mrbungalow

But where's the light coming from?

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douglas gray

they are taken out every shift and placed on a clip folder ontop of the radiator which is next to the window. I work mostly nights however but the artificial strip lights in the office seem to be doing the trick - see my latest picture .....

now I just need to bin all my work folders to find some more night storage room !!!!!

stretch

I liked everyone's ideas about makeshift greenhouses...I have 4 musa laliocarpa seeds planted right now (planted in Feb.) in a small plastic pot with a quart size bag over the pot secured by a rubberband. I keep it in a south window where it gets sunshine throughout the day (whenever its out, we've had alot of rain and some snow in VA here of lately) and at night I keep the pot on a heating blanket set on a low setting. Not your conventional method, I agree...I just hope these seeds germinate. Can anyone tell me what I need to do if these germinate (should I leave them to get bigger or put them in individual containers?) and also what kind of soil to use...I've read that potting soil isn't recommended...any help you guys could give me would be greatly appreciated!!! Thanks...

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stretch

douglas gray

I'm a novice myself stretch but I have found that unless there is breathing room the soil stays wet/damp too long and the plant will get to a certain size, then die (I know this now!!). A mix with perlite allows this, so you can water regular but it also allows to drain a breathe properly. Try a search on this site, you'll be guaranteed to find something from one of the people here who really know what theyre talking about....
As for when to repot, I would like to know to. my plants are outgrowing theyre containers they germinated in, however they are nowhere near rootbound, far from it, so I am leaving for now..anyone else advise ??

stretch

Thanks for your response Doug! I checked the seeds yesterday out of curiosity (I was sure none of them had germinated yet) and so happened to find one of them; it was as hard as a rock! What a disappointment! I went to Evergreen's on Fri. and spotted a Meyers lemon tree in bloom; the scent was beautiful...also I saw a coconut palm seedling (odd looking thing, it was) the old coco. was partially submerged in the soil and a branch was coming out of the coconut!

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stretch

weirdone66

just wanted to let everyone know that u can get grow light bulbs at home depot or lows that would prob work better then a heating pad. we tryed to grown some bananire plants but they never worked out we want to try again anyone have any ideas what type of pot and lid to use so it can stay moist thnxs so much.

douglas gray

any old plastic pot with clingfilm over the top or perferabley just in a plastic bag tied off to keep humidity. If your looking for (success and new as I am) try Ensete Ventricosum. They take about 2-4 weeks to germinate, and quick growers with relative ease. Stick them in a small pot (compost & perlite), water through then place in a clear plastic bag and stick them in your airing cupbaord. My airing cupboard generally has lows of 21 degrees and highs of 28, plus ensete seem to do fine germinating in light or no light and static temperatures .....

I have cracked germinating palms and a few types of banana, now I'm trying to keep thenm alive !!!!!!