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- Musa Sikkimensis
Posted by Alex NJ zone seven on May 13, 2008, 15:01:03
What are your experiences with Musa Sikkimensis. I have one and I was wondering what the growth rate and hardiness is. I have heard conflicting reports on if it is hardy or not.
Thanks - Re: Musa Sikkimensis VERY cold hardy
Posted by Joe K on May 13, 2008, 15:03:25, in reply to "Musa Sikkimensis"
I'd say equal to Musa basjoo in cold hardiness. I'd bet that they are very closely related but I'm not a botanist. - Re: Musa Sikkimensis VERY cold hardy
Posted by Alex NJ Zone seven on May 13, 2008, 15:15:59, in reply to "Re: Musa Sikkimensis VERY cold hardy"
Okay thats good. Are they prone to rot though? becuase i'v also read that. Does yours come back every year? - Re: Musa Sikkimensis VERY cold hardy
Posted by Joe K on May 13, 2008, 16:06:11, in reply to "Re: Musa Sikkimensis VERY cold hardy"
Yes, mine come back every year without any mulch or protection. Not only sikkiamensis but also Red Tiger which is a strain of sikkiamensis. Helen's Hybrid which is a hybrid of sikkiamensis and an edible banana came back this year with no protection too but it was a mild winter. - Re: Musa Sikkimensis VERY cold hardy
Posted by Alex NJ zone seven on May 13, 2008, 16:15:26, in reply to "Re: Musa Sikkimensis VERY cold hardy"
Allright, I'm convinced now 
- Re: Musa Sikkimensis VERY cold hardy
Posted by ed nj z7 on May 14, 2008, 11:42:44, in reply to "Re: Musa Sikkimensis VERY cold hardy"
For me Musa sikkimensis is a bit more timid than Musa basjoo. sikkimensis is on the left of photo, basjoo on the right.
Post a Response
- Re: Musa Sikkimensis VERY cold hardy
Posted by Alex NJ zone seven on May 14, 2008, 15:05:53, in reply to "Re: Musa Sikkimensis VERY cold hardy"
quite an oasis you've got there. Nice! - Re: Musa Sikkimensis
Posted by Jon - NJ 7b/8a this winter on May 15, 2008, 13:03:51, in reply to "Musa Sikkimensis"
It appears to be just about as hardy as any other hardy banana except for me it has been the slowest grower by far, never getting bigger than a large Canna and not suckering. However it may be the site... which may have had too much shade and although the soil was rich, was also quite dry seemingly no matter how much I watered (it was mounded, owing partially to wanting good drainage... apparently *too* good... and because of the crap soil and tree roots below). I am transplanting it this year... well actually last fall I dug it and potted it before frost and kept it growing (just barely) in the greenhouse. Looks good now. Soon it goes in the ground... we'll see how it performs in a sunnier site and with ample rich soil and water. - Re: Musa Sikkimensis
Posted by Joe K on May 16, 2008, 11:34:03, in reply to "Re: Musa Sikkimensis"
I have not noticed any difference in full sun, mine grows the same as basjoo and has a million pups. It does seem to not get quite as tall though. I wonder though, since basjoo is all TC and no genetic variation, and sikkiamensis is all from seed, I wonder if there is any variation in size, speed or hardiness??? As I posted above the Red Tigers have been very hardy. - Re: Musa Sikkimensis
Posted by Alex NJ zone seven on May 17, 2008, 10:42:29, in reply to "Re: Musa Sikkimensis"
Mine had about 5 leaves, all grown while inside (before it was warm enough for it outside.) I put it outside about a week ago, and avery single one of my leaves snapped off. Granted, I live in an area with very little mature trees and virtually no wind breakage, but is this normal? Will the leaves that grew while outside be stronger, or do I have to constantly be worried about a banana with no leaves except for the middle spear? Thanks! - Re: Musa Sikkimensis
Posted by Joe K on May 17, 2008, 15:56:08, in reply to "Re: Musa Sikkimensis"
Your leaves probably got sunburned or else they were just weaker from being inside. The new leaves should be fine, they will shred in general and not break when out normally.
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