Upham giant Basjoo
 

Just been reading this about a new giant strain of Basjoo. Have any of you heard any thing about it your side of the water ?
new variety of Musa basjoo....
Posted: 16 Feb 2008 4:07pm

16 Feb 2008

Ok it isn't a palm but then I think many of us grow banana species of some form or another!

I noticed in the summer 2007 issue of the Southeastern Palms journal (USA) an intersting article on a new form of Musa basjoo called 'Upham Giant' TM ... a trade marked form being micro propagated in the USA. It came as an unamed potted banana plant in 2000 which was acquired and planted at the Miami university garden at Upham Palm Court. It looked like Musa basjoo but as it grew people began to notice that it was growing differently to 'regular' basjoo!

The reports write that by 2005 established clumps were topping 21ft in height in a single season despite going through a sub zero winter beforehand! The plant was also making longer and wider leaves and a taller pseudostem! It was also noticed that in winter more of the stem survived above ground despite cold weather. In summer 2005 a stem flowered which enabled it to be identified as a clone of Musa basjoo.

The university have trade marked the plant and it is being produced commercially now for hopeful release in 2008. Could be a vigourous and more cold resistant form that will further extend the regions able to grow this great plant and worth keeping an eye out for!

Re: Upham giant Basjoo
 

I had the opportunity to meet and talk with Dr. David Franko, "Palms won't Grow Here", in the fall of 2006. He spoke of this strain and said they were in the process of development and hoped to have it out sometime in the future. Dr. Franko has moved to the University in Alabama, so I am not sure who is still working on this project. I do not see him being able to take this strain with him since the University of Miami (Ohio) trade marked it. I would like to hear more about its progress though. I will be following this thread to see if anyone else has more info on it....

Re: Upham giant Basjoo
 

that would be so awesome for people living in the colder climates. not having to worry if its gonna make it or not, it would be worth its weight in gold!is it gonna be released in large quanities, do you know? would love to have a couple 8 of them. lol

Re: Upham giant Basjoo
 

That would be great for me. Lower power bill.

I wonder if the plant has a much thicker Pstem than other plants. That would help make the Pstem hardier.

Allen

Re: Upham giant Basjoo
 

We would like to know more as well.

Re: Upham giant Basjoo
 

Wow, that is very interesting for us in the north :D

Re: Upham giant Basjoo
 

Here is a link to the site from Miami University that has info as to their research. Like I stated earlier, Dr. Francko has left there and is now employed by University of Alabama. I have emailed him to see if we can't get more info on this banana.

Plants

I just heard from Dr. Francko, and he is checking with his contacts at Miami University to see where they stand on the release and/or research on the 'Upham Giant'. I will report back to this thread as I learn more from him...

Re: Upham giant Basjoo
 

Very interesting. Sounds like it could further populate banana plants for people in cold parts of the US. I'm not that far from Miami University :).

Re: Upham giant Basjoo
 

Thats interesting. My basjoo mat is 5 years old and reaches only 7 to 8 feet of pseudostem and leaves to about 15 feet, even if I had 3 to 4 feet of pseudostem survive through the winter.

Zac

Re: Upham giant Basjoo
 

randy please keep us posted on this. it is very interesting. and hopefully we can populate tn. with nana trees. lol.

Re: Upham giant Basjoo
 

Wow,

I'd love to have one of those to add to my northern tropical garden. With the short growing season up here I wonder how big one of these might get.

Re: Upham giant Basjoo
 

Wow I woud like to have just one.:jumpingonbednaner:

Re: Upham giant Basjoo
 

I was wondering how they replicated zone 6 climate, but reading on, I see this Miami University isnt in Miami. LOL :)

Re: Upham giant Basjoo
 

The interesting information. It would be desirable to look photos of a plant in weigh its growth and flowering.:2738:

Re: Upham giant Basjoo
 

Randy did you ever hear back from Dr. Francko? I live pretty close to Miami university and would love to get my hands on one of thease.

Re: Upham giant Basjoo
 

I'd love to hear more. Basjoo is one of the most amazing banana's for us colder climate growers.

Re: Upham giant Basjoo
 

I have yet to hear back from Dr. Francko, but I will try and touch base with him soon. As soon as I do, I will pass the info on.

Re: Upham giant Basjoo
 

Ok I did a little poking around and sent a few emails and I have a small lead!! Hopefully Ill be able to figure out the status of this banana and if any are available.

Re: Upham giant Basjoo
 

Looking foreward to it already :)

Re: Upham giant Basjoo
 

Well I haven't heard back about the status of its propagation. It was supposed to be but I'm a little unsure if its actually happening.

However I have heard back from someone that told me its still there at MU and I'm going to see if I can't just get a pup off the mat.

I haven't really decided yet if I think its just regular basjoo or not. Either way hopefully Ill be able to get one and decide myself.