Often called a tree, the banana is an herbaceous plant as it does not have a woody stem. Banana is in the Musaceae family and is more closely related to cardamom and ginger than to any type of palm. You are going to love growing bananas!
We know many of you go bananas over bananas and growing them IS possible in your dome! Bananas grow quickly in tropical and subtropical regions where there is a hot and humid climate. Banana flowers will typically appear in about six months. The purple petals will start to curl up and drop off, revealing your bananas.
While you may have noticed those little black “seeds” in your store-bought bananas, they are immature and will not grow a banana plant. Commercial bananas are mainly the Cavendish variety, grown from rhizomes (horizontal plant stems). Most of our current-day varieties of bananas are now seedless. If you are determined to grow bananas from seeds be aware it is challenging as they will require very precise tropical conditions!
You can take a banana rhizome, called a banana pup, and grow a new banana plant via that method. Propagate new banana plants by separating the suckers from the parent plant. There are usually multiple pups growing from the parent, but it’s best to leave at least one as the plant will only produce fruit for one season. Banana plants can live for six years although each stem only produces fruit once and then dies. The plant will continue to produce new stems from the rhizome for your next bunch of fruit.
Growing banana plants from seeds can be an exciting and rewarding endeavor for any gardener Banana seeds allow you to propagate new plants while also producing unique varieties However, proper seed germination, storage, and sowing techniques are essential for success. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about banana plant seeds.
An Overview of Banana Seeds
Unlike the banana fruits we eat, banana seeds are small, round, and black in color They are found in the fleshy pulp inside the banana fruit. Each banana can contain 50-100 seeds or more
Banana plants are not woody trees, but giant herbaceous perennials. The banana “tree” is actually a pseudostem made of tightly wrapped leaf sheaths surrounding a true stem called a corm. Banana plants propagate primarily through rhizome division, which produces genetic clones. Seed propagation results in new genetic varieties.
Banana seeds are ovular and measure just 2-4 mm wide. Their small size allows them to be easily stored and transported. However, it also means care is required during germination.
Germinating Banana Seeds
Germinating banana seeds presents some challenges due to their small size and hard seed coat. Here are some tips for success:
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Collect mature, dark brown seeds from fresh ripe fruits. Unripe green seeds may not germinate well.
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Carefully separate seeds from the pulp, rinsing well. Allow to air dry for 1-3 days.
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Optionally soak seeds in warm water for 1-2 days to soften the hard outer coating prior to planting.
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Plant seeds 1⁄4-1⁄2 inch deep in seed starting mix. Cover trays with plastic to retain moisture.
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Maintain warm temperatures between 75-85°F. Lower temperatures inhibit germination. Consider using a seedling heat mat.
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Keep the soil consistently moist but not sopping wet. Good drainage is important to prevent fungal issues.
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Germination generally occurs within 15-60 days, though some seeds may take 4+ months to sprout. Be patient!
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Once sprouted, remove any coverings and move seedlings to bright, warm locations. Pot up once 2-3 true leaves emerge.
With care and optimal conditions, banana seeds can achieve relatively good germination rates. Just be prepared for a lengthy wait as seeds slowly awaken.
Storing Banana Seeds
For best viability, banana seeds should be planted soon after extraction from the fruit. However, storage is possible for up to several months if needed.
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Allow fresh seeds to fully dry out over 3-5 days before storage.
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Place seeds in an airtight container in a cool, dark place like the refrigerator.
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Include a desiccant like silica gel to maintain an extremely dry environment, critical for preservation.
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Most seeds remain viable for 1-6 months when stored properly. Discard any that are more than a year old.
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Monitor seeds and discard any showing signs of mold, which spreads quickly in closed containers.
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Allow stored seeds to rehydrate in water for 1-2 days before planting.
Proper drying and storage conditions help maximize banana seed viability over time. But fresh seeds less than a month old have the highest success rates.
Sowing Banana Seeds
Once banana seeds have germinated, transplant the seedlings into larger containers or directly in the garden. Here are some tips for sowing:
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Harden off young plants for 5-7 days before transplanting. Gradually introduce to outdoor conditions.
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Prepare planting beds with rich, organic soil and excellent drainage. Bananas love compost.
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Plant seedlings 3-4 feet apart. Closer spacing restricts growth.
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Dig holes the same depth as the root ball and slightly wider. Place seedling in hole and backfill with soil.
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Water newly planted seedlings daily until established. Prioritize consistent moisture.
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Apply mulch around plants to retain moisture and reduce weeds. Leave space around stem to prevent rot.
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Stake plants if needed to provide support in windy conditions.
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Transplant container-grown plants similarly, being careful of the delicate root balls.
With attentive planting and care, sowing your germinated banana seeds can yield happy, productive plants!
Troubleshooting Germination Issues
Not all banana seeds germinate readily. If you experience problems, review these potential issues:
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Inadequate warmth – Bananas require tropical heat. Maintain 75°F+ for best results.
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Overwatering – Too much moisture causes fungal rot. Allow soil to partially dry between waterings.
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Underwatering – Seeds shrivel and die when soil dries out. Keep evenly moist.
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Poor soil quality – Use a sterile, well-draining seed starting mix. Do not use garden soil.
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Buried too deep – Large seeds like bananas should be planted no more than 1⁄2 inch deep maximum.
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Poor seed viability – Fresh seeds less than 2 months old have highest germination rates. Discard very old seeds.
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Disease – Fungal issues are common. Avoid overwatering and provide good ventilation to limit problems.
Adjusting your care and conditions can help overcome difficulties and get your banana seeds sprouting successfully.
Harvesting and Saving Banana Seeds
To collect your own seeds for planting:
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Allow bananas to fully ripen on the plant until skins are yellow with dark spots.
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Carefully remove the pulp and separate out the small black banana seeds.
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Optional: Ferment pulp 1-2 days, rinsing daily in water to remove clinging pulp.
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Spread seeds in a single layer on paper towels or screening. Allow to dry for 3-5 days.
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Place thoroughly dried seeds in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to plant.
With attention to proper curing and drying methods, you can easily save fresh seeds for planting more banana trees.
Growing banana plants from seeds takes patience, care, and optimal conditions. But the reward is unique new plants not possible through division. Follow these seed germination, storage, sowing, and saving techniques for the best results.
Growing Banana Companion Plants
Banana plants are best grown in a banana circle, as mentioned earlier. They like to have a circle of friends…companions! The following plants are great companions for your banana plant: sweet potatoes, comfrey, taro, and lemongrass.
- Sweet potatoes provide ground cover for the soil which also helps retain moisture and since they are a vine they can grow up the banana plant.
- Comfrey grows well in the shade provided by banana plants and contributes minerals and nutrients to the soil that your ravenous banana plant will devour!
- Plant taro, a root vegetable, to provide ground cover to prevent the soil from drying out and weeds from taking root.
- Lemongrass is a culinary herb that is wonderful to have growing in your greenhouse. It’s also a natural pest and weed deterrent.
Caring for Banana Plants
Banana plants need rich, well-drained soil. Water deeply and regularly, but do not overwater your banana plant or let the soil become waterlogged, which can cause root rot. As tropical and subtropical plants, bananas also need humidity so consider installing a misting system for your banana plant or add a humidifier in your greenhouse near your tropical plants.
Bananas need fertilizing throughout the growing season because they have voracious appetites! Commercial fertilizer is one option and using compost and mulch is another option. You want your banana plants to have a very rich soil throughout the growing season and you want to mix compost in annually to build up your soil.
Where Are The Seeds In A Banana?
FAQ
How long do banana seeds take to germinate?
How to grow banana plants from seeds?
Why banana seeds don t germinate?
Should I remove banana pups?
How to grow banana seeds from seeds?
The first step in growing banana plants from seeds is germination. Here’s how to do it: Soak the Seeds: Start by soaking the seeds overnight in room temperature water. This will help soften the outer seed coat and make it easier for the seedling to emerge. Plant the Seed: The next day, plant the seed in a container filled with moist soil.
How long does it take for banana seeds to germinate?
Keep the soil consistently moist and place the pot in a warm, sunny spot. It can take 2-3 weeks for the seeds to germinate. Once your banana seedlings have developed a strong root system and are a few months old, it’s time to transplant them into larger pots or directly into the ground. Follow these steps to ensure a smooth transition:
How to harvest banana seeds?
Before you can harvest banana seeds, you need to choose the right banana plant. Not all banana plants produce seeds, so you’ll need to look for a variety that does. The best bananas for seed harvesting are the wild or “ancestor” bananas, which are native to Southeast Asia. Step 2: Select the Perfect Bunch
How to grow a banana?
From germinating the banana seeds to transplanting the seedlings and caring for the plants, each step plays a vital role in their growth and development. And when the time comes to harvest those sweet, tropical fruits, the satisfaction and joy of enjoying them will be unparalleled.