refrigerated banana seeds

BGreen · 10-18-2007, 08:41 PM

Since I have started to set up several areas for germinating banana seeds, I figured I might as well add several more species to the list. One supplier I have talked to, has refrigerating their ensete seeds. I was under the impression that this would kill the seed. Am I wrong?

BGreen · 10-20-2007, 07:56 AM

After spending way to much time on google

I found this paper on banana seed germination and storage.
"Germination and storage of banana seeds" by Chin, HF.,1996

His conclusion:
Banana seed dried properly can be stored at below freezing temps.
If the moisture content on the seed is below 10% they can even be stored in liquid nitrogen for 12 months, with 44% of the seed still germinating. All seeds stored with a moisture content of 16% and 29% failed to germinate after 3 month storage at the -196C temps. At 6 months he still had 65% and 58% germination with seeds containing 10% and 16% moisture, while seeds with 29% moisture were 0% at 6 months.

He also said with the proper drying banana seeds can remain viable for 2 years. And I read somewhere that ensete seed have remain viable for 25years in the ground before the dirt was disturbed and germination took place!

It was also noted that seed viability can be tested using a 0.5% solution of tetrazolium chloride. The seed embryo will stain red in viable seed.

sandy0225 · 10-20-2007, 06:48 PM

Most seed will keep longer if it's refrigerated, but not frozen. A lot of greenhouse growers buy larger packets of seed because it's cheaper, then keep a special seed refrig to keep them all in. I've got one. The germination rates seem to be nearly the same as fresh on "regular" seeds, petunias, pansies, tomatoes, beans, etc. A lot of perennial plant seeds will actually germinate better if stored at 38-40 degrees for 5-6 months, and then planted.
Didn't know about bananas though.
Cool info!

mrbungalow · 10-22-2007, 11:46 AM

Well, take a look at this!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Svalbard_Global_Seed_Vault

the flying dutchman · 10-22-2007, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrbungalow

Well, take a look at this!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Svalbard_Global_Seed_Vault

The Norwegian version of the Ark of Noach, those things make life more
fun. It will be handy as we are also able to clone people who can eat it after doomsday.

Just kidding, Erlend, I think its not a bad idea, hope we don't need it.

Ron

10-18-2007, 08:41 PM	#1 (permalink)
BGreen Digger Extraordinaire BGreen's Photo Gallery Location: Kansas Find me on the map! Zone: Zone 5b/6a Name: Ben Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 296 BananaBucks : 117,649 Feedback: 2 / 100% Said "Thanks" 19 Times Was Thanked 45 Times in 29 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	refrigerated banana seeds Since I have started to set up several areas for germinating banana seeds, I figured I might as well add several more species to the list. One supplier I have talked to, has refrigerating their ensete seeds. I was under the impression that this would kill the seed. Am I wrong? __________________ Take care, BGreen

10-20-2007, 07:56 AM	#2 (permalink)
BGreen Digger Extraordinaire BGreen's Photo Gallery Location: Kansas Find me on the map! Zone: Zone 5b/6a Name: Ben Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 296 BananaBucks : 117,649 Feedback: 2 / 100% Said "Thanks" 19 Times Was Thanked 45 Times in 29 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: refrigerated banana seeds After spending way to much time on google I found this paper on banana seed germination and storage. "Germination and storage of banana seeds" by Chin, HF.,1996 His conclusion: Banana seed dried properly can be stored at below freezing temps. If the moisture content on the seed is below 10% they can even be stored in liquid nitrogen for 12 months, with 44% of the seed still germinating. All seeds stored with a moisture content of 16% and 29% failed to germinate after 3 month storage at the -196C temps. At 6 months he still had 65% and 58% germination with seeds containing 10% and 16% moisture, while seeds with 29% moisture were 0% at 6 months. He also said with the proper drying banana seeds can remain viable for 2 years. And I read somewhere that ensete seed have remain viable for 25years in the ground before the dirt was disturbed and germination took place! It was also noted that seed viability can be tested using a 0.5% solution of tetrazolium chloride. The seed embryo will stain red in viable seed. __________________ Take care, BGreen Last edited by BGreen : 10-20-2007 at 01:04 PM. Reason: addtion of information

10-20-2007, 06:48 PM	#3 (permalink)
sandy0225 Northern Tropics sandy0225's Photo Gallery Location: Muncie, Indiana zone 5 Find me on the map! Zone: zone 5 Name: Sandy Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 1,718 BananaBucks : 364,299 Feedback: 31 / 97% Said "Thanks" 38 Times Was Thanked 1,801 Times in 682 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 9 Times	Re: refrigerated banana seeds Most seed will keep longer if it's refrigerated, but not frozen. A lot of greenhouse growers buy larger packets of seed because it's cheaper, then keep a special seed refrig to keep them all in. I've got one. The germination rates seem to be nearly the same as fresh on "regular" seeds, petunias, pansies, tomatoes, beans, etc. A lot of perennial plant seeds will actually germinate better if stored at 38-40 degrees for 5-6 months, and then planted. Didn't know about bananas though. Cool info! __________________ Sandy Burrell Northern Tropics Greenhouse 1501 East Fuson Road Muncie, IN 47302 www.northerntropics.com specializing in bananas, heirloom tomatoes and water gardening plants~ check out our new online store at our website!

10-22-2007, 11:46 AM	#4 (permalink)
mrbungalow Freezing member mrbungalow's Photo Gallery Location: Bergen, Norway Find me on the map! Zone: 8 Name: Erlend Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 598 BananaBucks : 51,766 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 14 Times Was Thanked 165 Times in 78 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 3 Times	Re: refrigerated banana seeds Well, take a look at this! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Svalbard_Global_Seed_Vault __________________

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