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View Full Version : Musa 'Balboa'


RobG7aChattTN
05-24-2009, 05:10 PM
Here are some photos taken just minutes ago of my Musa 'Balboa':http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=17662&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=17662&limit=recent)
There is an old thread of this Musa, but I wanted to start a new one since the old one was mostly trying to figure out what this one is. I belive the consensus was that it is some unknown sikkimensis hybrid. Here is the emerging leaf:
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=17661&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=17661&limit=recent)
It has a nice maroon back and midrib. On smaller plants it also has some maroon variegation:
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=17660&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=17660&limit=recent)
And the pseudostem has a little maroon with a nice powdery white blush:http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=17658&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=17658&limit=recent)
This is after two winters in the ground and so far the largest pseudostem dies back and the corm recovers from a pup (except a pup that was seperated did recover from last years pup). The parent plant (in San Diego) is well over 22' tall and produces a fruit that is almost all seed.

Randy4ut
05-24-2009, 07:11 PM
Boy, can I vouch for this one also!!! Rob, yours looks great!!! Mine is only now about 2' of pstem, but I think may have a bit more maroon than yours (younger brother??). LOL Anyway, I really do like this one for the coloration and its hardiness!!! Thanks for sharing neighbor!!!

bigdog
05-24-2009, 07:34 PM
Mine was getting some really nice size to it before it rotted away. The one pup I have left that is growing is recovering from being placed into the sun from the greenhouse (as are the rest of my bananas). Pics when it recovers! Yours looks really nice, Rob. Thanks again for obtaining some seed from the parent clump!

Frank

Taylor
05-24-2009, 11:04 PM
That looks great, Rob! Much more vibrant color than basjoo.

Are those returning Pink China elephant ears beside it?

RobG7aChattTN
05-25-2009, 07:51 AM
Those are actually 'Ruffles', but I do have a few 'Pink China' that are coming up as well. I also have some 'Burgundy Stem' and a 'Frontanessi' and some unknown type from Vietnam that are already up with no winter protection.

Taylor
05-25-2009, 01:25 PM
Too cool! I lost many of my elephant ears (including those types) by overwintering them inside because I didn't think they were hardy. Good to see yours look great!