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View Full Version : Is this a Musa Basjoo?


BTerrier
04-28-2017, 10:25 PM
Never grown Bananas before, but not a stranger to gardening.

I thought I would give a try at growing Musa Basjoo since it seems I can grow here in New England without havng to bring it inside for the winter.

Does this look like a Musa Basjoo to you guys?

Musa Basjoo Banana tree 1 ft tall and growing | eBay (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Musa-Basjoo-Banana-tree-1-ft-tall-and-growing-/262948580809?hash=item3d38f4edc9:g:QcsAAOSwBOtY-5Ma)

eBay has been the only place I have really found any Basjoo plants. I am ready to purchase the Tree from this listing but I want to ensure that I am getting the right variety and I have no experience identifying banana plants.

Thanks

Tytaylor77
04-29-2017, 12:55 AM
Looks correct to me.

Longwoods Tropicals
04-29-2017, 05:25 AM
It looks like a basjoo, garden centers will often have them in the spring for 10-20$, often bigger too.

cincinnana
04-29-2017, 08:21 PM
Never grown Bananas before, but not a stranger to gardening.

I thought I would give a try at growing Musa Basjoo since it seems I can grow here in New England without havng to bring it inside for the winter.

Does this look like a Musa Basjoo to you guys?

Musa Basjoo Banana tree 1 ft tall and growing | eBay (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Musa-Basjoo-Banana-tree-1-ft-tall-and-growing-/262948580809?hash=item3d38f4edc9:g:QcsAAOSwBOtY-5Ma)

eBay has been the only place I have really found any Basjoo plants. I am ready to purchase the Tree from this listing but I want to ensure that I am getting the right variety and I have no experience identifying banana plants.

Thanks



yep.....
Looks familiar.......the plant should do well in your area.

Sometimes Ebay is somewhat overpriced, but your deal seems good/average.

Most mail order nurseries will have them for sale also for a few dollars less.

BTerrier
05-03-2017, 04:29 PM
Thanks guys. I went ahead and placed the order.....arrived today. Do you think I should plant in ground or container? I am in CT, so the winters can get pretty cold, but the last few years have been fairly mild.

Also, what is the suggested growing medium for banana plants?

Vickie H.
05-03-2017, 08:38 PM
I grow musa basjoo here in Missouri zone 6. I have done it for years. In Oct we cut it down to about 8 inches. We then put a big tomato cage made out of fencing with a mesh to keep mulch from falling out. We put 2ft of cryprus mulch in each cage. They have survived a minus 13* F before'. Last yr they grew 10ft and 12 ft.

cincinnana
05-05-2017, 06:15 AM
Thanks guys. I went ahead and placed the order.....arrived today. Do you think I should plant in ground or container? I am in CT, so the winters can get pretty cold, but the last few years have been fairly mild.

Also, what is the suggested growing medium for banana plants?

Bananas will do well in containers with soilless mix's similar to Miracle grow products.
Just buy what you can afford or you may make it yourself, which I prefer.
There are a many posts on the subject which can give you great ideas too.

Soilless mix. (https://flic.kr/s/aHskn4Nmrt)


Basjoo mat (https://flic.kr/s/aHsjNnsLiK)

BTerrier
05-05-2017, 10:50 AM
Just planted it in a 21 inch container using an organic potting mix and compost. 50/50

We will see how it does. My plan is to grow it in a container for a year or so, then maybe transfer to ground if all goes well.