Question
I know that it is getting late in the season for many indoor started seeds (I think), I am new to th world of gardening, so bear with me.  My question is: Is it necessary to soak all seeds before putting them in soil?  Or is that only for the ones that specify on the back of the seed envelope?
   Also, I love Birds-of-Paradise, and I started some from seed, (as well as banana plants), and I was just wondering what kind of soil to pot them up in, three banana and three Birds-of-paradise have sprouted.
   Do you know of a web-site I can look up requirments, such as soil recommendations, for house plants?  That would be very helpful, I would appreciate it very much!  (I am also new to computers!)  Thank you for your help.  

Answer
Hi Brianne,
Thanx for your question.  No you do not have to soak all seeds in order to get them to germinate. As you indicated, follow the directions on the seed packet. With banana and bird-of-paradise, yes, you should soak them.  I have grown both from seeds.  I have heard it would take up to 6  months for the seeds to germinate.  I have not had that experience.  I had bird-of-paradise seeds I received from Brazil germinate in about 30-45 days.  I have had banana seeds germinate from 15-60 days.

Grow bananas and other tropical seeds in rich, damp (not soggy) potting soil.  Tropicals need warmth.  They don't tolerate a lot of cold (below 60 degrees).  They like humidity.  I don't have any special websites to offer to you as I have been growing these plants for years on my own.  What I can tell you is to use Google.com and type in what you want to know and you will get tons of websites.  Some will be useful, some will not.  For best results, after accessing Google.com type in houseplant care, germinating/growing bananas, germinating growing birds of paradise, strelitzia information (the genus for bird of paradise) or musa (the genus for bananas).  I hope this helps.
Tom