Maintenance Landscaping Design

Musa basjoo is a perennial plant that grows up to 25 feet tall. It is native to China, where it is used as a traditional medicine. The plant has large, blue-green leaves and a thick stem. The stem is covered with a brownish-red bark that is smooth to the touch. The leaves are 6-8 inches long and 2-3 inches wide. The flowers are yellow and blooming occurs in late summer. The plant is hardy in USDA zones 5-9.

Alternative name

• Bananaquit
  
• Carrotwood
  
• Cheesewood
  
• False Kamani
  
• Hog Plum

Good to Know

• Musa basjoo is a species of banana native to China and Japan.
  
• It is the most cold-tolerant banana species, and can withstand temperatures as low as ?12 °C (10 °F).
  
• The plant is fast-growing and can reach heights of up to 6 m (20 ft).
  
• The leaves are large and paddle-shaped, up to 5 m (8 ft) long and 60 cm (2 ft) wide.
  
• The flowers are white or pale pink, and borne in clusters.
  
• The fruit is a large, starchy banana, up to 30 cm (12 in) long and 10 cm (4 in) wide.
  
• Musa basjoo is widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions for its ornamental value and for the edible fruit.
  
• It is also used as an alternative source of fibre and as a biofuel.
  
• Musa basjoo is classified as an invasive species in some countries, as it can easily escape from cultivation and become a weed.
  
• The plant contains compounds that may be toxic to humans and animals if consumed in large quantities.

Planting Process

1. For musa basjoo, first step is to choose the right spot in your garden. This plant prefers full sun, but can also tolerate some shade.
   
2. The second step is to prepare the soil. Musa basjoo grows best in well-drained, fertile soil.
   
3. Once you have chosen the spot and prepared the soil, it is time to plant your musa basjoo.
   
4. Water the plant regularly, making sure the soil is evenly moist but not soggy.
   
5. Fertilize your musa basjoo every month during the growing season.
   
6. When the plant flowers, pollinate the flowers by hand using a small paintbrush.
   
7. After the flowers have been pollinated, small bananas will begin to form.
   
8. Once the bananas are about the size of your thumb, they are ready to be harvested.
   
9. Simply cut the banana bunch from the plant and enjoy!
   
10. If you want to overwinter your musa basjoo, cut the plant back to about 3 feet tall and cover it with a thick layer of mulch.

Related plant:
Musa Banana

The Soil

About soil condition, musa basjoo grow in lean to rich, well-drained soil. It is not particularly fussy about soil type but prefers a moisture retentive but well-drained soil in sun or part shade. A humus-rich soil will help to keep the roots cool in summer.

Light condition

Similar to other banana plants, the Musa basjoo needs a lot of sun to grow strong and healthy. In fact, it needs at least six hours of direct sunlight each day in order to thrive. If you live in an area with cooler climates, you may need to provide your plant with additional artificial light in order to meet its needs.

Good Temperature

The temperature condition that is most ideal for the Musa basjoo is a tropical climate. This is a climate that is warm year-round with little variation in temperature. Musa basjoo will tolerate some cooler temperatures, but they will not thrive in them. The plant is also not frost-tolerant, so it will not survive in areas where the temperatures dip below freezing for extended periods of time.

Humidity Aspect

Ideal humidity condition for this plant is about 60-70%. The plant can tolerate some shade, but too much shade will make the leaves turn yellow and eventually die off. Too little humidity will cause the leaves to dry out and turn brown.

The Fertilizer

About fertilizer, this kind of plant need a lot of potassium so using a potassium rich fertilizer like 0-0-50 or 0-0-60. For the root, it is really important to keep the root ball moist but not soggy until you are ready to plant it in its permanent location.

About light

Pruning is an important part of keeping your musa basjoo healthy and vigorous. Pruning encourages new growth, which gives the plant more leaves to photosynthesize and produce food for the plant. Pruning also helps to keep the plant from getting too big and unwieldy.

The Propagation

Propagation of Musa basjoo is typically done by division of the rhizome. However, it can also be done by seed. If you are propagating by seed, it is best to sow the seed in a moist, well-drained mix at a depth of about 1/2 inch. Once the seedlings have germinated and are large enough to handle, they can be transplanted into individual pots. If you are dividing the rhizome, it is best to do this in spring. Each section of rhizome should have at least one bud. The sections can then be planted in individual pots.

Plant Growth

Usually, the plant growth rate is based on the plant's size and age. A plant that is one year old and about 3 to 5 feet tall can grow about one foot per year. If the plant is five years old or more, the growth rate slows down to about six inches per year.

The Problems

Common problems for this kind of plant are scale insects and nematodes. Scale insects can be controlled with horticultural oil or insecticidal soap. Nematodes can be controlled with solarization or fumigation.

Basics of Growing

• If you're growing your plant indoors, make sure to give it plenty of bright, indirect sunlight.
  
• Water your plant regularly, making sure the soil is evenly moist but not soggy.
  
• Apply a balanced fertilizer once every month or so.
  
• If you notice the leaves turning yellow or brown, this could be a sign of over-watering or nutrient deficiency. Adjust your care accordingly.
  
• Allow the soil to dry out completely between watering to prevent root rot.
  
• When the plant is actively growing, you may need to repot it into a larger container.
  
• In late fall or early winter, the plant will enter a dormant period and the leaves will die back. Reduce watering during this time and do not fertilize.
  
• If you live in an area where temperatures dip below freezing, you'll need to bring your plant indoors or grow it in a greenhouse.
  

Substitution

• Musa sapentium – sapentium means papaya-like.
  
• Musa x paradisiaca – paradisiaca means pertaining to paradise.
  
• Musa balbisiana – balbisiana means from or pertaining to Abul-Balb?s.
  
• Musa velutina – velutina means velvet-like.
  
• Musa ornata – ornata means ornate.
  
• Musa schizocarpa – schizocarpa means bearing schizocarps.
  
• Musa ingens – ingens means enormous.
  
• Musa textilis – textilis means pertaining to cloth or textile.
  
• Musa acuminata – acuminata means tapering.
  
• Musa basjoo – basjoo means from Beppu, Japan.

Source:
Musa basjoo {Musaceae} Hardy Banana - University of Connecticut
JC Raulston Arboretum - Our Plants - Musa basjoo
Musa basjoo - calphotos.berkeley.edu