Growing a banana from seeds is not complicated as long as we follow a few simple rules. However, it does require a bit of patience as the waiting time for banana seeds to germinate can be quite long. Here's how to speed up the germination of banana seeds, how to prepare the soil for sowing, how to sow banana seeds, and how to care for sprouting banana seeds.
Banana trees for potting. Photo © Sylwia Hennek
Banana trees (Musa, Ensete) are plants with a tree-like habit, which is due to the so-called apparent trunk. Thanks to it, they can reach even several meters in height.This trunk is made of the lower parts, often several meters high leaves. Banana trees develop more or less strong underground stolons. Banana leaves are sensitive to gusts of wind. Torn by the winds, they become jagged.
Banana trees naturally grow both in the tropics and in the temperate zone. The word banana comes from Arabic and means finger - which refers to the shape of the banana fruit. Our banana seedlings are quite expensive, so the cheaper way is quite popular -growing a banana plant from seeds "
How to Sow Banana Seeds
Growing a banana plant from seedsis relatively easy. However, this is a job for the patient as seeds can germinate for up to several months. It happens, however, that the first leaves can be seen after three weeks.
Banana seedsare very hard and a bit smaller than hazelnuts. Before sowing, they should be soaked in warm, but not hot, water for 1-2 days.This treatment will soften the seed shell a bit and shorten the germination time.
To enable proper root development,banana seedssow in light, well-drained and necessarily nutrient-poor soil . You can use coconut soil for this purpose. It is permeable and at the same time retains moisture for a long time. Importantly - it does not contain any nutrients. The pH of the soil should be below 7. Peat or special soil for sowing seeds will also be suitable.
When sowingbanana seeds , pour a layer of drainage, e.g. expanded clay, onto the bottom of a pot or other container. Then we fill it with soil, which we press lightly. Place the seed at a depth of 2-3 cm so that it is covered with soil. At the end, pour lukewarm water.
Abyssinian banana seeds. Photo © Sylwia Hennek
Conditions for growing banana seed from seeds
The pot withbanana seedsshould be placed in a warm place, preferably at a temperature of 25-30 ° C (no more).It can stand in complete darkness, but as soon as the seeds have sprouted, it should be moved to a bright place. To raise the temperature a little, you can cover the pot with a transparent foil. You will also not need to water the seeds for several weeks, because the foil will prevent moisture from evaporating. From time to time, remove the foil and ventilate the pot. The foil should be removed as soon as the first seedling appears.
Ifis growing a banana seed plantin winter and you plan to place the pot on a window sill, first check the temperature. It is often lower than we think, even if there is a radiator under the sill. A good alternative is to sow the seeds in a small indoor greenhouse with a heated bottom.
As for watering, the soil should not be overfilled. It should always be equally moist, but not wet. A convenient solution is to use a sprinkler. Thanks to it, we can also spray banana leaves using soft water.This is best done in the afternoon. It should not be done in direct sunlight as the leaves may get sunburn. Afterseed banana has sprouted fromseeds, the plant can grow in the same pot. A sign that the pot is too small is that the roots will grow through the holes in the bottom. The next pot should only be slightly larger than the old one.
Young banana trees should not be fertilized. Only after about 2 months you can start feeding the plants with a weak solution of liquid fertilizer, preferably the recommended 1/4 dose. This can also be done in winter, because young plants do not enter the winter dormancy period, as long as they are grown in a very bright and warm room. Older banana trees should overwinter in cooler rooms. Then we do not fertilize them and we limit watering.
Sylwia Hennekwww.oaza-palmy.pl
