Is this a Siam Ruby??????
 

I just purchased this Banana today and I am not sure of what it is. It was being sold along with some Siam Ruby plants, however this one has only a slight hint of variegation one leaf and it is a pink streak from the mid rib out to the edge of the leaf. This plant was produce at a different nursery than the ones marked Siam Ruby and it was half the price.

If this is in fact a Siam Ruby, could someone give me some more information on it. I checked the Wiki and there is not a ton of information there. I realize it is a fairly new variety but I was wondering if anyone has had one produce fruit yet.

Whole plant:


Top of leaf:


Bottom of leaf:

Re: Is this a Siam Ruby??????
 

Yes, that is a Siam Ruby. You'll find them with varying degrees of green flecked throughout the leaves. The next leaf you plant puts out could look completely different. This is a highly variable plant.

I believe it is thought to have originated in either Paupua New Guinea or Thailand. It is not known for certain if this is an edible species, but I think most people do not think it is. Hardiness is still quite in question as well, though I think some of our members have had it come back from the corm in Zone 7 possibly.

Re: Is this a Siam Ruby??????
 

This is exactly how mine looked over the winter under artificial and ambient sunlight, Since being put outdoors they've turned bright red. It will be interesting to see if that's the case with yours because as Bananaman88 said they are highly variable.

Re: Is this a Siam Ruby??????
 

Siam Ruby indeed

Re: Is this a Siam Ruby??????
 

Getting it to flower & fruit will be a real challenge. Our dear friend Tog (Malaysia) said they never flowered there & are considered ornamentals, and no one here has ever had one flower/fruit.

Re: Is this a Siam Ruby??????
 

Yup yup....most definitely a SR. As for fruiting, I have not read any definitive reports on whether it produces edible fruit. It may.....but no one seems to have seen it happen. I purchased one at a greenhouse a few months back and have noticed the leaf coloration is very dependent on the amount of sunshine it gets. Mine was very pale when I first purchased it (it was being kept indoors at the time) with only a hint of red, but since I've had it outdoors, all the existing (and new leaves) have turned a deep red color. Here are some before/after pics:

And one month later:

Re: Is this a Siam Ruby??????
 

Re: Is this a Siam Ruby??????
 

Well since everyone is showing off their pics, I feel left out...Heres mine

Re: Is this a Siam Ruby??????
 

I've been told by a reliable source that the SR does bear seeded fruit.:waving: