marksbananas

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.

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Just Bananas about Bananas

bigdog

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.

damaclese

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

marksbananas

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

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Just Bananas about Bananas

Chironex

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

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Scot


"Grow 'em if ya got 'em!"