jpfloors

I just got my Musa Itinerans to germinate after TWO WEEKS!!!! Yay for me! Two trials, one set soaked for three days, the second for 10, ALL germinated since I planted the first set less than two weeks ago and the second a week ago. The second set actually started germinating while soaking! I harvested one seedling already into a small pot individually locked into a ziplock in the shade for now so that it can start pushing out that first leaf. I know it's a little early to be thinking of planting it in the ground, but I just realized they arn't very sun tollerant. Does anyone with experiance or know how much sun it too much sun? I have a great shade spot under a 50-60 foot pine tree that my neighbores have, but it only provides shade for half of the day. Would that be enough? Can't wait til it gets big enough to try!!!! I have several germinating, so when they get big enough I might sell or trade some if anyone would be interested! My cam is out of commision for a day (have to go buy new batteries), I'll take a picture later!

bigdog

What was your seed source? The reason I ask is because it could be Musa yunnanensis, mislabeled as M. itinerans (fairly likely). Both of them can take quite a bit of shade, by the way, and if you are in Florida, at least some partial shade from the afternoon sun would be recommended.

Congrats, btw!

jpfloors

Thanks Frank, but curious why would you think that the seeds would be misrepresented? They came from Banana Seeds A-Z from Georgia Vines. I've dealt with her several times before and never gone wrong! Any specific reason so then I can direct that question to my source? This is the description given on her website, "10 seeds of this banana very rare Musa itinerans or Musa Yunnan, from the Himalayan mountain region of Tibet. This giant 40 foot banana is cold hardy to 28 degrees. The non-edible fruit is blunt shaped and is pink to dark lavender in color and the blue-grreen trunk is a real eyecatcher. Very hard to find plants."

I hope that it is the Itinerans that gets to 40ft. I think that'd be AWSOME to have a banana tree in my back yard that tall... but kind of hard to hide that from the sun here in FL!

I actually receive 8 varieties from her and so far three varieties have began to germinate! Itinerans, Violacea and Velutina....

I see that you have a very nice portfolio of musa species in your profile! Have you had much luck with your itinerans/yunnan? What is the difference between the Itinerans listed in the Wiki and the Yunnanensis, in the wiki, but with no info, just your picture and someone elses. I'm guessing the yunnanensis doesn't get to 40 ft. tall since you have it planted directly beside your house?!?

Yes, the pine tree in my neighbores yard provides lots of shade after 1pm. That's where I planted my veggie garden as the strong sun light here in FL is known for killing vegetables at full strength all day!

jpfloors

Here is a picture of my already germinated "Itinerans"

jungle larry

I have had Musa itinerans from three different sources; two separate sources of seed and tissue cultured plants. They all did fine with sun most of the day as long as they had water. I'm in S.E. North Carolina.

Sodak

Does anyone sell Itinerans plants other than TC's? Who?

Thanks!

jpfloors

I'll sell one to you as soon as it gets larger!!!! I have many seedlings germinating!

bigdog

The seeds are misrepresented because they got them from somebody else who had them misidentified. It's not really their fault. If you do a search on this site, you will find several threads about the confusion about Musa yunnanensis/Musa itinerans. Basically, seeds were originally sold by rarepalmseeds.com as Musa itinerans. This banana later proved to not be M. itinerans, but a new species described as M. yunnanensis. The banana you have will get about 15 feet of pseudostem in Florida, give or take.

My Musa yunnanensis is very cold hardy, and is an attractive alternative to M. basjoo. I'm not sure about the Wiki, I haven't checked it recently.

Sodak

Sold! You have a deal for sure.

On another note. I did check out the grove(s) at Lieu Gardens in Orlando. There were several blooming but no seed to be had.

I will definitely want one or a few when they're ready. Please let me know.

Thanks!

jpfloors

Sure, I will definately keep you in mind Sodak, but did you read above from Big Dog? He says this really is most likely a Musa Yunnanensis!

jpfloors

Would you mind updating the Wiki with whatever info you have Frank? Or post it here and I can do it for you! I personally just want to know about two things. How tall does the Yunnanensis get (you answered) and somewhat a description of it's fruit and flower? But any other info would be great as well! Personally not too worried about it's cold hardiness... I'm in zone 10a afterall! But might interest others as to how hardy it is if you know that info!

Thanks, Josh!

Sodak

Either one would be a great addition. But, the cold "hardier" the better!