Musa basjoo hybridizing
 

Is there any info out there on Musa basjoo hybridization? I have heard that it has been crossed with the blood leaf banana, but does better when crossed with M.initerans. Is there any more crosses that have been made? What would be some other good candidates? Is it the basjoo pollen that is the problem or the ovaries?

Re: Musa basjoo hybridizing
 

According to research done by Ken Shepherd and Simmonds...

-M. basjoo hybrids were only vigorous when basjoo is the female parent.
-Viable hybrids can be obtained by backcrossing M. basjoo with M. balbisiana.
- The M. basjoo used in hybrid studies was collected on the Liukiu islands (southern Japan).

-There is little genetic difference between M. basjoo and M. itinerans

Re: Musa basjoo hybridizing
 

Ken Sheperd was also successful with Musa. basjoo x M. velutina I believe, or maybe that was Simmonds.

I would love to see a hybrid with M. itinerans! The biggest drawback with M. itinerans is the traveling habit, so keeping it contained to a bed can prove difficult (especially because it send runners DEEP!). I think M. itinerans is a vastly more attractive banana than M. basjoo, but maybe that's just because it is still so new in cultivation and exciting to grow.