Have you ever considered where are the seeds in bananas? How then does a banana tree grow new fruit? We looked into how to propagate a banana tree because we adore this perplexing but delicious fruit and wanted to know if you could produce a banana tree from a banana.
A banana fruit produced for commercial purposes cannot be used to develop a banana tree. However, if you want to grow more banana trees, you can get the seeds from a source.
This is how:
- Give the seed a 24- to 48-hour soak.
- Each seed should be sown in a layer of permeable soil about an inch deep.
- Keep the soil between 60 and 68 °F.
- Keep the soil wet.
- Be patient; depending on the cultivar, germination might take anywhere from 3 weeks to 6 months.
Home banana cultivation can be incredibly rewarding. Banana trees are not only beautiful, but the fruit is also nutritious and delectable. We’ll go into great depth about how to grow a banana tree from seed if you keep reading.
Table of Contents
Where is the Seed in a Banana?
You won’t locate a seed if you examine a banana that has been grown for commercial purposes. The reason for this is that the bananas we generally eat (of the Cavendish kind) have been genetically modified to not have seeds. Bananas that are cultivated for commercial purposes are multiplied by dividing and replanting suckers, also known as pups.
Bananas in the wild do have seeds inside the fruit. Frequently, the seeds are so huge that they occupy the majority of the banana, making it challenging to consume the pulp around them. Wild bananas reproduce from both seeds and suckers.
Buy banana seeds from internet retailers like Amazon that sell exotic plants and seeds.
How to Grow a Banana Tree from a Seed?
A banana tree requires a lot of work to grow from seed. Wild banana seeds only sprout in nature under precise conditions. You must be patient and provide the best environment possible.
1. Soak the Seed for 24-48 Hours
Because wild seeds can only germinate when water reaches the inside embryo, soaking the banana seed is a crucial step. Banana seeds have a tough, but porous, outer coating. By soaking the seed, water progressively permeates the outer shell and is absorbed by the seed’s interior sexual organs, which triggers the germination process.
2. Plant Each Seed in Permeable Soil (1-inch deep)
To enable for drainage, use a permeable soil. The seed will be more likely to decay if not. For the best outcomes, we advise experimenting with potting soil.
3. Maintain Soil Temperature at 60-68°F
Non-dormant banana seeds can remain dormant in the wild for a number of years while they wait for the right soil temperature to signal when it is time for germination. Although the mechanism by which seeds perceive temperature is not yet fully understood, successful germination depends on the soil temperature fluctuating.
For many hours each day, use a heating pad or a heat lamp to raise the soil’s temperature. Allow the soil to cool to a minimum of 60°F.
4. Keep Soil Moist
Maintain soil moisture to encourage germination. To preserve a humid atmosphere when planting in a seed tray or pot, cover it with plastic.
5. Be Patient
Banana seeds can germinate in three weeks to six months. So, while you wait, be patient and keep a constant eye on the temperature and moisture content of the soil.
Your banana seed may not germinate even if you create the ideal environment. Only 68–75% of freshly obtained, wild seeds germinated, according to a scientific research, even under ideal circumstances.
Are you curious to learn about additional seed propagation techniques? See our blog entry on “How to Propagate Pachira Aquatica (Money Tree)” for more information.
How Big do Banana Trees Get?
Banana trees aren’t actually trees, did you know that? Bananas are herbaceous, blooming perennial plants. In comparison to trees, they are more closely connected to ginger plants and bird of paradise flowers. Depending on the variety, a banana plant’s rhizome creates a sturdy pseudostem with dense, overlapping leaves that can grow to a height of between 10 and 25 feet.
Depending on the species, banana trees can have broad, fan-shaped leaves that reach lengths of up to 9 feet and widths of 2 feet. Trees should be planted in a position that offers some protection from the wind because the leaves are delicate and prone to harm.
Bananas have berries-like fruits that sprout from the core of the plant’s heart-shaped blossom. Fruits are referred to as fingers. A full-grown banana finger weighs about 4 ounces.
Banana fruits produce enormous clusters known as hands as they grow in tiers of 10–20 fingers. Depending on the kind, a hand of bananas could have anywhere from three to twenty levels. Each hand of bananas can weigh up to 100 pounds when it is gathered.
Best Containers for Growing a Banana Tree?
Depending on the kind, dwarf variants of potted bananas typically reach heights of 5 to 15 feet. You should choose a container that is big enough to leave about a 3-inch space between its sides and the plant’s central pseudostem because the size of the container can limit the banana’s growth. Transplant your banana tree into a bigger pot as it grows.
When choosing a container for your banana tree, keep the following in mind:
- Drainage; outfitted with a bottom hole or holes and a matching saucer (for smaller, indoor/outdoor pots).
- Lightweight material; to move larger, heavier trees with ease.
- durable substance; suitable for both indoor and outdoor use to prevent tarnishing or easy breakage of the container.
- Reusable; when banana trees have been moved, the container can be used again.
- Style; to match the indoor and outdoor design.
In a reusable tray with a humidity lid, plant banana seeds. After planting, heavy-duty plastic with grip handles is simple to place in a sunny spot.
To find this on Amazon, click here.
Banana seedlings should be planted in 3-inch pots. Terra cotta pots that may serve a variety of purposes and come with a saucer are excellent planters for your house and garden.
To find this on Amazon, click here.
This collection of three ceramic pots, measuring 5 inches, 7 inches, and 9 inches, is ideal for growing an emerging banana corm or sucker. With drainage and a matching saucer, modern style complements home décor and promotes healthy plant growth.
Display your banana tree in full bloom in this chic ceramic container. Available in 8-inch and 10-inch diameters with a drainage hole and stopper to accommodate hardy plants.
Planting bananas in this 15-inch pot will provide a splash of color to your tropical environment. High-density resin that is resilient and has a shiny, ceramic-like finish can withstand outdoor environments.
Plant your banana tree in this chic 20-inch planter to highlight it. The double-walled, lightweight polyresin material makes it simple to find your banana both inside and outside. Make drainage holes to ensure there is enough moisture.
You may get started now that you are aware of how to grow a banana tree from seed so that you can soon have a healthy, young plant.