Robert

I have a banana and I wonder what it is.

I have a colony of 5 or six lasiocarpas, which I know are correctly ID'd because I watched it bloom. The mystery nanner was a gift and is supposed to be hardy here in 7b. That narrows things down a good deal. Lasiocarpa, basjoo or.......what?

My plant is a bit different from my lasiocarpas in that there are fewer main veins in the leaves. Is it possible that a different clone could have fewer veins than all my other lasiocarpas?

It is also much fatter at ground level even though the plant isn't as large as the lasios. Just recently, the last few leaves are becoming more narrow than the lasios, but some of the lasios' leaves seem to be as narrow, but most are wider in sillhouette than the mystery one's leaves, for the most part. Earlier on, the only consistant difference was the veining.

Here are a couple pix of the mystery banana.

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showp...500&ppuser=451


http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showp...500&ppuser=451

Anyone rcognize this one or suggest possibilities?

Zac in NC

Looks like Musella lasiocarpa to me. Perhaps it is just a different clone than the one you have in the ground.

Zac

JoeS475

I second that. The leaves look just like one of mine, and the way the pups are growing from the pseudostem is exactly like what I have, different to any of the musas I am growing.

~Joe

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MediaHound

Here you go





I third that.

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Apologies in advance if I am slow to reply to your PM. I suggest posting in the forums for support if you need something urgent.

Robert

Thanks Zak, Joe, Jarred. Now I know.

I was wishing that one clump was basjoo--really want some of that one!

Guess I'll be looking for someone who wants to trade lasio for basjoo.......

Robert. 7b in NC.
PS I.m gonna put my next pix in-line. That's much better!

MediaHound

nice yard, btw

more bananas = less mowing

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Apologies in advance if I am slow to reply to your PM. I suggest posting in the forums for support if you need something urgent.

jeffreyp

I fourth that...

Robert

Thanks, jeffreyp !

Robert

I was out cutting leaves off my Musella lasiocarpas to prepare for winter and here's something I noticed: the cut petioles don't have that "banana peel" scent that most (all?) Musas have. Just a sort of plain "green" vegetative odor.

Anyone know whether Musa basjoo has that smell to it?

JoeS475

Robert,
Although I have both types of plants you ask about, I've not noticed the scent you are talking about, but when I cut them down (very soon now I'm sure) I will be sure to check.

Question... I was looking at your gallery and noticed your Musa Acuminata 'Rojo' - Is this simply another name for Zebrina, or are they two different types of Acuminata (I got lost reading the "scientific names" thread!)? To me it looks very similar indeed, but maybe a little less red on the top side of the leaves than my Zebrina has.

~Joe

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Robert

Joe~

From what I understand, they're all the same plant.

Musa acuminata 'Sumatrana' is 'Zebrina' is 'Rojo' is 'Bloodleaf' and vice versas.

There might be different clones available that have differences in coloration.

Maybe one of the resident experts can tell you more.

Robert.

Gabe15

They are the same plant. the proper name is Musa acuminata ssp. zebrina. But commercially they go under Rojo, Sumatrana, Christmas Banana, Blood Banana and others.

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Growing bananas in Colorado, Washington, Hawaii since 2004. Commercial banana farmer, 200+ varieties.

JoeS475

Good to know, thanks guys.

~Joe

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