Musa sikkimensis from seed...

[Joyce]

Here is a description for those who enjoy and respect knowledge...
http://www.heronswood.com/shop/05415

And here is my little hand raised seedling...started last year in the same pot...5 seeds.
After 2 months I gave up, shoved the pot back behind some taller plants and forgot about it.
When I was moving everything inside late last fall...I saw a little whisp of green growth emerging...looked almost like grass.





Once it gets outdoors and in full sun, the red tones will deepen and spread. Can't wait!

[purplepshn2004]

Very nice plant Joyce, wtg...

[tinkster]

wow!! I really like the looks of that one and says its as hardy as musa or maybe more... Will have to try me one of them.. this year if my musa made it through the winter in the basement I am gonna try leaving it in the ground and take in just one pup in case I fail.     

tinkster

[MikeW]

Tricky things these bananas! Not sure which kind Joyce, but my neighbour had a very similar experience. Planted it, nothing happened, and forgot about it. When clearing an overgrown corner last year, lo and behold, a banana, proudly standing two feet tall.

Cheers,

Mike

[Sunbeam56]

From seed! (jaw dropping). I am impressed.

I grew a Chinese Dwarf banana for two years. It did well, had a lot of sucker plants that were growing from the roots - I could have divided, but I like the clump. Then they all flowered and it died. No seeds that I could tell - no fruit and no surprises from the soil the next year.
It was a great big daisy! (meaning it was a purdy flower).

[Mikey]

Once moved to your new place will you be able to overwinter it outdoors with heavy mulch as you have done in the past with other bananas or because it is hardy will it not require a heavy mulching?  I like those chairs too!

[Jerry]

a very handsome banana. A peelinig!

[Joyce]

Thanks everyone!

Tinks, when I read the description online...and was intrigued too. The ordered seeds on eBay.
I saw it growing unprotected at the NY Botanical Gardens which is at least a zone colder than me.
Also, the fruits are edible, but they do have big seeds about the size of peppercorns.

MikeW, Also read, well after the fact that I gave up on them, that the seeds can take up to a year to germinate.
If you noticed in the pot, 2 little seedling at the base, these are from seeds of Echium pininana that I found pigeonholed
in a cubby of my laundry room, 2 years old,    so I dumped the seeds (6)  at the base of my 'lucky' banana...and 2 spouted!

'S', want one of my hardy banana pups? I have to moved the whole clump, and need to make it a moveable size.
Right now it's about 4-5" wide clump...HEAVY. Mine has been pupping out for years, defintely not blooming or dying!
GREAT tropical foliage!

Mikey, Yup, will grow it in the ground with bagged lawn leaves around it.
It probably doesn't need it, but since it is my baby grown from seed, at least the first year it will get a 'blankie' for the winter. 
Those chairs my mom bought at yardsales for about $5 each, refinished them and recaned (hand woven, not machineed) them herself!
I have about 12 chairs, and use half of them around my table.

Jerry...LOL! Thanks!

[Double S]

If you have any extra, I'd love a banana pup. I bought two from Frank last year, and neither made it.  Don't know if it was our flood or real bad winter. Or a combo.  I lost many odd things that I shouldn't of.  All 3 azaleas died too. Another strange one to loose.

[maryvonne]

Very cool! Nice looking Banana baby. I love the colouring in the leaves. Will have to get one if and when we move. It's good to know it's hardy. I am getting tired of moving plants in and out every year, but I love the look of banana plants in the garden.

[Joyce]

Thanks Maryvonne! I haven't put it outside yet, gonna wait another week cuz I don't wanna see those beautiful leaves scorched.
It's going in the shade for a month or so.

Sure DoubleS, I will have a pup to share with you! 
(PM me your address!)

I mailed a bunch of boxes to the tune of $85 & change out this morning. 
Now I have to start on another list of 'shares' and you're first on the list.