Propagating Ensete ventricosum (Banana) - Corm Division

Propagating Ensete ventricosum

 

Corm Division

 

I can't believe I haven't posted this subject before.  Last year I took on a propagation project with my Ensete Banana plant.  these particular bananas are known for not producing offsets and although these seeds are some of the easier banana seeds to grow.  They can still be difficult for the average grower. Corm division is an easy way to make lots of these beautiful plants to increase your collection or share with friends and family.

 

I started this project in the fall just after my plant was kissed by the frost.  I didn't want to store the whole plant in my home so I though I would take a piece indoors and try my luck.  Here is a video of how I got started.

 

 

 

 

A few months later I did an update video.  There are nubs starting to grow.  YAY!  there is some success.

 

 



 

Here are a few snapshots of the new growth.  I wasn't doing videos at this point.

 

They are sprouting nicely

 

They are elongating and starting to form leaves.

 

The leaves are looking like the parent plant and are starting to grow faster.

 

Roughly 7 or 8 months after we originally started the process it's time to start dividing and transplanting :)  This I have a video of.

 

 

 

And there you have it :)  The propagation project was a success.  it was easier than I thought.  and I easily got over 100 plants.  I gave so many away and actually had to compost some as well. 

 

Give it a try and tell me how it works for you.

 

Bill

(PlantzNThings)

 





Growing a Coconut Palm from Seed

In this BLOG entry we will look at the whole process I used to grow my coconut palm from seed.

What you'll need:

1 Coconut - make sure it is free of damage and when you shake it, it's still got lots of liquid inside.
1 Bucket with warm water
1 Brick or large stone (to hold the coconut under the water)
1 large Ziploc bag

In this Video you'll see the initial process of getting the coconut ready for sprouting

Roughly 1 month after we put it into the Ziploc bag we got a sprout (Please note that it might take longer - Many factors are in play).

This sprout will grow very slowly!  Like watching paint dry :)  almost 2 months after the above sprout video we are looking at this :)

The sprout will reach a point when it starts growing quickly again...  It really seems like a hurry up then wait thing :)  here is an update where we transplant the coconut seedling into a pot with soil.  If I was to do this again, I would use a better draining mix..  Perhaps more sand.

Remember that Coconuts like a well draining mix but like frequent watering.  High light,  Warm Temps and high humidity. 

  Good Luck and Happy Growing :)

  Please show me your projects on the go and your progress :)  We can all learn together :)

Bill

Stapelia scitula in Bloom

Starfish Flowers

The time is finally here!  The buds have started to open.  I thought the flowers would be a little bigger but they are so cute and pretty that it makes up for their small size :)  Here are a few photos for you to enjoy.  

I now have 2 other varieties of this plant family so hopefully in time you will see their blooms too!

Bill

New Additions to the Carnivorous Plant Collection

3 New Nepenthes Babies

I arrived home from work to find a wonderful surprise :)  A box containing plants!  For all of you gardeners and  Plant nuts you'll understand my excitement :)  These are a few photos of what I received.

Here they are all snug in these Travel box :)  packed very well.

N. ventricosa looks very happy.  I'll remove those black pitchers

N. faizaliana has great red colouring in the leaves.  also looks happy :)

N. fallax looks healthy as well

Here are the 3 babies potted up in there new home.  I love the colour variance between them.

Finally I put them all in a Ziploc bag to keep the humidity high so they adjust well to their new home.  They will be resting under my grow lights for a few months until I see some healthy new growth. 

Stay tuned for more updates :)

   Bill

Cardboard Palm from Seed

Zamia furfuracea

Photo taken by Me at the Niagara Botanical Gardens Greenhouse

So I've seen these plants in the garden centres from time to time and I've wanted one because they are so unique looking.  The leaves are so thick and rough.  Actually they look and feel fake.  So on one of my bored searches on ebay I came across seeds for this wonderful and bizarre plant.

So lets get started with planting the seeds shall we :)  ** Please note that these seeds look like peanuts but they are extremely toxic.  So Please keep these out of reach of children and pets**

First - You'll need some well draining soil.  I'm using a Cactus mix.

Next you'll need:

Seeds

A Seed tray or small pots.  I'm using a self watering seed starter (these seeds can take several months to germinate so self watering helps when you forget about these on your window sill :)

Name tags

Labels and a Marker will help you remember what you planted .
You think it's silly but when it takes a few months for them to sprout you will
forget what they are :)

Check out these seeds!!  I Truly thought I was sold expensive peanuts..lol

DON'T EAT THEM!!!!!

Now for Planting!

You want to push the seeds into the soil about the depth of the seed.   so maybe between 1/4" - 1/2" deep and then cover with soil.

Then you want to water the seeds in well and them cover them to keep the humidity in.  I have a clear lid but you might have a clear bag you can use.  The soil needs to be moist during this time, but not soaking wet.

Water them in well.

The greenhouse will keep in the humidity and stop the soil from drying out too quickly.
If it looks like there is too much humidity building up crack it open to allow air flow.

About a month after planting

Some of the seeds are starting to sprout.  OK OK,  only 2 but it's happening faster than I thought.

Here is one that really wants to grow :)

About 2 months after planting

They are growing really well.  We have some true leaves happening :)

 As you can see there are 2 larger babies and a few seeds just starting to sprout.

 Here is a new sprout.  I think so far there are 5 seeds germinating I hope to see more soon :)

Doesn't this remind you of a butterfly :)  I love it :)

Happy Growing Everyone!!

Let me know what your growing..  I love the interesting and exotic.  a challenge is always fun :)

   Bill :)

Starfish Flower in Bud

Stapelia scitula

I wanted to share this exciting news with all of you.  I bought this plant in the early spring and had it growing under my grow lights for a while.  I then got the courage to place it outside for the summer.  I had it tucked away from direct mid-day sun so that i wouldn't burn it.  I sort of forgot about this plant.  it would get watered with the rain or when i was watering my planters but i didn't look at the plant closely until yesterday.  Look at what i found :)

They are like little balloons

They are all over the stems.  

 

Plumeria rubra Seedling Update

Well it's been a few weeks since we've planted the Plumeria seeds.  They are growing much better than i could have imagined.  I planted 55 seeds and 28 have sprouted!  That's great success considering I bought these seeds from EBAY.  I thought I would be lucky if only 5 would sprout..lol..  Now I will have the issue of where will I put all of these babies over the winter time when space indoors is limited. I'm thinking of expanding my grow space in the basement but that will take some time :)

Here is a photo of all my babies.  Soon I will be transplanting them all into 4 inch pots..  Woohoo!!  My babies are growing up so fast!  Soon they will be going away to college....lol.