timmko

I would like any information on a way to germinate the seeds. I have been looking at some other posts but would like some suggestions for a begginner. I just ordered a dozen seeds today. Thanks

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jmoore

This is how I do it others will have other methods.

Soak the seeds for 7 days in cooled boiled water, changing water daily.

half fill a deli box, or something with a lid, with vermiculite and soak the vermiculite, drain off any excess water.

place seeds in the box, no need to cover them and put the lid on.

keep them warm for 12 hours ie 30 degrees, then keep them cool for the other 12 ie about 15 - 18 degrees, repeat this cycle daily.

check for signs of germination every couple of days. Once they start to germinate take them out and plant them in a free draining compost and give them a warm constant temperature with high humidity.

I think you may need more than 12 seeds. It's so frustrating waiting for seeds that will not germinate (because there are many on the market). Hope you're lucky.

timmko

The temeperature is Ferenheit I take it??

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jmoore

No centigrade sorry

Bob

I've had luck with Darjeeling giant seeds just leaving them in a deli container filled with seed starting mix and left on a heat mat. If the seed is fresh you should expect some success.

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sandy0225

The way I got mine to come up was soak them in water for about a week, changing the water whenever I thought of it, at least once a day. I soaked them on top of my Bunn coffeemaker, so the water stayed warm. Then planted them in Promix pgx with biofungicide in new pots I dipped the pots in a 2 T Physan 20 to one gallon of water dip before planting as a precaution. Then put them into a new no-holes flat and covered with a germination dome on a heat mat. I located the heat mat on the basement floor kind of near the door to outside where the floor temp was cold to my feet. I set it on a timer with 8 hours on and the rest off. I had several germinate that way out of 100, I don't know how fresh the seeds were because that is always a gamble when you order them. I think I had 25/100. was happy with that.

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Sandy Burrell



Northern Tropics Greenhouse
1501 East Fuson Road
Muncie, IN 47302
www.northerntropics.com


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Anaxagoras

It's always nice to read about success with banana germination.

timmko

I planted 200 about a month ago. I have 2 sprouts one about 3 days ago and 1 today. The first one however turned brown and I assume perished. What do I need to do after they sprout? I have them in the mini greenhouse 72 count planters with a cover. The soil is pretty wet and I am afraid that is the problem. I have them also under heat mats. Do they need indirect light and a bit of dryer soil?? Should I take them out after they sprout and replant them or leave the cover off the minigreenhouses to let the soil dry out a bit. I used miracle grow seed mix and it seems if I didn't keep the soil wet it would get very dry fast (think because of the heat mats). THanks for any help you might have I am hoping for a lot more sprouts and don't want to kill them.

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JuniPerez

I use Jiffy trays (the ones with the compressed peat tabs) similar to the ones shown below:


I also buy the tabs alone and use them in small rubbermaid trays (especially when I use them in my fridge).

So far it has worked well for me since I still don't have the advanced equipment or greenhouse OR space I see others have.