PaulOdin

I've been trying to google information about this banana, w/out much luck, but for some reason I keep finding information on human/alien hybrids in a book by someone named Helen.
Has anyone gotten fruit from it? is it really edible, even w/ seeds? The pictures look pretty good! Err, meaning the plant, not the human/alien, etc.

Paul

Gard

I don't know anything about it, but I'm trying to germinate it now.

Gard

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mrbungalow

My knowledge/observations:
- Hybrid between sikkimensis and "Musa Chini champa"
- Quick and easy from seed (RPS)
- Extreme vigour, sometimes sprouting several shoots from the seed
- Extremely fast growing, even at low temps.
- Nice colours: Dark green. Red undersides of leaf and powdery upper stems. Leaf shape is more like balbisiana than regular sikkimensis. Also, leaves are not as variegated as sikkimensis. Stems are thinner, giving an elegant appearance.
- No idea about fruit, but I would imagine there are a few seeds.
- No idea about overwintering. Will try a 5-footer outside this winter.

Erlend

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Basjoofriend

I have also 3 plants of this hybrid. I also will test their hardiness next year, but I will overwinter them this winter in my greenhouse cool, nearly dry and frostfree.

It might be hardier than Orinoco and might be the hardiest fruit banana, currently.

But one of my specimens has also some striped leaves like Red Tiger! See also my gallery.

Best regards
Basjoofriend

mrbungalow

From what I understand the fruit is loaded with seeds, so it's probably like growing musa sikkimensis for fruit.

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Gabe15

When crossing landraces and species, it is important to note which was male and which was female, however this information is obviously not available for this hybrid. The reason being, that in some crosses using the same varieties, depending on which one was female and which was male can determine if parthenocarpic traits get passed down. It seems that if they have a reliable true to type seed source, then these plants are not parthenocarpic. I tried to find genetic information on 'Chini Champa' and it looks like it is a diploid (AB) landrace. Musa sikkimensis is also diploid (SS), so it is likely that this hybrid is also diploid.

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Basjoofriend

It is possible, that Helen's hybrid has AS and BS seedlings.

Explaination:
S=sikkimensis
A=acuminata
B=balbisiana

The Helen's Hybrid has to triploidize, so ASS or BSS. Or one triploid sikkimensis (SSS). So that we get genuine hardy fruit bananas for climate with cold winters!


Best wishes
Basjoofriend

JoeReal

We've been eating mutants, and was wondering when it's our turn...

jeffreyp

it's called Necrotizing Fasciitis

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mrbungalow

Interesting, Basjoofriend.
Maybe it could be this simple?
Maybe Balbisiana is dominant over Acuminata?
My observation is that all my Musa Helens have typical "balbisiana shaped" leaves.

Erlend

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Gabe15

I think basjoofriend is suggesting the need for triploid Helen's Hybrid, for cold hardy edibles. Personally if I could cross bananas so easily I would start with M. yunnanensis and M. 'Saba', anyone up for the challenge?

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jeffreyp

I have a forest of Saba, unfortunately no yannanensis.

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Basjoofriend

Yes, I suggested. I know one friend, who is biologist and genetic engineer. I requested him to triploidize Helen's hybrid and sikkimensis. I sent him two seedlings for his laboratory in Vienna/Austria some weeks ago.

Now he has a very good job, so that he will have enough money to buy a banana plantation in Brasil next year. I also will get a banana plantation in Brasil, will travel next year, one banana farmer offers me one part of his banana plantation.

So it might be possible to try to cross hardy bananas with fruit bananas. + :06: =

Best wishes
Basjoofriend

jeffreyp

basjoo friend..that was hilarious...

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Taylor

HAHAHA Oh wow! That was unexpected!

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Taylor

Update:
23 California Gold fruit expected by Thanksgiving!
Harvested!

eggo

"Has anyone gotten fruit from it? is it really edible, even w/ seeds?"

From the pictures I seen of the fruit. The seeds appears to center in the middle of the fruit. So from appearance it seems easier to eat when compared to other seeded bananas.

Mustang

I'm currently overwintering a small one in a (hopefully) frost-free greenhouse. And have got some seeds on the go, waiting to germinate.

This is one nana that I simply had to have ... given it's got my name on it.

bigdog

I just wanted to add to Erlend's statement of extreme vigor and fast growth. I sprouted one of these last Fall, and it is growing like mad right now! It is in a greenhouse, and should be of very good size by the time Spring rolls around (like several feet tall). I've been feeding it only every other week, and it looks great. I just stuck a big handful of Osmocote in the pot the other day when I repotted it. Can't wait to get this one in the ground!

bencelest

Bigdog:
I am still trying to findout the kind of fertilizer I wanted to use with my new bananas I received a few days ago. They are all in pots.
I would like to know the percent od NPK of your osmocote please. Is it also with micronutrients?

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Banana Nut

bigdog

I don't know! It was some older stuff in the greenhouse in an unlabeled plastic container. I have been using some Peter's 20-20-20 on it also, every other week. I'll see if I can find out from my prof. what the ratio is on the Osmocote. He may still know.