Bananas.org - OK>>>> Seeds are ready on the velutina!!!

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OK>>>> Seeds are ready on the velutina!!!

The first bunch that I harvested have been cleaned, WHEW!!! and ready to go out... I think I will just clean them the old fashioned way. Here's what I did:
I soaked the fruit in water for about 4 days after I halved them. Last night I spent about 2 hours at the kitchen sink carefully peeling the fruit back by the outer layer, scraping the seeds as I went. I tried to minimize the amount of pulp that went with the seeds. Afterward, I strained them while running water over them. The pulp did not want to rinse through the strainer, so I picke as much of it out as I could. I then placed the seeds on a screen out in the garage to dry overnight. This morning, I took all the seeds and placed them in a tube with some sand in it, capped it and shook the dickens out of it. After about 5 minutes, I screened the sand off and they were done. All in all, they are cleaner and in alot better shape than the ones I ran through a blender last year, so hopefully you folks can have better luck with them germinating. I will be shipping them out by the first of next week and we be sending each of you an e-mail for notification... I plan on sending at least 100 seeds to everyone so you can try different techniques to see which works best. Like I asked, please submit feedback on your techniques and germination rates so others can learn from each other. Hopefully, we can start a thread on this so we can all learn more about this GREAT little nanner!!!
:twonanners: :twonanners: :twonanners: :2691: :0488: :2691: :twonanners: :twonanners: :twonanners:

Hey all,
This is the thread I started and wanted everyone that got some of the seeds to contribute to it. Any info you can share with others on successes and failures would be good to share. With a minumum of 100 seeds apiece, we should get some good trials going on. SHARE THE INFO!!!!

Re: OK>>>> Seeds are ready on the velutina!!!

Thank you Randy! I am going to donate some of the plants that come from these seeds (when I get back, and the plants are robust enough to take a winter with little protection) to a community garden here in Sand Springs in honor of all of my fallen comrades and all who have given the the greatest sacrifice in service to their fellow man.

Thank you again,

James

Re: OK>>>> Seeds are ready on the velutina!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by klemmthamm (Post 20002)

That has to be the best gesture I could have ever thought of. When you get a chance, hollar at me by pm or e-mail, I have something that I would like to share with you... God bless you and the others that are sacrificing everything for us!!! Take care and keep in touch...
Randy

Re: OK>>>> Seeds are ready on the velutina!!!

Randy, thank you again.
This should be a very interesting trial / experiment.
I have a few ideas to try. I am thinking 5 different methods of 20 seeds each then? Does that sound about right to everyone?

James you be safe. I have a lot of friends in the millitary and can't thank you enough for the jobs you guys are doing. Your about 4 hours from me and 2hours from my in-laws so if you need someone to help care for the bananas
let me know

Re: OK>>>> Seeds are ready on the velutina!!!

I appreciate that Ben... I have a little while longer at home so I should be good till spring (everything dug/brought inside)... I will be able to get online every now and then over there so I will be able to send out a banana SOS if need be, lol :D But you are always welcome to visit anyway!

-James-

Re: OK>>>> Seeds are ready on the velutina!!!

I found the information below that may help with the "Randy Velutina Seed Trials", lol

Bioversity International: Musaceae

Quote:

CHAPTER 49. MUSACEAE
The Musaceae comprise about 100 species of partly woody plants within about six genera which provide edible fruits (e.g. Musa accuminata Colla, banana) and fibres (e.g. Musa textilis Nee, Manila hemp). The fruits are berries and seed storage behaviour is orthodox.

SEED DORMANCY AND GERMINATION

The seeds have linear embryos, copious endosperm and a thick hard testa. Dormancy per se (that is innate seed dormancy, see Chapter 5, Volume I) is a problem (sometimes severe) in germination tests and in addition the thick hard testa can act as a barrier to germination. Chipping the testa and testing in alternating temperature regimes promote seed germination. Detailed information on seed dormancy and germination is provided in this chapter for the genus Musa only, although a comment on Ensete is also included in this section.

MUSA

M. acuminata Colla

banana

M. balbisiana Colla

banana

M. textilis Née

abaca, Manila hemp

I. Evidence of dormancy

Promoting the germination of banana seeds is difficult in plant breeding (1,4-6). The germination of intact seeds is either unsuccessful (1), or erratic with only low proportions of seeds germinating (4). The low germination reported for banana seeds is due to the degree of maturity of the seed when extracted from the fruit (5,6), and in particular to dormancy - as the following examples of after-ripening demonstrate. Storage of seeds of M. balbisiana in a desiccator at room temperature for 3 months resulted in an increase in germination from 73% to 95% (5). In M. acuminata and M. balbisiana germination increased from 28% to 84% and 86% respectively, after 6 months storage in an atmosphere of 5% carbon dioxide at room temperature (6). Whilst 2 year old seeds of M. balbisiana did not germinate at all at any constant temperatures after 5 months in test, 99% of seeds germinated in satisfactory alternating temperature regimes (7). Moreover seeds buried in the soil can remain dormant for a year (6) or more (4). Seeds of the closely related Ensete spp. may survive for up to 25 years in soil and still germinate after disturbance (6). The above examples of loss in dormancy with after-ripening treatments also demonstrate that Musa spp. seeds show orthodox storage characteristics.

II. Germination regimes for non-dormant seeds

M. balbasiana

Alternating temperatures: 20°/35°C, 27°/32°C (19h/5h) (7)

III. Unsuccessful dormancy-breaking treatments

M. acuminata

Pre-dry: sun, desiccator, 1w (5)

Pre-soak: 1-4w, in light or dark (5)

M. balbisiana

Constant temperatures: 28°C, 32°C, 38°C (7); 18°-35°C (8); 25°-40°C (9)

Alternating temperatures: 4°/27°C, 4°/32°C, 4°/35°C, 27°/4°C, 32°/4°C, 27°/12°C, 35°/12°C, 27°/15°C, 35°/15°C, 27°/18°C, 32°/27°C (19h/5h) (7)

Pre-chill: (9); 10°C, 4d (5); 4°C, 80d (7)

Pre-dry: sun, desiccator, 1w (5); 60°C, 4d (5); scorch (5)

Pre-soak: 12h (2); 2d (5); 1-4w, in light or dark (5); 2d, then dry, 2d (5); 2-192h (9)

Pre-wash: 2-192h (9)

Scarification: chip (5); concentrated sulphuric acid, 8-64 min (5)

Ethanol: (6); 5, 30, 95, 100%, 5s (9)

Carbon tetrachloride: 5s (9)

Mercuric chloride: pre-applied, 1-50 min, 10-4, 10-2 M (6)

Acetone: 5s (9)

Ethyl acetate: 5s (9)

Hydrogen peroxide: pre-applied, 24,48h, 1% (9)

Ultrasonics: 5,60,300s (2)

M. textilis

Pre-dry: sun, 24-72h (10)

Pre-soak: 30°C, 40°C, 50°C, 1-20 min (10); 60°C, 5, 10 min (10); 70°C, 5-15 min (10); 80°C, 100°C (10)

Scarification: hand (11); concentrated sulphuric acid, 0.5-3h (10); sulphuric acid, 3, 6 N, 0.5-3h (10); concentrated hydrochloric acid, 0.5-3h (10); hydrochloric acid, 3, 6 N, 0.5-3h (10); concentrated nitric acid, 0.5-3h (10); nitric acid, 3, 6 N, 0.5-3h (10)

Sodium hydroxide: pre-applied, 24h, 0.5-5% (11)

IV. Partly-successful dormancy-breaking treatments

M. acuminata

Pre-dry: sun, 3d (5)

M. balbisiana

Alternating temperatures: 12°-18°/27°-35°C, 27°/32°C, 27°/35°C, 35°/4°C, 35°/18°C, 35°/27°C, 32°/12°C, 32°/15°C, 32°/18°C (19h/5h) (7); 24°/37°C, 18°/32°C (19h/5h) (8)

Pre-chill: 15°C, 4m (7); 12°C, 3,4m, germinate at 20°/35°C (16h/8h) (7)

Warm stratification: 28°C, 32°C, 38°C, 6w, germinate at 19°/28°C, 19°/32°C, 19°/38°C (19h/5h) (7)

Pre-dry: whole fruit, 45°C, 4d (6)

Scarification: concentrated sulphuric acid, 2,4 min (5); sulphuric acid, 50%, 30 min (9); concentrated nitric acid, 15 min (9); sodium hydroxide, 10%, 2,4h (9); hydrogen chloride, 20%, 1h (9); mechanical (8,9)

Ultrasonics: 30s (2) pH: 5.2-6.3 (3)

Light: daylight (5); 12h/d (9)

M. textilis

Warm stratification: 2-4m (11)

Pre-soak: 16h (4)

V. Successful dormancy-breaking treatments

M. balbisiana

Alternating temperatures: 18°/35°C (12-19h/12-5h) (7)

Warm stratification: 27°C, 32°C, 4m, germinate at 20°/35°C (19h/5h) (7)

Pre-soak: 24h (12); 24h, then warm stratification (12)

Removal of seed covering structures: excise embryo (1,8); chip (9); chip, germinate at 27°/32°C, 18°/32°C (19h/5h) (7)

Scarification: concentrated sulphuric acid, 2-16 min, continue test for 5m (5)

VI. Comment

It is essential that banana seeds be tested for germination in alternating temperature regimes. Constant temperatures outside the range 10°-37°C result in seed death (7). Within this range virtually no germination occurs in dormant seeds(7), but the seeds will subsequently germinate after transfer to a suitable alternating temperature regime (7). A fairly large amplitude is required for full germination: 12°/35°C or 15°/35°C (19h/5h) are probably the most suitable (7), but 18°/35°C (19h/5h) could be used provided the germination test period is extended to 49 days (7). Chipping imbibed seeds in the germination test may result in more rapid germination (7,9). Where the seeds do not exhibit dormancy they will germinate within about 3 weeks when tested in sand at 25° to 30°C.

VII. References

1. Cox, E.A., Stotzky, G. and Goos, R.D. (1960). In vitro culture of Musa balbisiana Colla embryos. Nature, 185, 403-404.

2. Perry, L.P. and Boodley, J.W. (1980). Germination of foliage plant seeds in response to pre-sowing ultrasonic exposures, water soaks and fungicides. HortScience, 15, 192-194.

3. Perry, L.P. and Boodley, J.W. (1980). Germination of foliage plant seeds in response to sowing media, depths of sowing, pH levels and medium temperatures. HortScience, 15, 194-196.

4. Purseglove, J.W. (1972). Tropical Crops. Monocotyledons, pp. 361, Longman, London.

5. Simmonds, N.W. (1952). The germination of banana seeds. Tropical Agriculture, Trinidad, 29, 35-49.

6. Simmonds, N.W. (1959). Experiments on the germination of banana seeds. Tropical Agriculture, Trinidad, 36, 259-274.

7. Stotzky, G. and Cox. E.A. (1962). Seed germination studies in Musa. II. Alternating temperature requirement for the germination of Musa balbisiana. American Journal of Botany, 49, 763-770.

8. Stotzky, G., Cox, E.A., and Goos, R.D. (1961). Alternating temperature requirements for the germination of Musa balbisiana Colla seeds. Plant Physiology, 36, 21-22.

9. Stotzky, G., Cox, E.A. and Goos, R.D. (1962). Seed germination studies in Musa. I, Scarification and aspetic germination of Musa balbisiana. American Journal of Botany, 49, 515-520.

10. Ferrer, L.G. and Espino, R.B. (1923). A study on the germination of abaca seeds. Philippine Agriculturist, 12, 101-110.

11. Ricahuerta, J.R. (1952). Germination and viability study of seven abaca varieties. Philippine Agriculturist, 35, 504-511.

12. Riley, J.M. (1981). Growing rare fruit from seed. California Rare Fruit Growers Yearbook, 13, 1-47.

Re: OK>>>> Seeds are ready on the velutina!!!

Ben,
Looks like you are going to need some more seeds if you are going to try all of them, huh!?!?! Hopefully it will not take that long to germinate... Interesting stuff though...

Re: OK>>>> Seeds are ready on the velutina!!!

I don't have the room to try all those methods, lol
I just wanted to post some ideas for people. It would be nice if the seeds germinated like the yucca I just tried. In less than a week in a baggy I had close to 50% germinate. Not real sure I want to mess with the 200+ extras I have now, lol

Re: OK>>>> Seeds are ready on the velutina!!!

:2623: Hi all, just read these post & Iam very excited, and looking forward to receiving my seeds! :2780: I just started taking a short course on Community gardening at the Cint. Civic center, and as soon as I read about the seeds, I thought that a community garden might be a GREAT place to grow a nanner. { And learn more stuff}Ive been researching different seed starting methods. But me thinks my bathroom is going to be one experiment. The light is great and so is the temp. And I'll also try one of my dryer areas of the house. Can't wait to hear all the experiments ! I am a Veteran also.....And Brother I will Pray for you! God Bless, and Good Luck to Everyone growing new babies from scratch!!!!!!!! MagicGreen .... :simpatica

Re: OK>>>> Seeds are ready on the velutina!!!

Your prayers are appreciated MG. And I love community gardens... they allow people who may not be able to garden (health, apartments, etc.) to enjoy the beauty of nature that they otherwise may not have been able to enjoy. If I had the money I would buy a few vacant lots around my town and start a few more.

Good luck with the seeds and I look forward to hearing about everyone's experiences with them.

-James-

Re: OK>>>> Seeds are ready on the velutina!!!

Just wanted to give a quick update to the second batch of seeds that I will be harvesting. Today, I took one banana that was just starting to open to work with me and a good friend of mine and I cut into 3 small pieces and placed it into warm water with coarse grade sand. We then placed the beaker into the ultrasonic bath with warm water. After about 3 hours, the seeds were almost completely separated from the pulp. The ones that were not, were easily removed by hand with no pulp attached. Talking about easy. I am wondering if the same could be done with a "jewelry cleaner"? I know that a jewelry cleaner is alot smaller but the principle would be the same, right? Tomorrow, we will be "smashing" the banana into just pulp to see if time can be reduced. We will also be trying to have a more concentrated slurry of sand and water... May even place some in a centrifuge to try and separate?
I was just wondering if anyone has ever tried a food dehydrator to dry out the fruit and then remove the seeds? Would this be a possibility?
Like I said above, just wanted to update on next batch. If there is anyone that would like to get in on this little trial, let me know and I will be more than happy to send you some seeds to start out with...
Randy

Re: OK>>>> Seeds are ready on the velutina!!!

I moved this quote from the "cleaning seeds" post:

Quote:

Originally Posted by klemmthamm (Post 20121)

Got the seeds today!!! I am trying just a couple of different methods...

1.)seeds straight into potting mix (miracle grow mix)
a.)without soaking
b.)soaked for 24 hours
c.)soaked for 48 hours

2.)seeds into seed starting jelly stuff (resembles stuff from silica packs)
a.)without soaking
b.)soaked for 24 hours
c.)soaked for 48 hours

My setup isn't all that technical or neat I guess but I am really curious on how the soaking and substrate effect the germination.

-James-

Re: OK>>>> Seeds are ready on the velutina!!!

was hoping to find nanner seeds at home today, but no one went to check our PO box:confused:

Dan

Re: OK>>>> Seeds are ready on the velutina!!!

Received my seeds today. Plan to divide into 5 sections as follows:

1) Store 20 under cool, dry conditions & plant in spring.
2) Soak 40 in plain water 36 hours.
3) Soak 40 in water with detergent added, 36 hours.

Of the 80 soaked seeds, plant 1/2 of each in potting soil mix, and 1/2 in a stratified mix of damp soil on bottom, dry sand in the middle containing the seeds and damp soil on top.

Thanks to Randy for all the hard work he has put into this.

Re: OK>>>> Seeds are ready on the velutina!!!

Moved from "Musa velutina seeds" thread on "For Sale" forum...
Thanks Isaac, for the notice... Keep us informed...

Re: Musa velutina seeds...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The seeds arrived today. I put them in a clear plastic container after soaking them in water for two hours. They are in Miracle Grow 'Moisture Control' potting soil outdoors with the lid on. They will recieve direct sunlight in the morning hours and should see a change of temp around 20*F per day. Thank you again for being so generous and taking the time to send the seeds. I will post an update whenever I have to move them indoors for winter.
Isaac

Re: OK>>>> Seeds are ready on the velutina!!!

found the mailer in box tonight:2784:
so we will work on growing them shortly

Dan & Tara

Here's what I did last year (with great success)...

Last year I got some seeds form Randy and immediately put them in a community pot in Miracle Grow potting soil. Nothing happened and I moved the pot inside the garage for the winter. It was about 60*F or so over the winter. Then I read about varying the temps. I already had a plastic tub with needle palm seeds in it. It had constant heat on the bottom and a light bulb shining down in the box to raise the temps for a few hours a day. I put the seeds in a zip lock baggie on top of this so there would be residual heat from the light bulb for 4 hours a day and then the seeds would cool back down to 60*F. I assume that the heated four hours was in the mid-80's. Let's just call it 86*F. Anyway, this was in early April and within a few days there were seeds germinating all over the place. I dumped them out to pick out the germinated seeds and found that there were hundreds. I just dumped them on top of some Miracle Grow potting soil in a pot and put about a half and inch of potting soil over them and watered them well. We had that early warm spell and then I pulled them into the garage for the cold snap. I got tons but lost almost all of them later in the year after they had been overcrouded almost all summer and then planted out in full sun and extreme heat. I'll try again next year and plant them out early.

Re: OK>>>> Seeds are ready on the velutina!!!

does anyone know if which side of seed is turn up matter?:bungejumpnaner:
one side is black and other is tan in color
Dan

Re: OK>>>> Seeds are ready on the velutina!!!

Pulled this up from last year's experiment done by a gentleman using some of the velutina seeds I supplied him. I wish he would try again this year with some of the seeds I have because the ones last year I honestly think contained alot of damaged seeds due to my using a blender to try and separate the pulp. Allen, are you out there!?!?!
Anyway, here is a link to his experiment and some great info from, who else but, Gabe and BigDog!!!
http://www.bananas.org/showthread.ph...tomy+of+a+seed

Re: Here's what I did last year (with great success)...

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobG7aChattTN (Post 20182)

Rob,
Thanks for your input... Hopefully these seeds I have for you will do even better than last's...

Re: OK>>>> Seeds are ready on the velutina!!!

Hey Randy,

I received my seeds today. :scroll: Thanks for being so generous. I start trying to germinated them tomorrow. I am still trying to decide which methods I am going to try. This thread was a great idea.

Bill

Re: OK>>>> Seeds are ready on the velutina!!!

I just read AllenF's posts. I am wondering if water temps over 100F killed the seed embryo. In the article from American Journal of Botany article link it said temps over 38C killed the embryo or highly reduced the germination rate.

Re: OK>>>> Seeds are ready on the velutina!!!

:2735: I got my seeds :2723: I got my SEEDS!!!!! I havent done anything yet. Iam absorbing info abt them. Cuz trust me, Iam a newbie to nanna growing, and dont want to fail! But for my 1st experiment,i'll trust my gardeners instinct and put 10 seeds between approx. 5 paper towels, folded, and soaked with water. These will be put in a baggie in my warm bathroom. Oh yea, thanks ALL of you for the great seed starting info :2688: . Gotta go and blanket up my nanna seeds. I'll report back soon. Everyone Have a great day! MagicGreen...................................

Re: OK>>>> Seeds are ready on the velutina!!!

here is another thread I seen that could useful!

http://www.bananas.org/showthread.php?t=970

Dan

Re: OK>>>> Seeds are ready on the velutina!!!

Thanks d&t for the info. My 2nd experiment will be........putting 3 seeds in regular miracle grow potting soil with a lil' play sand mixed in. I'll then moisten the soil and put the pot in a lrg baggie , in a dry area of the house. My 3rd experiment is to again wet paper towels, put in 10 seeds, into a baggie; but this one will be put outside for 2 days, maybe 3. Somewhere I read about the seeds needing some lower temps. So here in z6 its still abt 70degs daytime, and nites abt 40degs. So all day they'll be in the sun, and at nite theyll get the chill factor!:2723: I love this site. Magicgreen :nanerwizard:

Re: OK>>>> Seeds are ready on the velutina!!!

Just got this post from a gentleman I sent some seeds to him last year. Thought you might like to see how long some of his seeds took to germinate...

"I planted 24 of the seeds that Randy sent me last year in a 24 cell seed starter tray. 6 of them germinated, some of them not until August of this year. I'll get some pics posted one of these days Randy. My largest has been moved 3 times and also suffered some sort of bug damage, but I'll get pics posted as soon as I take some."
BTW...This guy lives in Pittsburgh, PA

And yet another reply from a good friend of mine in SC...
Randy...MY Musa Velutina Seeds Sprouted!!! (from LAST year!!)
Posted by Sean in York,SC on 10/18/2007, 8:32 pm

I couldn't believe it.... They took their sweet old time, but they came up in the last week or so.... all at once... very strange... I must have sown them nearly a year ago..I had really written them off..shows what I know. Did you already run out of this years seed?

Re: OK>>>> Seeds are ready on the velutina!!!

BGREEN's post on "cleaning seeds", thread:

On my end,

I started to soak all my seeds in the neat little baggy they arrived in on Monday night. When I cam home Tues I found the bag had tipped on it's side and drained out all the water.

Split the seeds 50/50 and nicked (scarified) group #1 and let group #2 alone.
Soaked the seeds for 48hrs

Location #1 (an old terrarium) Temp is raised during the day from overhead lamp to 80f-82F and cools to 67f-70f at night. Light is on 14hrs per day. Placed 50% (25 seeds) from group #1 and #2 on a moist paper towels folded over and placed in same ziplock bag. So they have the same temps and humidity.

Location #2 (garage seed station) Temps raised 10F over ambient temperature by seed germination mat. 12hrs on/ 12hrs off
Temps range mid 80's during the day and low 60's at night.
Seeds are place on moist perlite in plastic tubs.
__________________
Take care,

BGreen

Re: OK>>>> Seeds are ready on the velutina!!!

Tomorrow the forcast is a daytime high of 85* and a low of 55* at night. What temp is too cold for the seeds to germinate? And is 30* too much of a swing in temp? I have mine outside in a clear plastic container with the lid on. It gets hit by direct sun about 2 hours a day.

Re: OK>>>> Seeds are ready on the velutina!!!

Hey Randy--you got amy more of them Velutina Seeds? Would sure like to try my hands of them.

Re: OK>>>> Seeds are ready on the velutina!!!

After a rough summer, I have been up to my A** in alligators trying to catchup with the yard. I missed the earlier comments as I was neglecting this site but Randy emailed me. He is sending me more seed from this years crop so that I can try again.

Thanks again Randy

Allen

Re: OK>>>> Seeds are ready on the velutina!!!

Randy,

I recieved the seeds today!:2791: I'll do my best to keep other informed here to my progress. This is the first time I've attempted to grow bananas from seed so the results should be interesting.

Dean

Re: OK>>>> Seeds are ready on the velutina!!!

Oh and you also did a great job cleaning them.

Dean

Re: OK>>>> Seeds are ready on the velutina!!!

Okay! I started the experiment.
1.) 20 soaked 48 hrs in a seaweed water soultion then w/ in a clear container w/ moistened vermiculite (at a south window).

2.) 20 are in moistened perlite w/in a clear container (at a south window seal).

Re: OK>>>> Seeds are ready on the velutina!!!

heres how we planted seeds

1. 15 in a 1 gallon baggy with wet towels no soaking
2. 40 soaked 24 hours plant 18 in organic potting soil, 18 in moisture controlled potting mix all placed in a bag,
last 4 planted in same soils left in to room air
3. 40 soaked 36 hours planted same as #2
4. 40 soaked 48 hours planted same as #2

tomorrow leave lamp on over them to raise temp during day, off over night

Dan & Tara

Re: OK>>>> Seeds are ready on the velutina!!!

The gentleman living in Pittsburgh that tried some seeds from last year finally showed me a pic on one of my babies, he got to germinate and I thought I would post it and show it off. Wish I had cigars for everyone!!! LOL

http://members3.boardhost.com/HardyP...193099978.html

Re: OK>>>> Seeds are ready on the velutina!!!

You guys are all so cute..being so careful and loving to your seeds!

I had so many, I couldn't give them away to all my friends! (Before I found this group) So, I just mushed up the little nanners and threw them on the ground under the mom plant, under the shade of a Pygmy Date Palm. Water them when I remember, and "Tadah!" there are little babies all over the place!:bananarow:

But then it got really hot and dry and lost almost all. :2717:
Potted up the remainder (4) and now they are safe till next spring!:2739:

Margie

Re: OK>>>> Seeds are ready on the velutina!!!

I got mine too...Thank you!

Now to set up the germination chamber.

Old aquarium (Iguanarium)...check
florescent light...check
heating pad...still stuck to the aquarium...check
timer...check
sixpac containers...check
growing media...

honey, I gotta go to Home Depot...again...

yes, I need more potting mix...:0519:

Keep y'all posted...

Re: OK>>>> Seeds are ready on the velutina!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dean W. (Post 20605)

Okay! I started the experiment.
1.) 20 soaking in a seaweed water soultion.

2.) 20 are in moistened perlite w/in a clear container (at a south window seal).

Hey Dean,
Tell me I sent you more than 40 seeds!!! If that is all I sent you and you would like more, let me know because I thought I send everyone interested at least 100...
Randy

Re: OK>>>> Seeds are ready on the velutina!!!

I am new and anxious to learn more about growing bananas, etc.

About the banana seeds offered for experiement, are they edible?

Do you have to have special equipment, etc?

Are they Non-edible nanas?

thanks.

Re: OK>>>> Seeds are ready on the velutina!!!

what kind banana tree is the "velutina"?

Are they edible? Please forgive the thousand questions, but as you can tell, I am quite ignorant.

Best regards

Re: OK>>>> Seeds are ready on the velutina!!!

Randy,

I got more than 40 seeds I was just thinking of what else to do w/ them. ;) I'm going to go down and start some more.

Dean

Re: OK>>>> Seeds are ready on the velutina!!!

Okay!
3.) 40 in a baggie w/ Sphagnum Peat Moss at south facing window.
4.) 40 in community pot w/ filtered sunlight (regular potting soil).

Dean

Re: OK>>>> Seeds are ready on the velutina!!!

Hey Brother Randy!!--Got my seeds today. Many thanks old man. Got about 180 seeds. Well, sir i already set 50 of them a soaking in plain old warm water. Havent come up with a germination plan yet but over the week-end I will be picking up a bag of Miracle Gro potting soil and a bag of Peat Moss. Come Monday nite I will lay out my plan. I'll tell you this much, there will be no 12 hrs dis and 14 hrs dat and timer dis and timer dat. Once again I, thank you great friend.

Re: OK>>>> Seeds are ready on the velutina!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by shopgirl2 (Post 20775)

Shopgirl,
First of all, there is alot that still has not been determined with the velutina. Some believe there are two different varieties. I do not by any means know the answers and that is one of the reasons I thought this little experiment / trial would help us all learn a little more about it and have some fun while we were at it. As far as my velutina goes... I have had it for 3 summers now and got it as a one gallon plant from a local friend of mine. His do not get over 5' overall height. Mine fruited the first year and every year afterwards. The clump kept getting bigger each year. This summer I will be honest, I have cut up and given/sold more than I wish I had, but it still put out a huge harvest this year. Anyway, mine gets over 10' everyyear, so that is the big difference that alot of folks talk about. I do not do anything special to it. I did give it one application of triple 13 this spring and that is all. This was the first and only time I have every given any of my nanners any type of ferts. I do water the hoot out of them as well as my other plants.
The velutina does have a nice sweet taste to it, but the seeds make it not very enjoyable, to say the least. The seeds are quite large for the fruit which, on my clump, average about 3" long. I average about 100-110 seeds per, so I do not eat them....
Anyway, I thought I would post a pick of my clump from last year and some of the fruit...
Hope this answers your questions...

Re: OK>>>> Seeds are ready on the velutina!!!

I got the seeds yesterday. Can't wait to get them growing.

Thanks Randy!

Re: OK>>>> Seeds are ready on the velutina!!!

Randy, I've recieved the seeds mate thanks a bunch!, hopefully the success rate will be good enough for me to spread the wealth throughout my neighboorhood and I will post my finding as we all proceed.

Re: OK>>>> Seeds are ready on the velutina!!!

Randy, the seeds made it!!! Thank you very much!

The Plan...

All -soaked for 24 hours.
-put into Dutch Treat starter mix

1/2 -heat mat varying temps
1/2 -top shelf plant/fish tank room

Re: OK>>>> Seeds are ready on the velutina!!!

I moved all my seeds except the community pot to an aquarium. The aquarium has Christmas lights in it and maintains a temperature of about 80*F.

Dean

Re: OK>>>> Seeds are ready on the velutina!!!

Randy, the seeds arrived today, thank you very much, I wil forward some
seeds to our new member 'Puiu' in Romania, he has asked me so and I suppose this is okay with you.

Thanks

Ron

Re: OK>>>> Seeds are ready on the velutina!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by the flying dutchman (Post 21006)

Randy, the seeds arrived today, thank you very much, I wil forward some
seeds to our new member 'Puiu' in Romania, he has asked me so and I suppose this is okay with you.

Thanks

Ron

Ron,
Glad to hear they made it. If you have enough to send on to Puiu, by all means go ahead. If I need to send some more to either of you, let me know and I will get them out as soon as you say the word...
Randy