'Burmese Blue' question
 

OK, from time to time I've posted questions about this plant, now I have another. I'm not sure how many people here are growing this one. I bought mine off of E-bay last spring, so who knows if it is really even BB. I'm hoping to see mine flower this year and maybe if it sets fruit I'll know for sure. My question is, does anyone know if it is a runner like M. laterita? My BB (if that's what it is) has survived just fine outside this winter (Zone 9). It is currently putting out some new growth; however, recently a pup came up about 3' away that looks just like it. I had removed a laterita from this same location a year ago because it ran too much for my taste. I'm going to be a bit bummed out if this turns out to be a runner too! I've pretty much ruled out that it may be a left over rhizome of laterita because they really don't look the same. Anybody have any thoughts on this for me? Thanks!

Re: 'Burmese Blue' question
 

What is in cultivation in the United States, and probably anywhere else outside of Thailand, is probably not 'Burmese Blue'. The true 'Burmese Blue' is a massive plant, with a pseudostem approaching or exceeding 30 feet or more. The plant sold here as 'Burmese Blue' could be Musa itinerans var. guangdongensis, and would have short rhizomes up to .3 meters long. It is a "loose" clumper, unlike var. itinerans which can send rhizomes out to 2 meters away, or var. xishuangbannensis which can send rhizomes out up to 5 meters away (!). If yours sent a pup out 3 feet away, you could have M. itinerans var. itinerans.

When it does flower, do not be surprised to see no fruits form at all. Most M. itinerans, except for var. xishuangbannensis, have female flowers that need to be pollinated in order to form fruit. Variety guangdongensis does have green to purple fruits at maturity though!

Post some pictures of yours when it leafs out.

Re: 'Burmese Blue' question
 

Thanks for the info, Frank. I did read your posts on the recent description of the itinerans forms and it made me start wondering about this then. There is at least one picture of my plant in my gallery if you want to check it out. I will definitely post some pics once it gets a few good leaves on it this year. The odd thing is that the pup has about 3 leaves already, while the mother plant had some, but the cool weather and wind keeps doing them in. I've had to cut them off and it is currently pushing out a new leaf. Hopefully this one will fare better. I'll keep you posted!

Re: 'Burmese Blue' question
 

Can't anwser the runner part of your question, but my seed grown one was more cold hardy than my other "initerans" bananas. I'm kinda kicking myself now for killing it though, it showed some promise for a cold hardy nanner.

Re: 'Burmese Blue' question
 

Judging from the picture in your gallery, it does look like a Musa itinerans form. With the pups in the picture being so close to the mother pseudostem, I'd be inclined to say var. guangdongensis, but all I have to go by are descriptions on paper and a few pictures of mature fruit and flowers. Hard to tell at that size. If it did indeed send a pup out three feet away though, that would probably rule out var. guangdongensis.

Kyle, did you get your var. guangdongensis seeds from Trebrown?

Re: 'Burmese Blue' question
 

I think I got the seeds from the former Gingerwood nursery. Too bad he disappeared.

Re: 'Burmese Blue' question
 

I had forgotten about the pups it sent up last year that were very close to the mother plant. I have one of them growing in a pot right now. The other pup just sort of withered away, then the one popped up about 3' away a few weeks ago. Weird.

Re: 'Burmese Blue' question
 

Iʻve seen them send out some pretty long rhizomes, I dont remember exactly how long, and appearently I didnt take any pictures of them, but I remember they were at least 5ft-8ft apart.

Re: 'Burmese Blue' question
 

I didn't realize when I purchased it that BB was a runner (if this really is BB). The whole reason I moved the M. laterita that I had there a couple years ago was I got tired of trying to keep it contained! Great, from one runner to another!