Log in

View Full Version : Could these be Musa Basjoo seeds?


jmoore
08-13-2011, 02:41 AM
I was doing my customary ebay search for musa related items and I found this listing which intrigued me.

? Japanische Faserbanane winterhart Musa b. mag Nässe ? | eBay (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Japanische-Faserbanane-winterhart-Musa-b-mag-Nasse-/300400106609?pt=DE_Haus_Garten_Garten_Teich_Zubeh%C3%B6r&hash=item45f13ddc71)

It's quite vague and doesn't mention it by name, but could he be selling Musa basjoo seeds?

I've heard the japanese fibre banana name used for Musa Balbisiana also, so maybe, maybe not.

I bought 10 so will post photos of the seeds when they come.

Dalmatiansoap
08-13-2011, 03:42 AM
I dont think so.
I think even he doesnt know what is he selling, according the name that can be M. Nagensium.

jmoore
08-13-2011, 12:29 PM
I am doubtful also. Although I think they are balbisiana

blatta
08-13-2011, 04:23 PM
Why is it that Musa basjoo seeds are so rarely, if ever, available?

It is very widely grown, flowers often. Ive seen discussions in which the seeds are described. Has anyone germinated any?

Are there any wild populations of M. basjoo?

Gabe15
08-13-2011, 07:08 PM
There are wild M. basjoo, and they make seed, however, the common cultivated form seems to be sterile. M. basjoo seed exists, but since the plants are so common already, the sellers would think there is not much of a market for them.

musa_monkey
08-14-2011, 03:54 AM
Using the terms Japanese fiber musa b, and that it originates from china and is frost tolerant to -20c definitely suggests they believe the seed to be musa basjoo.

Either way it will be interesting to find out.

Old thread on the subject for reference
http://www.bananas.org/f16/ripe-fruits-musa-basjoo-its-seeds-3616.html

Dalmatiansoap
08-14-2011, 04:05 AM
I still belive that he doesnt know nothing about bananas and he just resell seeds. Original japanese fiber banana is M. Balbisiana var. liukiuensis and none of bananas can tolerate -20C, not even the Basjoo without heavy protection.

jmoore
08-18-2011, 08:48 AM
OK the mystery seeds have arrived and they look to me to be very much like the seeds in the link musa monkey has found.

They don't look like balbisiana seeds to me.

What do people think?

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=45151&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=45151&ppuser=4043)

musa_monkey
08-18-2011, 10:08 AM
They certainly look like the ones in the old thread to me.

Tempted to give them a try for the fun of it but given i have about 60 musa basjoo plants as it is i think her indoors may not let me get away with it :ha:

Dalmatiansoap
08-18-2011, 10:28 AM
Also very similar to M. Nagensium
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=1526&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=1526&si=nagensium&what=allfields)

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=14343&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=14343&si=nagensium&what=allfields)

jmoore
08-18-2011, 10:41 AM
Hmmmm they do look similar to Nagensium, I think there are subtle differences though.

I'll see if I can get any to germinate. I guess then we'll see

Dalmatiansoap
08-18-2011, 10:46 AM
Agree with You 100% on that one. One way or another good luck with them. I hope we will debate on seedling ID very soon.
:nanadrink:

jmoore
09-22-2011, 01:16 PM
They are starting to pop up...any ideas? :ha:http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=45868&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=45868)

tony palmer
12-06-2011, 03:58 AM
Hi James,
Any chance of an update on your seedlings!
I bought some of those seeds from the German eBay seller and I don’t think its Basjoo seed, the seed is too small for basjoo.
It will be interesting to see if your seedlings develop any wax on them because the seed looks like it could be balbisiana to me.


Tony

jmoore
12-06-2011, 11:28 AM
Hi Tony

I'll post some pics soon, but I was starting to think the same thing as I have some balbisiana germinating next to them and they do look almost exactly the same, the only difference is the colour, but that could be environmental.