Masoo Basjoo banana question

Can anyone tell me if the bananas on Masoo Basjoo ever actually "ripen"?
Since it is a ornamental, I was just wondering.
Deanna

Yes they will ripen eventually if the weather holds out, but they aren't palatable. Not to people anyway.

But you might get some seed from them.

Robert.

Thanks Robert!
the problem I have, is being sure whether my plant is really a Masoo Basjoo.
I am trying for absolute verification of a plant that was given to me by a friend, who has grown them for several years, without ever knowing, or investigating what variety it is.

I really want to take proper care of it-especially the overwintering part- and feel that in order to do that, I must identify it.

I've posted pic in ID forum, and got a few "maybe, it's........", but still not sure. I've visited several Tropical Sites online, but still not sure, since mine is only in it's second year, and has not bloomed yet.

Any extra thoughts on getting a really positive ID, at this stage?
Deanna

This message was edited Apr 12, 2007 11:58 AM

I have the same problem with one of plants. I have six nice clumps of Musella lasiocarpa--I know that's what they are, the mother flowered a few years ago.

But last year someone gave me a plant and I'm not sure if it's another Musella or a basjoo.

The leaves are different from the lasios in having fewer large veins and the leaf shape earlier on was different. Now my mystery plant seems to have narrower foliage than the lasois and is looking more like a basjoo, but I can't be certain, of course, until it blooms.

I've looked at tons of pix of both and other Musas and there's just no way for me to make the call. I even wonder if some of the pix I've seen are what they are said to be--the two look indistinguishable much of the time and then I see pix where the one looks like the other and vice-versa. Oy!

I'm still looking at my plants to see if I can see any distinguishing features, but I've got 6-foot cotton plants all around the Musas and can't get close enough to see them well.

There must be some way to distinguish them, just haven't found it yet.

Robert.
Robert.

http://davesgarden.com/pf/showimage/15615/

This picture shows the only identifying mark I've evr heard and I've heard that it fades as the leaf ages: the red midrib.

But I don't know that *all* basjoos have this feature: I rarely see it in pix that show young leaves!

Also, sometimes the coloration on young leaves stops showing up as the plant itself matures.


Robert.