How to Germinate Banana Seeds
Bananas are the common name for the fruit of any plants in the Musa genus. They were first cultivated 7,000 to 10,000 years ago, probably in Papua New Guinea. Wild bananas reproduce by seeds, but commercial plantations cultivate bananas from offshoots of the adult plant. Banana seeds are difficult to germinate and represent a significant challenge for the home gardener. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Heating mat
- Appliance timer
- Banana seeds
- Water
- Bleach
- Coco peat
- Perlite
- Plastic bag
Instructions
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1
Set up the heating mat and appliance timer in a room that can be maintained at about 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Put a tray on top of the heating mat.
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2
Soak the banana seeds in water for at least two days, changing the water each day. Scrub the pulp from the banana seeds as they soak, if needed. Rinse the seeds with a 10 percent solution of bleach, and then wash them with dish soap and water to remove the bleach.
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3
Mix equal amounts of coco peat and perlite to use as soil. Cook the soil in an oven on low heat for a few minutes to sterilize it. Place the soil in a plastic bag that can hold a half gallon to a gallon. Put the bag on the heating tray.
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4
Place the soil in the bag and stir water into the soil until it's moist but not dripping wet. Sprinkle the seeds onto the surface and carefully sprinkle just enough soil on top of the seeds to cover them.
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5
Set the timer to turn the heating mat on for about eight hours each day and keep the temperature between 80 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. The bag is too hot if the soil starts drying out. Begin checking the seeds each day after about two weeks. You'll generally pot the seedlings after they produce a leaf, depending on the species.
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