Banana ID

tikifarmer · 07-03-2007, 09:17 AM

On Saturday I picked up these banana plants . I think I got a pretty good deal at $29.95 each . The problem is I do not know what they are . I guess they could be Musa Basjoo but, I don't really know how to tell . I have a few small Musa Basjoo and the leaves seem to be a bit more pointed with a bit of red on center rib , more noticeable on the youngest leaves . I read something about the petioles being winged where the leaf attaches , not sure what that means exactly . The guy I bought them from said the mother plant that these originally came from had fruited but, I didn't ask if it was edible . I guess if I can't figure this out I will need to dig them out and store them inside over the winter . Sorry the pictures aren't the greatest .
Anyone have any ideas ?

MediaHound · 07-03-2007, 10:22 AM

Maybe Orinoco but please post pics when the first one blooms, looks like it won't be much longer of a wait, too.. looking at their size.

xyzzy · 07-03-2007, 01:04 PM

Doesn't look like basjoo. Don't think they are that.

Not sure what they are though. There isn't much to go by. The stems are narrow for their height and lush green stems, so they could be M Itinerans. The leaf separation and way the leaves hang look like M Itinerans. I wouldn't have expected that to flower though - unless the mum had once been twice that height of course! and the winged petioles don't match.

So that has me thinking Is it M. x paradisiaca (some seem to have winged petioles and some not)or other plantain?

Come on MediaHound I am sure you can solve this one?

M x Paradisiaca

Some of the ornamentals are green stemmed and spindly and of course it could be a cross bred.

Can we have some clearer photos e.g taken in daylight and closer up.

MediaHound · 07-03-2007, 05:51 PM

I'm sticking with Orinoco for now

tikifarmer · 07-04-2007, 07:40 PM

I'll try and get some better photos ...

Gabe15 · 07-05-2007, 08:10 PM

Its an edible variety for sure, reminiscent of 'Ice Cream' or 'Orinoco' as mentioned before, but don't take my word for it, a flower will tell all. It will not be hardy so you will need to bring them in.

07-03-2007, 09:17 AM	#1 (permalink)
tikifarmer Manure Spreader tikifarmer's Photo Gallery Location: South Central PA Zone: 6B Name: Rick Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 58 BananaBucks : 38,712 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 75 Times Was Thanked 130 Times in 21 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Banana ID On Saturday I picked up these banana plants . I think I got a pretty good deal at $29.95 each . The problem is I do not know what they are . I guess they could be Musa Basjoo but, I don't really know how to tell . I have a few small Musa Basjoo and the leaves seem to be a bit more pointed with a bit of red on center rib , more noticeable on the youngest leaves . I read something about the petioles being winged where the leaf attaches , not sure what that means exactly . The guy I bought them from said the mother plant that these originally came from had fruited but, I didn't ask if it was edible . I guess if I can't figure this out I will need to dig them out and store them inside over the winter . Sorry the pictures aren't the greatest . Anyone have any ideas ?

07-03-2007, 10:22 AM	#2 (permalink)
MediaHound Tally-Man MediaHound's Photo Gallery Location: Florida Find me on the map! Zone: 10 Name: Jarred Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 5,282 BananaBucks : 2,606,153 Feedback: 66 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,896 Times Was Thanked 5,136 Times in 1,367 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2,089 Times	Re: Banana ID Maybe Orinoco but please post pics when the first one blooms, looks like it won't be much longer of a wait, too.. looking at their size. __________________ Apologies in advance if I am slow to reply to your PM. I suggest posting in the forums for support if you need something urgent.

07-03-2007, 01:04 PM	#3 (permalink)
xyzzy Tropically Bonkers Location: Devon, UK. Find me on the map! Zone: 9b, but UK so no sun, always raining and infested with slugs. Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 120 BananaBucks : 48,317 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 0 Times Was Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Banana ID Doesn't look like basjoo. Don't think they are that. Not sure what they are though. There isn't much to go by. The stems are narrow for their height and lush green stems, so they could be M Itinerans. The leaf separation and way the leaves hang look like M Itinerans. I wouldn't have expected that to flower though - unless the mum had once been twice that height of course! and the winged petioles don't match. So that has me thinking Is it M. x paradisiaca (some seem to have winged petioles and some not)or other plantain? Come on MediaHound I am sure you can solve this one? M x Paradisiaca Some of the ornamentals are green stemmed and spindly and of course it could be a cross bred. Can we have some clearer photos e.g taken in daylight and closer up. __________________ There is no such thing as can't grow it - but the determination required may lose you your partner, family and friends - but does that matter?. Last edited by xyzzy : 07-03-2007 at 02:38 PM.

07-03-2007, 05:51 PM	#4 (permalink)
MediaHound Tally-Man MediaHound's Photo Gallery Location: Florida Find me on the map! Zone: 10 Name: Jarred Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 5,282 BananaBucks : 2,606,153 Feedback: 66 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,896 Times Was Thanked 5,136 Times in 1,367 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2,089 Times	Re: Banana ID I'm sticking with Orinoco for now __________________ Apologies in advance if I am slow to reply to your PM. I suggest posting in the forums for support if you need something urgent.

07-04-2007, 07:40 PM	#5 (permalink)
tikifarmer Manure Spreader tikifarmer's Photo Gallery Location: South Central PA Zone: 6B Name: Rick Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 58 BananaBucks : 38,712 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 75 Times Was Thanked 130 Times in 21 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Banana ID I'll try and get some better photos ...

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07-05-2007, 08:10 PM	#6 (permalink)
Gabe15 Moderator Gabe15's Photo Gallery Location: Oahu, Hawaii Find me on the map! Zone: 12 Name: Gabe Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 3,892 BananaBucks : 13,504,507 Feedback: 5 / 100% Said "Thanks" 2 Times Was Thanked 8,248 Times in 2,201 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 8 Times	Re: Banana ID Its an edible variety for sure, reminiscent of 'Ice Cream' or 'Orinoco' as mentioned before, but don't take my word for it, a flower will tell all. It will not be hardy so you will need to bring them in. __________________ Growing bananas in Colorado, Washington, Hawaii since 2004. Commercial banana farmer, 200+ varieties.

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