Musa Mahoi logistics--basic cultural questions.
 

I'm considering buying this dwarf species to grow in a container here in zone 6, and it will be my first nanner. I've read that this species grows 5' to 7' tall, according to the reports. I realize that the larger the pot (other factors being the same), the happier the plant. Is a 10 gallon pot (approx 16 " W × 12" deep) too small to allow decent fruiting?

How likely is it that 7' is really the upper limit,* and does this mean that it probably won't touch the 7.5' ceiling in my home? Obviously I'm thinking about the 8 months or so that the plant would spend indoors.* If a banana is pushing the height limit, would carefully shortening it*be ill-advised? As long as a developing inflo isn't damaged, will shortening the plant during the 'indoor' months (i.e. winter!) adversely impact its ability to flower, and set fruit later, in the summer? Is it as simple as trimming the topmost leaves almost down to the pseudo
stem? I would like to avoid cutting off a large part of the pseudostem, as has been discussed elsewhere. Maybe I should stick with a variety like 'Truly Tiny' or dwarf red?

Any practical advice or caveats will be greatly appreciated--Thanks!

Rick in CT
Banana wrangler :camelnaner::ropingnaner:
wanabee

Re: Musa Mahoi logistics--basic cultural questions.
 

Banana plant heights refer to the pseudostem height and not the overall height of the plant. Many sellers of plants do not realize this and list banana plant heights as if they are the total height of the plant. Here's a photo of Dwarf Brazilian on the left and Tall Namwah on the right, a few months prior to fruiting:

Re: Musa Mahoi logistics--basic cultural questions.
 

I've gotten a few PM's suggesting that even a dwarf musa would be an exercise in frustration for most northern gardeners without a greenhouse. The only ones I might try are 'Truly Tiny', and possibly 'Novak'. At least if these don't work out, I won't be losing a lot in time and effort. I also have these velutina seedlings started, which should be interesting.

Now, if anyone has a spare pup, plmk....

Thanks,

Rick in CT
banana wrangler :camelnaner::ropingnaner:
wanabee. ...

Re: Musa Mahoi logistics--basic cultural questions.
 

Just for size comparison....plant is 1/4 size and will get bigger.
Truly in a 3 gal container.
Stem is short and thick and solid.
Waist high.
Circumference is shy of 3 feet.
Weatherbee Nursery
.Weatherbee Nursery
100_2284 by Hostafarian, on Flickr
Same Truly in a 10 gal container.
Cincinnana Nursery
.
Untitled by Hostafarian, on Flickr