The Indian banana is still a rarity in the garden in this country. Little is known about their propagation. In fact, not every common method can be used to coax a new seedling out of it. However, seed propagation is also feasible for hobby gardeners.
Indian banana seeds are black and relatively large
seed collection
Ripe Indian bananas are not available in supermarkets. It is questionable whether this will change in the foreseeable future. If you are looking for a fruit to use for seeds, you may have to look further.
A few farmers markets offer these fruits. You can occasionally find a shop on the Internet that can deliver fruit. Perhaps you already have a specimen in your own garden or know another tree owner.
Cut open the fruit and take out the seeds. Before sowing, you need to wash them thoroughly to remove all remnants of pulp.
buy seeds
If you don't have any fruit, you can buy seeds. They cost the equivalent of about 50 cents each. The easiest way is to order them online.
Optimum time for propagation
Propagating Indian bananas from seeds is a lengthy process. The first step is ideally started in autumn.
Stratify
Indian banana seeds are cold germs. This means: Before they germinate, they must first be exposed to a longer period of cold. In this case that means:
- Cold stratify seeds for about 100 days
- the required temperature is between 2 and 6 degrees Celsius
- plant seeds in moist soil
- Put pots outside
- alternatively stratify in the fridge
- Place seeds in a bag with sand and seal
tips
Stratification outdoors can only succeed if the winter is consistently cold. Because temperature fluctuations can prevent germination or delay it until next year. You are on the safe side with the constant temperatures in the fridge.
sowing
After stratification, the seeds can be sown. This is done in commercial potting soil. This should be sterilized beforehand to destroy any sciarid fly larvae and other pests that may be present. The addition of some sand is also recommended.
After sowing, the pot must be kept warm. Temperatures above 20 degrees Celsius are ideal. It can then take another two months or even longer until germination. During this time, the soil must never dry out completely.
But even after germination there is not much to see above ground. Because the future tree first concentrates on the development of its taproot. After sowing, it can take a few months before the first greens appear.
young seedlings
The young tree can spend its first summer outdoors. But while the adult tree loves sun, it needs more partial shade. However, the first winter must still take place in a frost-free winter quarters. In the second year you can plant the tree.
Notice:
Plantlets grown from seed are individual specimens. While the taste of the fruit turns out to be good in most cases, its size can vary. If necessary, a refinement can be carried out.