed guide should be put on how to germinate both Musa & Ensete seeds, including specific requirement for individual species (for example, that Ensete 'Thai Superbum' requires a little temp. fluctuation, just as you stated). I myself am new to all of this, and I'd love to learn how to germinate my nana seeds successfully. I think it would be a great idea to post a detailed guide as people will only need to ask for specific information then, as a guide for sowing the seed will already be present. Thanks, take care

Pete
tropical-pete is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To tropical-pete
Old 01-31-2008, 01:09 PM   #5 (permalink)
un-Retired
 
Richard's Avatar
 
Location: Vista, CA
Zone: USDA 10b
Name: Richard
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 9,674
BananaBucks : 497,209
Feedback: 9 / 100%
Said "Thanks" 3,636 Times
Was Thanked 12,543 Times in 4,721 Posts
Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1,685 Times
Default Re: germination guide

The "Bananas Wiki" might be a better location ...
__________________
Back in business at plantsthatproduce.com
Richard is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To Richard
Sponsors

Old 01-31-2008, 01:34 PM   #6 (permalink)
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 124
BananaBucks : 24,354
Feedback: -1 / 0%
Said "Thanks" 15 Times
Was Thanked 26 Times in 18 Posts
Said "Welcome to Bananas" 3 Times
Default Re: germination guide

Quote:
Originally Posted by 51st state View Post
I know this info is around on the site but would anyone care to post a step-by-step guide to musa germination (with photos) using the heat mat, and ziplok baggie method. Erlend maybe?

and am I right when I remember that Ensete are norally germinated at a fairly steady 30 C? rather than the fluctuating temps required for Musa?



Weather Underground
wich 30c is 86 degrees for those of us in the usa!
jason is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To jason
Old 02-17-2008, 01:20 PM   #7 (permalink)
 
tropical-pete's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 38
BananaBucks : 16,479
Feedback: 0 / 0%
Said "Thanks" 28 Times
Was Thanked 41 Times in 15 Posts
Said "Welcome to Bananas" 14 Times
Send a message via MSN to tropical-pete
Default Re: germination guide

erm....well is anyone going to post a guide for general Musa seed germination? I have lots of seed awaiting sowing, but I just need to know how! What is the general reccomended planting medium, temps, light requirements etc. and that sort of stuff?

Thanks, take care

Pete
tropical-pete is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To tropical-pete
Said thanks:
Old 02-18-2008, 02:25 PM   #8 (permalink)
Member
 
Tropicallvr's Avatar
 
Name: Kyle
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,032
BananaBucks : 425,532
Feedback: 6 / 100%
Said "Thanks" 230 Times
Was Thanked 414 Times in 163 Posts
Said "Welcome to Bananas" 14 Times
Default Re: germination guide

1. Get a soil that is bacteria free(cook in oven to sterilize) Or buy seed starting mix. Coco peat & perlite mixed togher is a good medium for sprouting. Get zip lock baggies to place the seeds in, the bigger the bag the better, I have cooked seeds in too small of a bag. Half gallon or gallon size I think is best.
2. Get a heat mat with an appliance timer(bought seperatly), and set up in a cooler room(60F) in your house. Put some sort of tray(seedling flat) on heat mat, so baggies aren't directly on the mat.
3.Soak seeds for about 24-48(or more) hours changing the water daily. Some seeds have alot of banana pulp and might need to be scrubbed a few times as they soak. After they are done soaking, give them a scrub and rinse with either diluted hydrogen peroxide, or a 10% bleach solution. Some bleach clings to seeds and makes them feel slimey, and if this is the case give them a extra dish soap wash to get the bleach off.
4. Hydrate your soil medium, just to the point of moist, but not dripping moist. I ussaly run a drip into the baggy as I stir it as the water drips in. Not too wet not too dry. Then sprinkle the seeds on the surface, and sprinkle a little soil on them, just so they are barley covered.
5. Set you timer for being on from anywhere from 5 hours on to 12 hours on. It's up to you I've had results with short and long, but now I do around 7-8 hours on.
6. Check regularly by hand or with an outdoor thermometer the soil to make sure it isn't getting too hot, and raise your tray off the heat mat if it is. I have lost alot of seeds from frying them. If your soil is drying out then it's probably too hot.
6. No need for a light to germinate them, they will do it in pitch black, but you'll need to check them almost every day, because if you miss a seedling that has sprouted and they stretch too much for light then they use all their reserves, and don't have enough energy to produce the first leaf, then they bend over and die. Be careful not to expose them to full sunshine too quickly either if they have been in a dark place.
Some species are fine to dig up out of the baggies and seperate from the soil before it has it's first leaf, and some are really touchy and you must leave them in the baggy till they have a leaf.
when they are ready just put new potted seedling in a warm well lit place(morning sun), or artificial light, and let it go to town, fetilizing lightly after 3 or so leaf leafs have been put out.
LMK if I missed anything that your wondering about. I HOPE YOU GET SOME SPROUTS!

Last edited by Tropicallvr : 03-07-2008 at 09:09 PM.
Tropicallvr is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To Tropicallvr
Old 02-18-2008, 09:57 PM   #9 (permalink)
*********
 
bigdog's Avatar
 
Location: Gainesville, FL
Zone: 8b
Name: Frank
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,002
BananaBucks : 730,066
Feedback: 7 / 100%
Said "Thanks" 212 Times
Was Thanked 1,787 Times in 502 Posts
Said "Welcome to Bananas" 131 Times
Send a message via AIM to bigdog Send a message via MSN to bigdog
Default Re: germination guide

Kyle, that was a fantastic how-to tutorial! The only thing that I would add is that some may want to use plastic storage boxes with a tight-fitting lid instead of the baggies. It seems to me that sometimes there isn't enough air in the bags when the seedlings germinate, or sometimes they germinate right up against the bag and get too wet. Both work fine if you leave enough air. In any event, you do want to start checking daily after 2-3 weeks for germination.

When using a box, and transplanting a seedling from the box to a pot (try to use a sterile medium when they are this young to prevent fungal attacks!), I use my finger to gently push down into the medium with one finger about 1/2 inch from the seedling. Hook your finger underneath the seedling as deep as you can. Then grab the seedling with your other hand, and lift it up with the finger that is in the medium. Do not pull it up by your other hand, or you may risk damaging the roots! You might damage a root or two anyway, but I've not lost one yet doing it this way. The rule of thumb is to be gentle! Seedlings are very fragile, and won't easily recover from too many roots being damaged.

I have given up on using flats and trying to germinate in the greenhouse. Invariably, fungus gnats become a problem quickly. If you do want to germinate in the greenhouse (or outside), make sure that the cover of the box has holes in the top of it! Either that or set it where the sun won't hit it. I have lost one seedling in the greenhouse from cooking it the day after it germinated, on a cool, sunny winter day, where the temperature under the humidity dome must have been into the 100s Fahrenheit.

I have not had any luck with non-sterile medium, although there was a study that had better germination with it. I can't stress enough how important it is to start out with a sterile mix, sterile box (or bag), and to sterilize the seeds (like Kyle said) before sowing. If it isn't a sterile medium, you don't know if there are any pathogens in there just waiting to attack your seeds/seedlings. Especially if it is a rare seed or seedling, you want to give it the best chance possible. I'm sure some have had great success just throwing some seeds in a pot of old soil, LOL, but I'll bet it was a pretty common seed like Musa velutina or such.
bigdog is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To bigdog
Old 02-18-2008, 11:43 PM   #10 (permalink)
Member
 
Tropicallvr's Avatar
 
Name: Kyle
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,032
BananaBucks : 425,532
Feedback: 6 / 100%
Said "Thanks" 230 Times
Was Thanked 414 Times in 163 Posts
Said "Welcome to Bananas" 14 Times
Default Re: germination guide

Yes, the finger hook method! Were getting really down to the details here, I almost forgot about that.
Good point about having enough air in the baggies, that's another reason why the large baggies work better than the small ones.
Tropicallvr is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To Tropicallvr
Said thanks:
Old 02-19-2008, 08:57 AM   #11 (permalink)
 
bikoro child's Avatar
 
Location: south-west of France
Zone: zone 8
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,026
BananaBucks : 257,783
Feedback: 1 / 100%
Said "Thanks" 381 Times
Was Thanked 578 Times in 208 Posts
Said "Welcome to Bananas" 56 Times
Default Re: germination guide

thanks for all these explanations here are 3 pics to show you how I do


__________________
Click for Pau, France Forecast

Ivan
bikoro child is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To bikoro child
Old 02-19-2008, 09:37 AM   #12 (permalink)
Freezing member
 
mrbungalow's Avatar
 
Location: Bergen, Norway
Zone: 8
Name: Erlend
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 598
BananaBucks : 45,444
Feedback: 0 / 0%
Said "Thanks" 14 Times
Was Thanked 165 Times in 78 Posts
Said "Welcome to Bananas" 3 Times
Default Re: germination guide

I will come back to this soon, I will try to put in a little effort in presenting my technique.

Cheers
Erlend
__________________
mrbungalow is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To mrbungalow
Said thanks:
Old 02-19-2008, 11:38 PM   #13 (permalink)
*********
 
bigdog's Avatar
 
Location: Gainesville, FL
Zone: 8b
Name: Frank
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,002
BananaBucks : 730,066
Feedback: 7 / 100%
Said "Thanks" 212 Times
Was Thanked 1,787 Times in 502 Posts
Said "Welcome to Bananas" 131 Times
Send a message via AIM to bigdog Send a message via MSN to bigdog
Default Re: germination guide

Quote:
Originally Posted by mrbungalow View Post
I will come back to this soon, I will try to put in a little effort in presenting my technique.

Cheers
Erlend
Yes, you had a great tutorial in another thread, Erlend, and it would be great if you could post it again here.
bigdog is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To bigdog
Said thanks:
Old 02-23-2008, 02:08 AM   #14 (permalink)
 
tropical-pete's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 38
BananaBucks : 16,479
Feedback: 0 / 0%
Said "Thanks" 28 Times
Was Thanked 41 Times in 15 Posts
Said "Welcome to Bananas" 14 Times
Send a message via MSN to tropical-pete
Default Re: germination guide

Thanks very much for posting there guides guys - I really appreciate it, and I'm sure everyone else will. I know have a good idea on how to sow my Musa seeds, so I'll get them going right away

Thanks, take care

Pete
tropical-pete is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To tropical-pete
Old 02-26-2008, 11:03 AM   #15 (permalink)
Freezing member
 
mrbungalow's Avatar
 
Location: Bergen, Norway
Zone: 8
Name: Erlend
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 598
BananaBucks : 45,444
Feedback: 0 / 0%
Said "Thanks" 14 Times
Was Thanked 165 Times in 78 Posts
Said "Welcome to Bananas" 3 Times
Default Re: germination guide

Here's a little video I worked on this weekend. Hope you'll like it, and that it could come in useful!

Musa germination guide
__________________
mrbungalow is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To mrbungalow
Old 02-26-2008, 12:51 PM   #16 (permalink)
 
the flying dutchman's Avatar
 
Location: HOLLAND
Zone: 8
Name: Ron
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,031
BananaBucks : 107,395
Feedback: 0 / 0%
Said "Thanks" 48 Times
Was Thanked 243 Times in 147 Posts
Said "Welcome to Bananas" 11 Times
Default Re: germination guide

Thats awesome, thank you Erlend. I made this a sticky thread because
there is so much valuable information in it.

Ron
the flying dutchman is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To the flying dutchman

Join Bananas.org Today!

Are you a banana plant enthusiast? Then we hope you will join the community. You will gain access to post, create threads, private message, upload images, join groups and more.

Bananas.org is owned and operated by fellow banana plant enthusiasts. We strive to offer a non-commercial community to learn and share information. Receive all three issues from Volume 1 of Bananas Magazine with your membership:
   

Join Bananas.org Today! - Click Here


Sponsors

Old 02-26-2008, 12:56 PM   #17 (permalink)
 
tropical-pete's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 38
BananaBucks : 16,479
Feedback: 0 / 0%
Said "Thanks" 28 Times
Was Thanked 41 Times in 15 Posts
Said "Welcome to Bananas" 14 Times
Send a message via MSN to tropical-pete
Default Re: germination guide

Thanks Ron

I have a bunch of banana seeds ready to plant, but I was reluctant to plant them. The amount of different ways of germinating them out there are so numerous, I simply couldn't decide which would give me the best change of germination. I was worried that my seeds wouldn't germinate, and then (even though Musa seeds are one of the hardest to germinate) I would lose all confidence in my germination skills and never plant another seed again! However, I now have a few different ways to pick from, and I know that all of them should yield good results.

Thanks so much! Take care

Pete
tropical-pete is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To tropical-pete
Said thanks:
Old 02-26-2008, 02:13 PM   #18 (permalink)
Member
 
Tropicallvr's Avatar
 
Name: Kyle
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,032
BananaBucks : 425,532
Feedback: 6 / 100%
Said "Thanks" 230 Times
Was Thanked 414 Times in 163 Posts
Said "Welcome to Bananas" 14 Times
Default Re: germination guide

very cool video Erland! Nice sound track!
One thing that I forgot to mention is that if you try with the plastic "tupper ware" storage boxes instead of the baggies, make sure you get ones with very tight fitting lids, fungas gnats wiped out my seeds because the lids weren't tight fitting.
Tropicallvr is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To Tropicallvr
Old 02-27-2008, 07:41 AM   #19 (permalink)
many 'naners, little time
 
51st state's Avatar
 
Location: salisbury, UK
Zone: 8b ish
Name: Kev
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 465
BananaBucks : 306,834
Feedback: 3 / 100%
Said "Thanks" 202 Times
Was Thanked 259 Times in 126 Posts
Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times
Default Re: germination guide

Excel Erlend. Sums it all up really

Loving the soundtrack
__________________
a>
51st state is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To 51st state
Said thanks:
Old 02-27-2008, 07:56 AM   #20 (permalink)
Freezing member
 
mrbungalow's Avatar
 
Location: Bergen, Norway
Zone: 8
Name: Erlend
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 598
BananaBucks : 45,444
Feedback: 0 / 0%
Said "Thanks" 14 Times
Was Thanked 165 Times in 78 Posts
Said "Welcome to Bananas" 3 Times
Default Re: germination guide

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tropicallvr View Post
very cool video Erland! Nice sound track!
One thing that I forgot to mention is that if you try with the plastic "tupper ware" storage boxes instead of the baggies, make sure you get ones with very tight fitting lids, fungas gnats wiped out my seeds because the lids weren't tight fitting.
Good point Kyle: I realized I forgot to address the issue of contamination in the video!! I use a potting soil that is supposed to be guaranteed disease/ pest free, so it hasn't been that much of an issue for me. But sometimes the seeds themselves carry critters or fungus spores.

Erlend
__________________
mrbungalow is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To mrbungalow
Said thanks:
Sponsors

Reply   Email this Page Email this Page





LinkBacks (?)
LinkBack to this Thread: http://www.bananas.org/f30/germination-guide-3116.html
Posted By For Type Date
YouTube - Germinating banana seeds This thread Refback 02-28-2008 10:39 AM

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Guide for identifying subgroups? venturabananas Banana Identification 24 08-10-2012 06:00 PM
Can someone post a tc guide? imclueless17 Tissue Culturing & Other Propagation Techniques of Banana Plants 7 07-12-2012 07:35 PM
A guide to Bamboo Eric Other Plants 86 09-17-2009 07:26 AM
A newbies guide to disaster Kabby Main Banana Discussion 3 10-20-2006 07:28 PM


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:50 AM.





All content © Bananas.org & the respective author.