Musella lasiocarpa
 

A couple of lasiocarpas, at the Agri-Starts booth, in the Florida show.

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Re: Musella lasiocarpa
 

That is beautiful! About how tall would you say they were?

Re: Musella lasiocarpa
 

These were in containers, on a shelf, or table, so they look taller. I would say, from the soil line, to the top of the leaves, about six feet.

Re: Musella lasiocarpa
 

I've seen 6 foot or so plants in New Orleans. And then they bloom, wow, they're everywhere.

Re: Musella lasiocarpa
 

Wow...those look quite big! I didn't realize they ever even got that large!

Re: Musella lasiocarpa
 

Y'all, I must be some kind of freak.

I had this plant a few years ago and threw it away because I thought it was so damn ugly. Yea, it bloomed - and looked like a big yellow artichoke. I didn't find it any more cold hardy than anything else I was growing. I don't know, maybe I had it in too much shade...

Anyway, a couple of months ago I bought a nice one at Lowe's. Call it a weak moment of bananas dot org peer presure. It's okay, but I still ain't feelin the love. Am I missing something, or is there something wrong with me? Don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled that tissue culture has made something really rare and special common place, but gosh what an over rated plant.

Someone convince me I'm wrong.

R

Re: Musella lasiocarpa
 

I don't know if he posted a picture of it or not, but my friend, jimzone7, has one that must have 20 flowers on it, all at once.

Re: Musella lasiocarpa
 

Where was the "Florida Show"?

Re: Musella lasiocarpa
 

Pretty sure it was in Texas.....:ha: LOL....just messin' with ya :ha:

Re: Musella lasiocarpa
 

The show was the Florida Nursery Growers & Landscape Assn at the Orange County Convebtion Center, Oct. 1-3, in Orlando.

Re: Musella lasiocarpa
 

Maybe they're not banana plant enough for you? I dunno. I find them to be brilliant plants and unique to look at! They do not like cold, they are not cold tolerant, they barely come back after a freeze. And from what I can tell they do like sun or more sun than shade. When they get mature they are quite beautiful.

Certainly a one of a kind banana plant. It's good to have one just for that fact alone but all the other reasons I pointed out too. The whole trip is the blooms!

Re: Musella lasiocarpa
 

oo MAN! How do I find out about these things before they happen? I am so close to Orlando.

Re: Musella lasiocarpa
 

Re: Musella lasiocarpa
 

I love them, and am surprised to hear they aren't cold hardy. I thought I had read in several places that they are hardy to zone 5.

Mine is in a pot, I bought a small Basjoo but it turned out to be a Musella. It was in quite a bit of shade last summer and only morning sun this summer. The leaves are big and very blue.

I don't know how to post photos here, I guess you need an online photo source?? So, I put a photo of mine in my gallery.
Banana Gallery - Musella_7-30-09

I think they're probably best when they are single plants and don't have a ton of pups. Mine has never flowered for me, either.

Re: Musella lasiocarpa
 

Musella lasiocarpa is almost as cold hardy as musa basjoo. In my zone, I left my plants uncovered and unmulched all last winter. The pseudostems didn't even die back. They can take a lot of cold.

Re: Musella lasiocarpa
 

I keep hearing from folks on both sides of the fence on that one. I do however hear from more claiming they've successfully overwintered their M. lasiocarpas, some with minimal or no protection.

Here in Rochester, NY (zone 6) we are emerging from a couple-week cold-spell. The night time lows have been about 30°F (some nights down into upper 20's) and daytime hights have barely hit 45°F. With my Musellas outside, I thought they'd get some damage, but fortunately they are fine... so I'd say they can tolerate at least that much cold. How long for is my next question.