Ornamental banana
Gardening Reference » Gardening in 2006
by rozy221 on March 25, 2006 07:38 AM
I'm not sure if this is the best spot to post this in, but I was wondering if anybody knew anything about growing an ornamental banana plant from seed. They're these big rock-hard seeds. I sowed them about a month ago and nothing. So I popped one out and tried soaking it overnite and then stuck it back in the soil-any suggestions? Thank you!
by Longy on March 25, 2006 11:14 AM
If the seed is very hard, it may need to be scarified. ie, scratched or cut to allow water to penetrate. You can use a piece of sandpaper for this or a knife and just damage the outside of the seed pod. Don't go thru to the embryo seed inside, then either plant, or soak and then plant as you have done.
It is possible too, that the reason the seed hasn't germinated yet is because the soil has not reached the minimum necessary temperature to induce germination. So maybe once scarifying, you will need to be patient.
* * * *
The secret is the soil.
It is possible too, that the reason the seed hasn't germinated yet is because the soil has not reached the minimum necessary temperature to induce germination. So maybe once scarifying, you will need to be patient.
* * * *
The secret is the soil.
by rozy221 on March 25, 2006 11:22 AM
Thank you very much Longy! I will try that tomorrow. I hope the temp isn't a prob-I've got them on my heating pad, which is pretty warm right about now. I'll let you know how I make out-Thanks again!
by rozy221 on March 27, 2006 11:57 AM
Well well well!!! I popped out the seed that I had soaked and I scarified it, as Longy suggested. I then pulled another seed out, and it already had a 1 1/2" root going down, and a "shoot" trying to come up! That seed I didn't do anything to! Go figure! I tried to very carefully stick it back in-hope I didn't kill it....
by Longy on March 27, 2006 07:50 PM
A bit of patience goes a long way Rozy:-)
* * * *
The secret is the soil.
* * * *
The secret is the soil.
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