Rico-G

I just want to share my experience trying to germinate musa sikkimensis seeds.
I started soaking 10 seeds on Sept. 20 in distilled water for 2 days, placed in peat pots and waited....on Oct. 7 I received the "cape seed Primer" papers then made a solution, took out the seeds and put it in the solution, I also added 28 more seeds that I was reluctant to try until I read on some post that the more the better since it has a low germination rate. after 2 days all were put in different coco fiber pots under the grow lights and over a heating pad 14 hrs on/10 off........nothing sprouted until I decided to leave the heating pad on all the time and then on Oct. 17 my first baby came out! this week has been a blessing as I had 2 new ones on the 21 & 22, 2 on the 25th and a new one today!
That's 6 out of 38 seeds or 16 % germination rate in over 5 weeks time
this is a pic of my eldest

on a side note my musa "helen's hybrid" that I started 10 days before the sikkimensis have yet to show signs of life, I bought 10 seeds from "georgia vines"....I will try to buy more from another supplier.

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willy1der

Who did you order your sikkimensis seeds through,Ive tried many times and always get seeds that dont germinate!!!!

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Rico-G

On Ebay look for "gardenarea2012" she has 100% positive feedback, I paid $2.99 Euros(1.50 shipping) for 30 seeds & she sent me 38

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siege2050

I am trying to germinate Sikkimensis red tiger but only for about a week and a half now. I hear they are very difficult. You left the heat on all the time? I am trying alternating and would be happy with just one sprout lol.

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Rico-G

At first I left the heat mat on all the time but since I wasn't getting any success I decided to leave it on & then I saw my first 11 days ago & 5 this past week. what a coincidence that you just started "sikkimensis red tiger" as I received 50 seeds this past week, soaked seeds on Oct. 23 in salpetre solution (potassium nitrate) for 24hrs, warm distilled water 48 hrs, cape seed primer solution 24 hrs and now I'm about to put them in coco fiber pots with a mix coco/potting soil mix.

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Iahusca81

I made an order from gardenarea2012 Musa sikkimensis, hopefully to get them soon and put to germinate.

siege2050

Still waiting on mine, its been about 4 weeks if not longer.

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dana mastro

OKAY VERY HELPFUL because I've been doing the same thing and only got like 100 goji berrys to sprout :P and not one banana yet but then again I only had like 10 seeds to try it with and saved another 20 for spring so I could make sure I do it right thnx for the post!

Rico-G

I got mine in 2 weeks time, Hopefully you'll get your order by next week maybe it takes more time to get to your place?

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Rico-G

you're welcome, it takes a lot of patience to grow bananas from seed but it's worth it, this past week I finally got one sprout from "musa Helen's hybrid" that I've been trying to germinate before I started my sikkimensis seeds & I also got another sprout from "sikkimensis Red Tiger" so I'm really happy, now I only need at least 1 sprout from "musa sikkimensis x paradisiaca"

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Iahusca81

Rico what kind of soil do you use and where you buy your coco fiber pots.
Thanks

Rico-G

I was using a potting & seeding mix (fafard), it has sphagnum peat moss, perlite & vermiculite. Now I'm adding coco substrate to the mix (most hydroponic stores have it)......as for my coco fiber pots I buy them at my local RONA

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Rico-G

Here's an updated pic of my Musa sikkimensis, I just planted the coco fiber pot into a 2 liter plastic pot, it's growing nicely

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Iahusca81

Very nice plant

Funkthulhu

I've had a tiny ziplock with 6 seeds I Ebay'ed a couple months ago. Just bought a Jiffy Peat-Pot mini-greenhouse for tomatoes and I got my seed mat I wanted for Christmas this year.

So, I soaked the seeds, scored them a bit with a file, and sterilized the peat pots. Planted on the 22nd, we'll see if any come up!

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"Ph'nglui musaglw'nanna Funkthulhu R'Omahaea wgah'basjoo fhtagn"
"In his house at Omaha, dread Funkthulhu plants bananas."

siege2050

I have had 3 out of 10 come up so far, so I am pleased.

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Funkthulhu

I'm 9 days in and nothing so far. I realize these take a while, but I'm still paranoid I've killed them all already. . .

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"Ph'nglui musaglw'nanna Funkthulhu R'Omahaea wgah'basjoo fhtagn"
"In his house at Omaha, dread Funkthulhu plants bananas."

Rico-G

3 out of 10? That's great! it's 30% germination rate as for me, I now have eleven bananas: 6 musa sikkimensis, 1 red tiger, 4 Helen's hybrid
here's some pics of my babies

and here is my biggest one, the leaf is 17 inches long!

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Rico-G

Just be patient, it usually takes 3 weeks to notice something, I usually check for sprouts every week, I recommend fluorescent lights instead of putting the pots in front of a window, they need at least 10 hours of constant light, good luck!

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siege2050

I put my seeds close to a cold window at night, and in the middle of the room during the day, so I guess the temp fluctuations helped. I also just wrapped them in damp paper towel.

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