M. balbisiana x M. dasycarpa
 

I grew this plant from seed. The cross was performed by Richard Wallace some years ago and the seeds have been extremely easy to germinate. Each seedling is very different from the next, this specimen is very vigorous and grew and flowered quickly. All of them so far have shown some form of variegation in varying degrees.

On the left is M. dasycarpa (aka M. velutina), in the center is the hybrid, and on the the right a form of M. balbisiana.

Re: M. balbisiana x M. dasycarpa
 

Wow, Gabe, what a proud moment for you! Congratulations, it has to feel rewarding to create something unique and see it grow.

Re: M. balbisiana x M. dasycarpa
 

I like the Red color! Even more I love the size of your green house! Thats awesome!!!

Re: M. balbisiana x M. dasycarpa
 

Thanks for the pics, Gabe! Now I know what to expect from mine when it flowers. The bud looks like it can't decide what do do, lol. I'm guessing that the basal flowers are not hermaphrodite? Is pollen produced?

Re: M. balbisiana x M. dasycarpa
 

It would be awesome if I had a greenhouse that large, but this was taken at the Denver Botanic Garden where I donated much of my collection.

And as another note, in the composite photo, the one on the left was taken on campus here at my school (University of Hawaii at Manoa) and the photo on the right was taken at the National Botanic Gardens in Washington DC.


I couldn't find any pollen and from what I could tell of the dried up basal flowers, if they are fertile then they are functionally female. There seemed to be some type of vestigial anthers but they certainly were not hermaphroditic. I am hoping this plant will at least be receptive to some pollen for breeding. It was nice to see it incorporate the small size and quick flower of the Rhodochlamys. There are other Musa sections species that are much older in the same size pot that have never flowered in that greenhouse. The reason it got a bigger pot was because it was growing so fast it outgrew the 1 gal in 1 week after planting and out grew its 3 gal in another week. At least in Denver, it is very vigorous.

Re: M. balbisiana x M. dasycarpa
 

Bravo Gabe, that's awesome.

Re: M. balbisiana x M. dasycarpa
 

Here is one of its brothers. This specimen is very slow and has variegated leaves. Each seedling is very different from the next, and hopefully by growing enough out I can find a good one to use in breeding.

Re: M. balbisiana x M. dasycarpa
 

My Mona Lisa has variegated leaves just like those. Interesting.

Re: M. balbisiana x M. dasycarpa
 

Nice work, Gabe! Keep us posted.

Re: M. balbisiana x M. dasycarpa
 

Lucky you Gabe! Amazing banana! Excellent!!!

Re: M. balbisiana x M. dasycarpa
 

Wow! One interesting cross!!! One must have for my garden in Brazil and also for Helton from Frutas Raras!!! Are now seeds available?

Are also there successfull basjoo hybrids?? One basjoo x velutina might be very interesting, much hardier than velutina.

I also have Musa basjoo in Brazil!!! I could take one basjoo pup with success to Brazil, it survived and grew on, is thriving very well there under tropical conditions and has also now further pups. I will try to cross with basjoo!

Best wishes
Joachim