Please Help!!!
 

Hi, everyone. Does anyone know what kind of Musa this is? The nursery I bought it from said it was a basjoo, but I really don't think it is. Is it hardy for the SW B.C. climate?[IMG][/IMG]

Re: Please Help!!!
 

I think it is Musella lasiocarpa, aka Golden Lotus Banana. It is also very hardy.

Re: Please Help!!!
 

Thanks, Gabe! I'll google image it and see if they match up.

Re: Please Help!!!
 

Yes! It appears that my plant is a lasiocarpa. What sort of protection should I give them here in Greater Vancouver? I think the pseudostem must be a certain height before I can expect blooms.

Re: Please Help!!!
 

Zone 8 here too. It only takes a little cold to cause a mature plant to die out and pup like crazy. I suggest over wintering M. lasiocarpa in a pot indoors. We did this at work 2 years ago and the flower was stunning. I've noticed the pseudostem needs to be very thick and stocky before flowering occurs. Everyone M. lasciorpa that was left in the ground pupped and now we have 50 young plants.

Also, Ive noted that when M lasiocarpa pups frequently, they tend to drain the soil very quickly of nuitrients. LOL I'm lazy and usually add organic material and a slow release fertilizer with micro nutrients.:08:

Re: Please Help!!!
 

Please expand on the info, not much of a photo to identify it so how was it identified? The more I look the more I want to learn. Thanks

Re: Please Help!!!
 

Info:Identifying Bananas - Bananas Wiki :ha:

Re: Please Help!!!
 

Have looked and still do not see how it could be identified. Not to contest the expertice of Gabe, he is quite good, but where does one start to see what the plant is?

Re: Please Help!!!
 

You can tell it is Musella lasiocarpa from a few pieces of info.

Leaf shape: the tips are very pointed and the bases are tapered into the petiole.

Pseudostem: It is rather stout and significantly wider at the base then at the top. The live part of the leaf sheaths are slightly bulbous.

Cold hardiness: This species is also very hardy like M. basjoo, and so is often mixed up with it, but they are very easy to tell apart even when the plants are very young.

Re: Please Help!!!
 

Knowledge and how to use it is beautiful. Thanks