Musa Root issues

DebCA · 01-28-2007, 06:18 AM

Newbie here. I've seen a number of pictures of M. basjoos that started as 1 plant (kept in ground) and it ended up yielding several plants within like 4 years or so (saw this on Dave's Garden and elsewhere). Is this typical of all musas? Can you control the spreading? I read somewhere online that a guy found a banana plant growing on his side of the fence (originated on his neighbor's side of the fence) and this got me to thinking about possible problems; and since we live in a close development with party fences I thought I should check this out ahead of time. I know that bamboo can be invasive and am wondering if musas can be too.

Also wondering if musas have a root system that will crack and uplift nearby concrete? What has your experience been?

Thanks.

Debbie

Not really related to the subject at hand at all, but I came across a Michelia figo (Banana shrub) that is pretty cool. It's a small, dense-branched evergreen shrub or small tree that has a banana-like scent. Found this on www.monrovia.com . It's cold hardy to zone 9. Trying to figure out if I have room in our landscape plan for one. Since I won't be growing musas for the fruit thought this might make a nice reminder of them.

mrbungalow · 01-28-2007, 08:39 AM

Banana-pups are more of a gift than a nuiscance.
Bananas are not invasive (like bamboo), and are easy to control, atleast in climates outside their natural range. Most musas develop suckers close to the stem, and suckers can easily be dug off and given away to a friend or sold on e-bay. Be sure you dig the suckers off, if you cut them off they will start from the cutting-point. Banana-Roots are not strong, shallow running, and do not have the strength to do any real damage.

Offcourse, if you are really concerned you could allways install an underground screen, such as the type used for bamboo.

DebCA · 01-28-2007, 02:32 PM

Thanks for the info. I've read a few threads about pups but hadn't realized they were from the same plant, just thought they were young plants. Is there any area of the board or a particular thread that explains all the basics for the beginner?

JoeReal · 02-01-2007, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrbungalow

Banana-pups are more of a gift than a nuiscance.
Bananas are not invasive (like bamboo), and are easy to control, atleast in climates outside their natural range.

In my friend's yard, just the next block way, M. lassiocarpa, aka "THE WORLD'S RAREST BANANA" is very invasive, produce a lot of pups, tons and tons of pups. Long after you thought you remove them, they will come back... Took us 2 1/2 years to totally get rid of it.

DebCA · 02-16-2007, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeReal

In my friend's yard, just the next block way, M. lassiocarpa, aka "THE WORLD'S RAREST BANANA" is very invasive, produce a lot of pups, tons and tons of pups. Long after you thought you remove them, they will come back... Took us 2 1/2 years to totally get rid of it.

LOL "rarest banana"! If I'm not mistaken, I think that's the cool-looking yellow flower low-ground plant? If so, my husband also thought it was kind of cool and something we were considering. It maybe more work than we're up to. I'll be sure to check it out.

BTW I read somewhere that gophers LOVE banana plants. Our next door neighbor had their whole backyard full of gopher holes last summer. They didn't know what gophers were so we told them to check out "Caddyshack". We only had one hole in our yard and I think maybe the fact that we had our "weed" yard sprayed might have made our greens less tasty.

Much of yard will end up being hardscape with planting beds along the side and by the house and a somewhat small narrow patch of grass in the middle. What do people do to protect their musas? I really would hate to see them devowered by the little critters.

01-28-2007, 06:18 AM	#1 (permalink)
DebCA Junior Member Location: CA Find me on the map! Zone: Zone 9a (Sunset 14) Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 25 BananaBucks : 602 Feedback: 0 / 0% Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Welcomes: 0	Musa Root issues Newbie here. I've seen a number of pictures of M. basjoos that started as 1 plant (kept in ground) and it ended up yielding several plants within like 4 years or so (saw this on Dave's Garden and elsewhere). Is this typical of all musas? Can you control the spreading? I read somewhere online that a guy found a banana plant growing on his side of the fence (originated on his neighbor's side of the fence) and this got me to thinking about possible problems; and since we live in a close development with party fences I thought I should check this out ahead of time. I know that bamboo can be invasive and am wondering if musas can be too. Also wondering if musas have a root system that will crack and uplift nearby concrete? What has your experience been? Thanks. Debbie Not really related to the subject at hand at all, but I came across a Michelia figo (Banana shrub) that is pretty cool. It's a small, dense-branched evergreen shrub or small tree that has a banana-like scent. Found this on www.monrovia.com . It's cold hardy to zone 9. Trying to figure out if I have room in our landscape plan for one. Since I won't be growing musas for the fruit thought this might make a nice reminder of them.

01-28-2007, 08:39 AM	#2 (permalink)
mrbungalow Freezing member mrbungalow's Photo Gallery Location: Bergen, Norway Find me on the map! Zone: 8 Name: Erlend Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 591 BananaBucks : 7,704 Feedback: 0 / 0% Thanks: 12 Thanked 83 Times in 49 Posts Welcomes: 3	Re: Musa Root issues Banana-pups are more of a gift than a nuiscance. Bananas are not invasive (like bamboo), and are easy to control, atleast in climates outside their natural range. Most musas develop suckers close to the stem, and suckers can easily be dug off and given away to a friend or sold on e-bay. Be sure you dig the suckers off, if you cut them off they will start from the cutting-point. Banana-Roots are not strong, shallow running, and do not have the strength to do any real damage. Offcourse, if you are really concerned you could allways install an underground screen, such as the type used for bamboo. __________________

01-28-2007, 02:32 PM	#3 (permalink)
DebCA Junior Member Location: CA Find me on the map! Zone: Zone 9a (Sunset 14) Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 25 BananaBucks : 602 Feedback: 0 / 0% Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Welcomes: 0	Re: Musa Root issues Thanks for the info. I've read a few threads about pups but hadn't realized they were from the same plant, just thought they were young plants. Is there any area of the board or a particular thread that explains all the basics for the beginner?

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