Seed Soaking

nick59349 · 03-14-2009, 02:59 PM

I forgot to soak my seeds before planting them. Is this required for germination or will they just take longer?

I am really new to the banana environment. Last year I inherited 3 plants from my father in law that moved to Costa Rica and did not want to take the plant with him. This winter was really cold and I cut them down, covered the bases with leaves and put them in my shed to keep them from freezing when we had our cold snap back in December (10 degrees for a week). Needless to say the stems froze solid and died, I think the roots may have survived but I won't know until it gets warmer (I'm told). I cut them down at soil level and they looked like they were still alive, at least they were not gooey like the rest.

I was so happy with the way the plants made my front yard look I decided to grow some new ones in case the roots did not survive so I ordered some seeds from seedman and followed the instructions, unfortunately the first three words were "Plant seeds imediately!" After reading here I see that I should have soaked them so that is why I am asking the question because I planted about 60 seeds (various species of Musa's) and I was hoping not to have to dig them up again.

I appreciate any advise. Thanks.

Nick

Chironex · 03-15-2009, 05:57 PM

Soaking is not vital. It just seems to help speed things up sometimes. Some banana seeds are just tough to get to germinate unless you live in Malaysia - Tog, you listening? Everything seems to germinate easily there, but here it can be tougher. Good luck!

nick59349 · 03-15-2009, 06:06 PM

I was hoping that was the case. Thanks alot!

Nick

bdollarbill · 04-12-2009, 09:16 AM

Just pretend you don't care if they grow or not, then they will sprout up like weeds.

Good luck
Bill

Chironex · 04-12-2009, 01:48 PM

That is unless they are M. ingens or E. perrieri! They seem to take decades.

03-14-2009, 02:59 PM	#1 (permalink)
nick59349 Location: Seattle, WA. Find me on the map! Zone: 8-9 Name: Nick Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 6 BananaBucks : 10,216 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 4 Times Was Thanked 7 Times in 3 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Seed Soaking I forgot to soak my seeds before planting them. Is this required for germination or will they just take longer? I am really new to the banana environment. Last year I inherited 3 plants from my father in law that moved to Costa Rica and did not want to take the plant with him. This winter was really cold and I cut them down, covered the bases with leaves and put them in my shed to keep them from freezing when we had our cold snap back in December (10 degrees for a week). Needless to say the stems froze solid and died, I think the roots may have survived but I won't know until it gets warmer (I'm told). I cut them down at soil level and they looked like they were still alive, at least they were not gooey like the rest. I was so happy with the way the plants made my front yard look I decided to grow some new ones in case the roots did not survive so I ordered some seeds from seedman and followed the instructions, unfortunately the first three words were "Plant seeds imediately!" After reading here I see that I should have soaked them so that is why I am asking the question because I planted about 60 seeds (various species of Musa's) and I was hoping not to have to dig them up again. I appreciate any advise. Thanks. Nick Last edited by nick59349 : 03-14-2009 at 08:55 PM.

03-15-2009, 05:57 PM	#2 (permalink)
Chironex The causasian Asian! Chironex's Photo Gallery Location: Jakarta, Indonesia Find me on the map! Zone: I have no idea Name: Scot Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 2,788 BananaBucks : 121,372 Feedback: 9 / 100% Said "Thanks" 4,544 Times Was Thanked 1,406 Times in 808 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 609 Times	Re: Seed Soaking Soaking is not vital. It just seems to help speed things up sometimes. Some banana seeds are just tough to get to germinate unless you live in Malaysia - Tog, you listening? Everything seems to germinate easily there, but here it can be tougher. Good luck! __________________ Scot

03-15-2009, 06:06 PM	#3 (permalink)
nick59349 Location: Seattle, WA. Find me on the map! Zone: 8-9 Name: Nick Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 6 BananaBucks : 10,216 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 4 Times Was Thanked 7 Times in 3 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Seed Soaking I was hoping that was the case. Thanks alot! Nick

04-12-2009, 09:16 AM	#4 (permalink)
bdollarbill Bdollarbill bdollarbill's Photo Gallery Location: Clemmons NC Zone: 7 Name: BIll Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 147 BananaBucks : 30,718 Feedback: 5 / 100% Said "Thanks" 6 Times Was Thanked 58 Times in 25 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 6 Times	Re: Seed Soaking Just pretend you don't care if they grow or not, then they will sprout up like weeds. Good luck Bill __________________ www.aerocustoms.com complete Aeroponic grow systems.

04-12-2009, 01:48 PM	#5 (permalink)
Chironex The causasian Asian! Chironex's Photo Gallery Location: Jakarta, Indonesia Find me on the map! Zone: I have no idea Name: Scot Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 2,788 BananaBucks : 121,372 Feedback: 9 / 100% Said "Thanks" 4,544 Times Was Thanked 1,406 Times in 808 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 609 Times	Re: Seed Soaking That is unless they are M. ingens or E. perrieri! They seem to take decades. __________________ Scot

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