Ensete seeds, viable for short time ?

[Ade Shattock]

I always believed that Ensete seeds were only viable for a short period of time but thats not so, or at least isnt so with a batch of 100 seeds of Ensete glaucum that I bought from eBay last year, I got them at a very low price so didnt expect much from them, I guessed they must have been quite old but thought it worth a crack at the low price (cant remember how much now but pennies).

I had them in an old Chinese takeaway container with a mix of moist multi purpose compost and vermiculite and after 8 quick germinations last year I took the container out of the prop as I didnt want any more, well a few weeks back I found the container at the back of the greenhouse and of course it was as dry as a bone but I thought Id wet the compost and try them on a heat base, well as you can probably guess, I have had some germinate, 5 of them actually and in just a matter of a fortnight.

Well 5 are enough for now so the container has been taken off the heat and I'll give them another bash next year to see if I can get any going.

I suppose I should add now that Ive yet to get a glaucum through a winter and I have tried many a time :lol:

[Chrisg]

I like the idea of a perpetual seed tray. Just get it out and add water whenever you want new plants. You'll have to let us know next year if it works again.

[griphuz]

I have similar experience, Ensete seeds can still sprout after years in the ground.

Kind regards,
Remko.

[Mark]

You done well to get a germination after all that time Ade. I suppose Enstes must stay more viable than Musa as they always say they have a fairly short shelf life. Saying that musa Velutina seeds seem to sprout easy enough after a few years storage.