New Member Needs Help

Kaye-ccf · 10-29-2009, 05:56 PM

Hello,

I recently joined your group so I can learn more about bananas, especially propagation by seed. I've been growing about 5 or 6 different kinds of bananas that are hardy here for about 5 years. I'm in Zone 7/8 in North Carolina. We used to be Zone 7, but now we're warming up to Zone 8.

I have a huge musa velutina that has loads of pink bananas. The peelings on all of the bananas in one clump have broken open. At what point do I harvest the seed? Then how do I treat them to get germination? I have purchased seeds before but had no success. I have read that the seed need to be fresh and now I definitely have fresh seed.

Ten days ago I removed the seeds from one banana that had split open, soaked them for 24 hours and then planted in a seed starting mix. Nothing has happened yet. After reading comments here, I'm considering using bottom heat during the day. They are indoors in plastic with a consistent temperature of around 75F.

Any advice about when to collect and how to start seeds will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Kaye-ccf

LilRaverBoi · 10-29-2009, 08:39 PM

Welcome to the site! You've come to the right place to learn about bananas! Hope you enjoy your time here!

Abnshrek · 10-29-2009, 09:16 PM

Welcome.. & good luck

Kaye-ccf · 10-29-2009, 09:27 PM

Thanks for the welcome. I hope you all can bear with me while I learn my way around here!

stumpy4700 · 10-29-2009, 09:36 PM

Welcome to the site. I don't have any first hand knowledge but I've read prior post and it takes awhile for them to germinate. Good Luck

austinl01 · 10-29-2009, 09:45 PM

It sounds like you are doing everything right. Separate the seeds from the pulp. I like to break up the banana and put it in a plastic baggy filled with water. I let it sit like that for a few days to ferment. This lets the seeds separate from the pulp more easily. Then, you can use a strainer to help even more. Let the seeds dry for a day and then sow them in a pot or use the baggy method of germination. Keep warm about 75-80 degrees. They may germinate within a month or many months (up to 6 or more!). You must have lots of patience with banana seeds.

cherokee_greg · 10-29-2009, 11:22 PM

welcome from California

Kaye-ccf · 10-30-2009, 07:54 AM

Thanks for the specific info, Austin! Maybe by next spring I'll have lots of baby pink bananas.
Kaye

Eric · 10-30-2009, 11:14 PM

Welcome aboard, Kaye-ccf

! Looks like you're well on ur way! Haven't tried growing from seed, myself, but if ya have any questions about using the forum, just ask.

Kaye-ccf · 10-31-2009, 07:04 AM

Thanks for the welcome, Eric! I'm starting more banana seeds today. Surely, some of them will sprout.

Kaye

conejov · 10-31-2009, 07:20 AM

Welcome to the org. This place is full of great info you can always do search and its not on here just ask!

Abnshrek · 10-31-2009, 10:18 AM

I have some EV on the HP but they have only been on it for 10 days or so..

Kaye-ccf · 10-31-2009, 11:22 AM

Hey Abnshrek,

Is that Ensete ventricosum on the heating pad?

Kaye

austinl01 · 10-31-2009, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaye-ccf

Thanks for the specific info, Austin! Maybe by next spring I'll have lots of baby pink bananas.
Kaye

You're welcome, Kaye. I wish you lots of luck germinating the seed. Check out my pics of velutina in my photo album.

Kaye-ccf · 10-31-2009, 05:31 PM

WOW, Austin! You have some major banana clumps! I loved the photos in your albums. How do you ever dig them up? It took 3 of us to dig up 2 clumps last weekend and get them divided and potted. And they'd only been in the ground since spring. We didn't even attempt the velutina because it was massive, being in the ground for 2 years. That's one reason I want to get some seeds started.

Your palm tree is outstanding too! I planted one next to the velutina at the same time, but it's only about 4' tall now. I also put a eucalyptus in that area too, and it has spread out all over.

Kaye

CValentine · 11-01-2009, 12:41 PM

Welcome Kaye!!
LOVE the Velutina!!

Look forward to seeing your pictures of them!!
Glad to have you with us!!

~Cheryl

palmtree · 11-01-2009, 04:31 PM

Welcome.
Banana seeds take a while to germinate, and like lots of heat while germinating. I would deifnately use the bottom heater because they will need a push to get them going. It might be a while before you see some sprouts, but by this time next year you should have some nice plants.

Good luck.

Kaye-ccf · 11-01-2009, 04:41 PM

Hi Palmtree,

Thanks for the note. I'm putting the ones I've sown on the heat today. I'm also trying to sprout a few with a seed sprouter. I've started other seeds, mainly lemons, this way. Has anyone tried that?

austinl01 · 11-01-2009, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaye-ccf

WOW, Austin! You have some major banana clumps! I loved the photos in your albums. How do you ever dig them up? It took 3 of us to dig up 2 clumps last weekend and get them divided and potted. And they'd only been in the ground since spring. We didn't even attempt the velutina because it was massive, being in the ground for 2 years. That's one reason I want to get some seeds started.

Your palm tree is outstanding too! I planted one next to the velutina at the same time, but it's only about 4' tall now. I also put a eucalyptus in that area too, and it has spread out all over.

Kaye

Hi, Kaye. I'm glad you enjoyed my photos. I leave my hardy bananas in the ground--basjoo, musella, velutina--but dig up the nonhardy edible ones--orinoco, raja puri, etc to save the trunks and try to get them to produce bananas for me.

10-29-2009, 05:56 PM	#1 (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	New Member Needs Help Hello, I recently joined your group so I can learn more about bananas, especially propagation by seed. I've been growing about 5 or 6 different kinds of bananas that are hardy here for about 5 years. I'm in Zone 7/8 in North Carolina. We used to be Zone 7, but now we're warming up to Zone 8. I have a huge musa velutina that has loads of pink bananas. The peelings on all of the bananas in one clump have broken open. At what point do I harvest the seed? Then how do I treat them to get germination? I have purchased seeds before but had no success. I have read that the seed need to be fresh and now I definitely have fresh seed. Ten days ago I removed the seeds from one banana that had split open, soaked them for 24 hours and then planted in a seed starting mix. Nothing has happened yet. After reading comments here, I'm considering using bottom heat during the day. They are indoors in plastic with a consistent temperature of around 75F. Any advice about when to collect and how to start seeds will be greatly appreciated. Thanks! Kaye-ccf

10-29-2009, 08:39 PM	#2 (permalink)
LilRaverBoi Nanner Time! LilRaverBoi's Photo Gallery Location: Cedar Rapids, IA Find me on the map! Zone: 5 Name: Bryan Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 2,937 BananaBucks : 160,225 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 534 Times Was Thanked 2,243 Times in 1,245 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 855 Times	Re: New Member Needs Help Welcome to the site! You've come to the right place to learn about bananas! Hope you enjoy your time here! __________________ BANANA RAVE! Feel the beat from start to stop, dancin' and movin' from bottom to top! lilraverboi@genxglow.com RIP Tog Tan. We love you and will always remember you! I'm Bryan with a Y! There is no 'I' in BRYAN!

10-29-2009, 09:16 PM	#3 (permalink)
Abnshrek Happy Growing Abnshrek's Photo Gallery Location: Beaumont Texas Find me on the map! Zone: 8b, but 9b weather.. Name: Migael / Michael Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 9,493 BananaBucks : 349,039 Feedback: 45 / 100% Said "Thanks" 10,447 Times Was Thanked 16,443 Times in 5,238 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2,318 Times	Re: New Member Needs Help Welcome.. & good luck __________________ I'm a Nannerhead :^)

10-29-2009, 09:27 PM	#4 (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: New Member Needs Help Thanks for the welcome. I hope you all can bear with me while I learn my way around here!

10-29-2009, 09:36 PM	#5 (permalink)
stumpy4700 Going Ape for Bananas stumpy4700's Photo Gallery Location: Satellite Beach, Fla Find me on the map! Zone: Zone 10 Name: Stumpy-----a.k.a Jeff Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 1,194 BananaBucks : 63,636 Feedback: 3 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1,353 Times Was Thanked 678 Times in 349 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1,300 Times	Re: New Member Needs Help Welcome to the site. I don't have any first hand knowledge but I've read prior post and it takes awhile for them to germinate. Good Luck

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10-29-2009, 09:45 PM	#6 (permalink)
austinl01 Got pink bananas? austinl01's Photo Gallery Location: Little Rock, AR Find me on the map! Zone: 7b/8a Line Name: Austin Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,288 BananaBucks : 284,453 Feedback: 13 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1,590 Times Was Thanked 908 Times in 398 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 507 Times	Re: New Member Needs Help It sounds like you are doing everything right. Separate the seeds from the pulp. I like to break up the banana and put it in a plastic baggy filled with water. I let it sit like that for a few days to ferment. This lets the seeds separate from the pulp more easily. Then, you can use a strainer to help even more. Let the seeds dry for a day and then sow them in a pot or use the baggy method of germination. Keep warm about 75-80 degrees. They may germinate within a month or many months (up to 6 or more!). You must have lots of patience with banana seeds. __________________ Austin Arkansas River Valley Average January Low: 31°F, Average August High: 92°F Extreme Winter Lows: 5-15°F, Extreme Summer Highs: 100-112°F, Annual Precipitation: 52 inches

10-29-2009, 11:22 PM	#7 (permalink)
cherokee_greg Love those bananas cherokee_greg's Photo Gallery Location: Fresno,CA Find me on the map! Zone: zone 9 Name: Greg Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 4,357 BananaBucks : 382,610 Feedback: 2 / 100% Said "Thanks" 8,066 Times Was Thanked 3,946 Times in 1,665 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 335 Times	Re: New Member Needs Help welcome from California __________________ Greg zone 9 Fresno,CA http://gardenjot.com/garden/view/1980/Gregs-Banana-Farm

10-30-2009, 07:54 AM	#8 (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: New Member Needs Help Thanks for the specific info, Austin! Maybe by next spring I'll have lots of baby pink bananas. Kaye

10-30-2009, 11:14 PM	#9 (permalink)
Eric Banned Eric's Photo Gallery Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 2,759 BananaBucks : 185,070 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 1,364 Times Was Thanked 856 Times in 421 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 163 Times	Re: New Member Needs Help Welcome aboard, Kaye-ccf ! Looks like you're well on ur way! Haven't tried growing from seed, myself, but if ya have any questions about using the forum, just ask.

10-31-2009, 07:04 AM	#10 (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: New Member Needs Help Thanks for the welcome, Eric! I'm starting more banana seeds today. Surely, some of them will sprout. Kaye

10-31-2009, 07:20 AM	#11 (permalink)
conejov Rabid Nanner Location: Houston, Tx Zone: 9 Name: Alex Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 559 BananaBucks : 114,712 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 40 Times Was Thanked 374 Times in 218 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 107 Times	Re: New Member Needs Help Welcome to the org. This place is full of great info you can always do search and its not on here just ask! __________________

10-31-2009, 10:18 AM	#12 (permalink)
Abnshrek Happy Growing Abnshrek's Photo Gallery Location: Beaumont Texas Find me on the map! Zone: 8b, but 9b weather.. Name: Migael / Michael Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 9,493 BananaBucks : 349,039 Feedback: 45 / 100% Said "Thanks" 10,447 Times Was Thanked 16,443 Times in 5,238 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2,318 Times	Re: New Member Needs Help I have some EV on the HP but they have only been on it for 10 days or so.. __________________ I'm a Nannerhead :^)

10-31-2009, 11:22 AM	#13 (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: New Member Needs Help Hey Abnshrek, Is that Ensete ventricosum on the heating pad? Kaye

10-31-2009, 05:31 PM	#15 (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: New Member Needs Help WOW, Austin! You have some major banana clumps! I loved the photos in your albums. How do you ever dig them up? It took 3 of us to dig up 2 clumps last weekend and get them divided and potted. And they'd only been in the ground since spring. We didn't even attempt the velutina because it was massive, being in the ground for 2 years. That's one reason I want to get some seeds started. Your palm tree is outstanding too! I planted one next to the velutina at the same time, but it's only about 4' tall now. I also put a eucalyptus in that area too, and it has spread out all over. Kaye

11-01-2009, 12:41 PM	#16 (permalink)
CValentine Prolific Epistemologist CValentine's Photo Gallery Location: Bell County, Texas Find me on the map! Zone: 8b Name: Che Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 3,846 BananaBucks : 224,687 Feedback: 4 / 100% Said "Thanks" 7,127 Times Was Thanked 1,782 Times in 625 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 362 Times	Re: New Member Needs Help Welcome Kaye!! LOVE the Velutina!! Look forward to seeing your pictures of them!! Glad to have you with us!! ~Cheryl __________________ When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace. - Jimi Hendrix

11-01-2009, 04:31 PM	#17 (permalink)
palmtree palmtree's Photo Gallery Location: New York City Find me on the map! Zone: 7b Name: Alex C Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 1,016 BananaBucks : 133,470 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 1,492 Times Was Thanked 1,428 Times in 644 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 103 Times	Re: New Member Needs Help Welcome. Banana seeds take a while to germinate, and like lots of heat while germinating. I would deifnately use the bottom heater because they will need a push to get them going. It might be a while before you see some sprouts, but by this time next year you should have some nice plants. Good luck. __________________ Location: New York City, zone 7b

11-01-2009, 04:41 PM	#18 (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: New Member Needs Help Hi Palmtree, Thanks for the note. I'm putting the ones I've sown on the heat today. I'm also trying to sprout a few with a seed sprouter. I've started other seeds, mainly lemons, this way. Has anyone tried that?

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