ScottEK

So after about two months and many seeds I finally have my first banana seedling. After many unsuccessful attempts I started to become sloppy with my seed journal. I think this seed was planted around 2 weeks ago in what looks like a combination of Miracle Gro Seed Starting Mix and Perlite.

I had written off this batch of test cups as most of all of them had the soil turn a shade of green. Upon checking today I noticed I had a healthy looking seedling! Now I'm concerned though...

With the soil looking how it does should I transplant this seedling now to a better environment? These are the materials I have available to choose from for a new soil:

• Perlite
• Miracle Gro Seed Starting Mix
• Jiffy Organic Seed Starting Mix
• Miracle Gro Palm and Cactus Mix
• Miracle Gro Moisture Control Potting Mix
• Miracle Gro Sphagnum Peat Moss

Thanks,
Scott

Blake09

I would leave it for now... until its first leaf or so.

__________________

A banana plant in the autumn gale -
I listen to the dripping of rain
Into a basin at night.
~ Basho Matsuo (1644- 1694)

LilRaverBoi

Yeah, I'd leave it for now as well. As far as the soils listed go, I'm not familiar with a few of them, but definitely do NOT use anything labeled with 'moisture control' as it contains a gel that retains moisture.....and bananas like well-draining soil. IMO, the cactus soil will be the best bet for you, or something like regular miracle grow amended with perlite.

__________________
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!

Max363

Hey Scott - Congrats on your first ensete baby! I can appreciate your excitement. After first growing bananas from bought seedlings for a few years, early last spring I got ten ensete seeds on ebay from the far east. After spending a lot of time on internet research using many of the suggested techniques for germination, one of the ten seeds germinated in 18 days. While I was perturbed at first that it was the only one to germinate, I realized that made it all the more valued by me. Anyway I'll agree with the others here. I had all 10 of my seeds in one 9x12" tray and I didn't move the one which germinated until it was 3" or so in height - btw they grow fast! Then I put it in very fast draining soil, letting it dry slightly yet watering it often enough to keep it hydrated and growing. Of course for me that was more difficult in a barely sunny often drafty March here in PA. But with germination at this time of the year -some weeks from now, as soon as it is big enough to thrive outside (eventually in full sun), you will have little to worry about regarding soil or overwatering. Once off to a good start and after gaining some plant and root size, ensetes are strong vigorous adaptive plants no matter where you live. Here are pics of my baby:
4-8-09

4-23-09

same ensete this year 6-18-10

__________________

ScottEK

Thought I would do an update. It's felt like this thing has been around for weeks but I guess it's been 4 days since my original post. Definitely growing fast and looks healthy!

NeedForSeed

Holy crap! Max, is that really the same plant just 2 months later???

btw nice looking seedling Scott!

__________________
¡Totalmente loco!