[Joolzr]

Hi all

In the UK, I'm a keen grower of exotic plants and that was one of the attractions of NZ.

I'm now trying to find a source of seeds here- I've tried Dr Google, Kings seeds etc. Anyone any ideas? I'm sure I saw posts from someone a while ago who grew palms....

In particular I'm looking for banana seeds. I bought some off trademe but they weren't proper bananas (Genus musa). I really want to plant some as I tried in the UK for 3 years running to get flowers and the climate here should be so much better. There was also some rivalry with other pals...

Anyone any ideas? I guess it'd be hard to import them from my usual source (jungleseeds.com).


Thanks

Julie

[Jo Jo]

Aha, finding an online seed-supplier is on my list of things to do, so this is a timely thread. Did you find this when you were googling: http://nestlebraeexotics.co.nz/?pg=30 Not seeds, but you could always pretend you grew them from seeds.... ;)

[Joolzr]

Hi Jo Jo

That's interesting. I wonder if I could persuade them to sell me some seeds... It's the challenge I enjoy. If I was going to cheat I could just go to the botanics and take photos (have thought about it ;)

They do tours of their gardens- $10 each. May see if I can persuade OH to take me. Fancy joining us?

b.w

Julie



Aha, finding an online seed-supplier is on my list of things to do, so this is a timely thread. Did you find this when you were googling: http://nestlebraeexotics.co.nz/?pg=30 Not seeds, but you could always pretend you grew them from seeds.... ;)

[Ana&Steve]

Here are a couple of links to try...not sure how exotic they are though!

www.egmontseeds.co.nz
http://www.netlist.co.nz/gardens/mailordernurseries/directory_list.cfm?CatID=41&Category=Seeds

[KerryS]

Have you tried this website:
http://www.plantfinder.co.nz/index.html

I'm currently reading almost everything on here, in the hope I can actually get some decent things growing this spring and summer:
http://www.nzgardener.co.nz/page.asp?id=33

And I've ordered some things from here:
http://www.ginnysherbs.com/
and here:
http://www.koanga.co.nz/vcart//

I've planted my fake banana seeds, but nothing has happened with them yet... I shall let you know their progress.

[Moorf]

Great links - and one even stocks clumping leeks which I've been looking out for! :clap

[Moorf]

Hi all

In the UK, I'm a keen grower of exotic plants and that was one of the attractions of NZ.

I'm now trying to find a source of seeds here- I've tried Dr Google, Kings seeds etc. Anyone any ideas? I'm sure I saw posts from someone a while ago who grew palms....

In particular I'm looking for banana seeds. I bought some off trademe but they weren't proper bananas (Genus musa). I really want to plant some as I tried in the UK for 3 years running to get flowers and the climate here should be so much better. There was also some rivalry with other pals...

Anyone any ideas? I guess it'd be hard to import them from my usual source (jungleseeds.com).


Thanks

Julie

I wonder if these guys can help you with seeds? http://www.subtropical.co.nz/

[Debbie]

It is very likely that I'm mistaken but I remember a few yrs ago there was all this concern about a virus attacking banana plants and the concern was that all edible bananas are clones. I don't know the technical name for it in plant terms but what makes the fruit edible is that they are seedless. The plant reproduces by forming clumps of little banana trees around the base and once the main plant fruits it dies back and the next little plant takes over. My gardening magazine had an article on bananas and that seem to support this notion.
(Either that or I'm still believing some yr old April fools prank!!)

Debbie

[Joolzr]

Hi Debbie

Your absolutely right, the bananas you buy to eat are clones of a single species. But ther are some others which look pretty but don't produce edible fruit. You can even get purple banana's!


have a look at jungleseeds.com for variety.

Julie

[Debbie]

Thanks, I'm glad I've not been suckered on that tail. I'm struggling with my first garden since we moved to NZ and am only focusing on things I can eat.
Might look into sticking an edible banana in a corner though.
Debbie

P.S I would like to see the slugs try and eat that to the ground over night!!