Tog Tan

JenRi, I do quite a decent number of seeds a month as part of my seedling program. Wherever you may be, if you can have a temp of what Scot says, it should be ok. Though I live in the tropics, it may seem easier but I have mucho problems trying to do temperate species!

I chose spots in my nursery with a day temp of 90+F and 80F at night. Sds are sown into clear plastic boxes with a moist seed mix. Then the lid is kept on. Please do not forget to tag the details on the boxes such as date of sowing, species, etc. With viable sds most musa will sprout in a mth or so though some are more stubborn. With the lid on, there is no moisture lost and visually you can see if there is any progress through the clear boxes.

Once they sprout, I leave them in the box until they get taller than the height of the box. Do not be too impatient to pot them. Let them grow a while more in a humid environment by putting the box with the lid off in a clear zip lock bag. I usually let them grow to 4/5 leaves before potting them. In this way you can maintain a constant environment for them. Also, you don't have to worry about the watering whether its excessive or insufficient. I hope this helps.

Seeds are sown into clear plastic boxes and sealed. All you have to do is to look out for sprouts.


As the sdlg grows, the lid is removed and the box put into a ziplock bag. This high humidity environment will allow the sdlg to grow further before potting.



This is one the areas which have a good day/night temp for germination of sds.

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Tog Tan has sadly suddenly passed away 6/16/09. We will miss you Tog Tan.

mskitty38583

ok now im sick....lol! i thought i had it bad! looks like i better get a move on. your place is my idea of heaven!!!!!!!!!!!

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WELCOME TO THE GATOR NATION

JenRi

Chironex - thanks for that info, that makes me feel better about electricity bills!

TogTan - wow thats some collection, are they all banana plants?

I like your way, it seems a bit easier to fit into an already crowded room....I'm thinking i'll probably only germinate some blood banana seeds and the type that can produce bananas in england...is it cavendish? Do you think if I bought some Tupperware, a thermometer and some fairy lights I have a fair chance of success?

Thankyou

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Regrettably I remain banana-less.....

Chironex

As far as Zebrina is concerned, I have read articles that they like it constantly warm. Like around 85-90 F
Banana seeds are unpredictable, some will germinate right away, others take their sweet time, some not at all. It is par for the course.

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Scot

Tog Tan

Hi JenRi,
Well, as long as you can provide the humidity and temp, viable sds will germinate, sooner or later!

Only the boxes have musa sds. I keep the palm sdlgs up top in their community boxes to adapt to the ambient environment before they are planted separately at my nursery. I have a seedling program of which I germinate at least 1,000 sds of various plants(mostly palms) monthly. Getting your sds from a reliable source is very important. I have bought from others in the past of which many batches had zero germn!
All the best to your 'germy' trials!

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Tog Tan has sadly suddenly passed away 6/16/09. We will miss you Tog Tan.

missg

Tog Tan, I love your set-up for germinating bananas and other seeds. I have tried to grow Bananas in the pass with no success, now I understand why. I'm thinking about trying again.
I would like to ask you, what kind soil or what are you planning you seeds in. Once you put the seed in soil into the boxes do you place them under a grow light, are they on a heat mat.
I notice that you said, "Getting your sds from a reliable source is very important. I have bought from others in the past of which many batches had zero germn"! What would be a good company to buy seeds from. I thank you for any info you can give.
Gale

Tog Tan

Gale, the two basics you need for germination of most seeds are humidity (80+%) and heat (approx 90+F - 100+F). In my case where I am, the ambient temp takes care of the heat I need. I maintain the humidity by having sealed boxes. If they are germinated with the open cell trays, the humidity is inconsistent.

Soil - I am no high tech guy. After observing how the 'naner sds germinate in the wild, I am convinced that if a seed is viable, it pops up anywhere given the right condition. I use any soil which is porous enough for the new roots to get in. You can use the normal seed starter mix. Moist but not wet. When you squeeze it, it should have a drop or two of water coming out.

Many seed sellers get big shipments of the stock from the suppliers who in turn take their time to achieve the stock before shipping. Seed wholesale is not lucrative and you have to sell alot to get decent money. This means many seeds are kept way too long before they finally reach the purchaser, you. Such lots, even if they are listed as fresh, just arrived, if you are lucky, you may get 3/100 and most of the time 0/100.

I check out my sources thoroughly before I buy. Not because of the $ spent but I really hate to waste my time waiting on duds! Currently I am only buying from Markus Senger of Germany.

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Tog Tan has sadly suddenly passed away 6/16/09. We will miss you Tog Tan.

Ueberwinden

I have a banana seed source on the west coast I just placed a small order with ,I will let you know how it goes, they might turn out to be a good source of banana seed.

Michael

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White Horticulture
Rare, Tropical, Unique

Kylie2x

Tog!!! Move over I am movin in!!! Awesome!!!!
Kylie

Ueberwinden

Kylie,

I have some of those seeds (the bananas right now) you sent me in coir right now and on a mat. I checked the temp inside the container last night and the coir temp was almost 100!! I lower the temp a little and will check it again when I get home tonight(I'm at work right now). I think 100 would roast them instead of germinate them.

Michael

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White Horticulture
Rare, Tropical, Unique

Tog Tan

Oi Kylie, you better think twice, I have lots of plants but only 1 bed!

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Tog Tan has sadly suddenly passed away 6/16/09. We will miss you Tog Tan.

Bob

Here's what your basement looks like when you want every thing and don't plan accordingly. Actually I'm moving the banana/palm/ cardoon/agave....etc seeds upstairs this weekend to put over a heater on plastic"egg crate" used for ventilation.

There's a heat mat under this mess and a small metal halide above. I've been doing tomatoes this way for 20 years with great success.

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adrift

Bob,

I admire Tog's organization, but must admit that my system is similar to yours.

KJ

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I've got to stop asking people, "How stupid can you be." People are taking it as a challenge.

Tog Tan

Oi, me thinks it basically the results which you get that counts! I am using the rack which was originally my cacti growing rack. I didn't purposely get it done as a germination station. You guys are definitely on the right track.

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Tog Tan has sadly suddenly passed away 6/16/09. We will miss you Tog Tan.

Ueberwinden

This is an update to my post earlier in the week about a possible West Coast Banana Seed supplier. My seeds arrived today in the mail, Shipping was quick. I received 11 Sikkimensis ordered 10, 10 Ensente Glaucum ordered 10, 12 Cheesmani ordered 10 and 8 Zebrina ordered none, you gotta love free banana seeds!! This was a trial order to see if this is a reliable banana seed supplier. They also offer lots of 100, 1,000 10,000 and 100,000 on some varieties of seed. So far I am impressed, but the true test is in how many will germinate. I'll let you know what happens. If all goes well they also carry Palm seeds,Succulent seeds, Cyads seed, and various other Tropical seeds.

Michael

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White Horticulture
Rare, Tropical, Unique

missg

Michael, Please keep us informed, if everything works out I will be placing a order.
Gale