Ensete Glaucum

Well pleased !

My first 3 Snow Banana's have sprouted after two weeks in the propagator.

Now if only the Musa Velutina and Sikkimensis would get a move on.

 

Better than mine then, tried some last year and none germinated.

 

I've had mixed results with banana's in the past as well Pete. Unfortunately I only have 10 seeds of this one and they are all in the propagator so I can't offer you any.

I'd be interested to know how long the seeds remain viable after harvest if anyone out there knows.

Steve.

 

My guess, and its only a guess, not long.

 

And another one :D

 

Fresh seed and lots of heat is the answer for Musa. The trouble is that getting truly fresh seeds is a bit of a lottery and most tend to have been hanging around for long enough to enter into full dormancy and this takes a lot to break. Soaking the seed in constantly very warm water for several days followed by sowing in a sterile medium at 28 - 30C gives results, but don't expect them to do a 'mustard and cress' act.

Musa velutina is so easy to grow and flower as a plant, but is an utter 'pig' to germinate. I've never managed to get 'bought seed' to grow. However, seeds sent from a New Zealand friend (still in their gooey pulp) gave reasonable results. Musa sikkimensis is not so difficult from fairly fresh seed, you just need a bit of patience. I've got it to germinate after about 3 - 4 weeks with about a 50% rate, which is quite good for a Musa.

Most Ensetes are very much easier to germinate. They will often do quite well if given an overnight soak and germinated at moderate temperatures (22 - 25C is enough) in a sterilised medium. Ensete glaucum is a nice, huge growing, but rather tender species despite the common name. I'm not aware of it being overwintered successfully in the UK as yet and it is probable that currently available seeds are from lowland forms that are less 'hardy'.

 

Thanks for the interesting information Dave. You have confirmed my suspicions on the Musa's

 

Nice to see you back Dave.