Seed germination using GA3
 

I have read an article that recommends soaking banana seeds in GA3 before sowing the seeds. I have always soaked my seeds in water but this article recommends using GA3 and wate to soak for 5 days, shaking twice a day before planting up. It is claimed that the results are at least 80% germination. I was wondering if anyone has tried this or think it is rubbish. I always thought that seed germination was determined by the age of the seeds (freshnes). Thanks and i am planning on experimenting with this method to see and i will keep you posted on the results i achieve. Sorry GA3 is Gibberellic Acid.

Re: Seed germination using GA3
 

I've tried it, but can't remember now what ppm it was. I had absolutely no luck with it at all. Soak for 5 days, eh? A couple of things wrong with that. The main thing is that you need to change the water at least every day, preferably several times per day or keep the water aerated. Of course, that is very cost-prohibitive, since GA3 isn't exactly cheap. and you would need to mix a new batch every time. If it sits for 5 days, there's a good chance that the seeds could rot out. Another thing is that it can take more than 5 days for water to penetrate the inner integument. I've soaked Musa sikkimensis seeds for over a week, and still had dry endosperm when I broke the seed open. The outer seed coat will absorb water, but the inner integument is quite thick and doesn't break down that easily.

Re: Seed germination using GA3
 

what about combining GA3 with nicking the seed cote wouldn't that get the GA3 in to the embryo after reading many articles I'm more then ever convinced that the resistins to germination is in the seeds coting and not in the embryo its self I'm going to try this and what about placing aeration in the jar that way you can keep the same water/GA3 for many days? thats more a question than a statement

Re: Seed germination using GA3
 

That is a good idea i will try nicking some of mine before soaking and some not nicked and see what gets best results. Thanks for that

Re: Seed germination using GA3
 

I have run these trials too. The GA3 did nothing, nicked or un-nicked. I used 2 different levels of GA3 as recommended and nicked half of the seeds. None of them germinated. They were also subjected to alternating heat and cool per the most recent research on fluctuating temps to induce germination. (Of course, the seeds were Perrieri, so this may have had some bearing on things.) I still have the seeds in a soil-less mix to see if they germinate on their own someday.

I just got 150 more Perrieri seeds so I may try again under optimal conditions. When I get the Ingens seeds, I am going to try all different methods to try to get them to germinate. Look for my follow-up post in about 2 years.....

We ought to send some of these seeds to 'Mythbusters' and see what they can find out. LOL

Re: Seed germination using GA3
 

The fact that nothing at all helped germination and nothing eventuelly germinated tells us nothing about if GA-3 works or not,....just the seeds are not viable anymore I'm affraid.
I'll have a go as well with different concentrations.
Kind regards,
Remko.

Re: Seed germination using GA3
 

I received some Perrieri seed from Scot 8/09. The seed had been sitting in my fridge all this time. Two weels ago I put some in a baggie and into my germinator. Two seed have germinated so far.

Found another one

Re: Seed germination using GA3
 

Wow that's quite surprising Tony, after such a long time in the fridge...

Re: Seed germination using GA3
 

Suprised me.I was going to throw them out.

Re: Seed germination using GA3
 

Found eight more germinated this morning

Re: Seed germination using GA3
 

Tony that's great! I will have to try your method some time.

I was curious, your seed looks just like my Perrieri seed, not warty-or is it and I can't tell in the picture. I suspect mine is a Superbum India, or not? Do you think yours is a Perrieri?

Re: Seed germination using GA3
 

These seed are marked as Perrieri. I couldn't tell you for sure whether they are or not.

Re: Seed germination using GA3
 

Re: Seed germination using GA3
 

Re: Seed germination using GA3
 

But these were not germinated with GA-3 right?

Kind regards,
Remko.

Re: Seed germination using GA3
 

Right.No GA-3 , soaking or scarifying

Re: Seed germination using GA3
 

Re: Seed germination using GA3
 

Re: Seed germination using GA3
 

im jealous sunfish!! great starts on new nanners...:08:
no signs of any sprouts on my seeds.. yet.. but not giving up..
i appreciate the experience from all here.. newbie here.. but
enthusiastic.. LOL

Re: Seed germination using GA3
 

Tony I was wondering about your pic below with the seed that sprouted but no roots on the plate. Do you plant them in individual cups when you find them like that before they have roots? I usually waited to take them out until they had roots and 2 leaves. But just a couple days ago I found an Ensete Gilletii seed that had just sprouted in my Ensete Superbum pot! So I pulled it out and out it in its own 3 inch pot. I checked the others and found 4 more, sprouted with no roots. So I put them in pots before they had roots. I was wondering if this method was ok adn if that was what you did.

Thanks!
Eric