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Kaye-ccf · 01-23-2010, 09:22 PM

Thanks for sharing the info about how your different methods worked! I had good results at the beginning, especially in the seed sprouter, but also in soil after soaking. The first batch germinated well, but subsequent ones, whether in the sprouter, soaking in water, or planted in soil after soaking did not fare as well.

I'm thinking that the earlier collected seeds were more viable. Remember I'm in Zone 7b and we had a late frost/freeze, which allowed me to collect loads of seeds. The subsequent seeds had a much poorer germination rate. I just threw out a few hundred seeds that I gave up on. So including your results, I think that seeds collected earlier (before cooler temps) and sprouted in moisture have the best germination rate.

And I am aware that those lucky souls who live in warmer zones and consider velutina to be a weed think I'm silly to be trying so hard to understand how to propagate these. But I love the pink flowers and bananas! I think they are a very desirable garden plant, especially for those of us who are limited in the selection of bananas hardy to our zones. Those of us in Zone 7 love to find plants that give us a tropical look and will also overwinter without extreme measures.

01-23-2010, 09:22 PM	#23 (permalink)
Kaye-ccf Location: Seagrove, NC Find me on the map! Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 16 BananaBucks : 5,396 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3 Times Was Thanked 13 Times in 5 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1 Times	Re: Propagating Musa Velutina Seeds Thanks for sharing the info about how your different methods worked! I had good results at the beginning, especially in the seed sprouter, but also in soil after soaking. The first batch germinated well, but subsequent ones, whether in the sprouter, soaking in water, or planted in soil after soaking did not fare as well. I'm thinking that the earlier collected seeds were more viable. Remember I'm in Zone 7b and we had a late frost/freeze, which allowed me to collect loads of seeds. The subsequent seeds had a much poorer germination rate. I just threw out a few hundred seeds that I gave up on. So including your results, I think that seeds collected earlier (before cooler temps) and sprouted in moisture have the best germination rate. And I am aware that those lucky souls who live in warmer zones and consider velutina to be a weed think I'm silly to be trying so hard to understand how to propagate these. But I love the pink flowers and bananas! I think they are a very desirable garden plant, especially for those of us who are limited in the selection of bananas hardy to our zones. Those of us in Zone 7 love to find plants that give us a tropical look and will also overwinter without extreme measures.