Hi....just wondering....where did you get your Musa ingens seed from....I've been looking for a source....thanks, Brent :)

Hi Brent,

I bought them from an Italian member of this board, Vincenzo Rubino (apologies, Vincenzo, if I've misremembered you're name). Not sure if he has any left.

I think Europalms were also selling them. Hope that helps.

I just checked mine today and there is 1 germinating! I sowed about 75 seeds.
Eric
Orlando,FL z9b

Sweet, Eric! Pictures? Methods?

Very nice Eric! This could be a first for any known Ingens here on American soil!!!

Chitown

Good for you, Eric. But fellas, how long do I wait before meddling? I'm representing the pride of UK growers here.

Paul-My suggestion would be take a short vacation so you will no be tempted to dig around in the soil. Seriously, I have actually broken off growing shoots from seedlings in the past by digging around in the mix. (I must be honest and tell you I still do it but you asked for advice about what you "should do". It is always easier advice to give than to observe.) If the seeds (and hopefully seedlings) are warm it should not take much longer before they stick their heads above the soil. Best Wishes.

Eric-Great News and Good Luck!

It's all very well germinating one, but how on earth are you folks going to grow them?! I'd not heard of ingens before but having looked it up - blimey! Presumably they'll need a warm greenhouse in winter at least? Paul - maybe you could borrow the Gherkin in london :)

I too would probably meddle but then regret it (I generally sprout seeds in perlite so at least I know they've germinated before potting up... and then worry that they're rotting or something)

Good luck anyway Paul & Eric!

Alex

Keep in mind this is a highland species and the majority of banana growers will NOT be able to grow it, especially in places like Florida and probly most of California as well. Anywhere where night time temperatures are warm or fairly close to day time temps this species will most likely die.

GAtrops, thanks for your sage advice. I've given instructions that I must be accompanied by a responsible adult whenever I approach the propagator and observed closely at all times. I've taken to staring at the seed tray to see if the disturbance is growing. Must get out more.

Alex, see my earlier reference to suffering a strange musa fever (one will overcome you soon enough) re. ingens. A gherkin shaped greenhouse, you're absolutely right.

It is my experience that bananas come up very quickly, though I haven't grown this one, seems like it would be more than a bump in the dirt but now.

Bananalover, it's still a bump and no shoot. But something's gone on down below. But let me ask again, when do I investigate? I'm thinking like you, this is too long for a successful outcome.

I think I would very carefully investigate now.

Bananalover, I've investigated and it seems to be a version of a phantom pregnancy. Right below the bump was a seed, but no sign of germination. Bit of a puzzle.

Can't think what raised the soil. Any word on Eric's method?

There is a little picture of one of my Musa Ingens seedlings on the front-page of my web-site: uk.geocities.com/bananaswap. They came up a few days ago.

There are also more seeds available of the same batch, should anybody be interested.

Here is a link that might be useful: Bananaswap

Bump!

Since you bumped I'll add my two cents about where I bet they would grow well in the U.S.
Palm growers on the west coast have long grown high elevation species that resent high night time temps, so this one might make a great addition to the zone 9-10 garden. There has got to be a micro climate that would fit on the west coast since there seem to be alot, and I bet anywhere with 200 miles of the bay area on the coast would work.
I'm glad that seeds are available now! No luck here yet!

Bump.