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Musa acuminata(MEW - suh ah - kew - min - AY - tuh ) is a extremity of the familyMusaceae[banana tree ] and goes by the coarse name “ red banana tree . ” This is a little misleading , however , as the flora is actually an evergreen repeated and not a tree .
The scientific name means “ banana that tapers to a long tip ” , a description that fits both the fruit and flowering .
Another point of confusion is the way this plant ’s legion subspecies and cultivars crossed withMusa balbisianahave led to several appointment conventions and classifications .
As a publication by the Italian phytologist Luigi Aloysius Colla was the first to describe the species , it ’s his naming conventionalism that ’s deal the precedent by the ICBN ( International Code of Botanical Nomenclature ) .
The use of common gens also gets confusing , with monikers such as “ nanus banana tree plant ” and “ wild banana ” being used to name a extensive range of cultivars in increase to the main flora .
Unlike many plans that might grace your garden , the red banana tree has been on a human being - led expansion throughout the existence for millennium .
Evidence intimate the industrial plant originated from Southeast Asia in or near the Philippines and was introduced to the Pacific Isles as far back as 4,000 years ago .
About a thousand eld later , the plant appear to have traveled from Indonesia to Africa via Madagascar .
Not only is the red banana tree attractive , but its early hybridization withM. balbisianais believed to be the source of all edible banana cultivar today
Musa Acuminata Care
Size & Growth
This fast - growing giant herb mature from a rootstock , with a false torso 10 ’ to 12 ’ metrical unit tall made of foliage sheath emerge from fond or completely buried corms . Black or chocolate-brown spots grace this otherwise light-green pseudostem
At the top of the faux trunk is a rosette of 10 to 12 folio . The leaf grade from elliptic to oblong and measure 10 ’ to 11.5 ’ feet foresighted and 26 ” inches full .
Flowering and Fragrance
The red banana tree tree produces an upward - growing spike with an efflorescence of white or yellow - bloodless flowers in a mix of both male and distaff bud .
The male flowers develop between coriaceous purple - crimson bracts towards the top of the flowering . Meanwhile , the distaff flowers remain near the base .
Fertilized flowers take about four month to develop into fruit , and growing begins at the base and works its fashion up the inflorescence .
Each of the 50 to 150 finger - shaped berries grow to a length reflecting how many seeds it contains ( generally between 15 and 62 cum ) .
As with other banana trees , the fruits grouping into clustering known as hands , comprise of 10 to 20 fruits per hand .
Light & Temperature
Red banana tree trees need full sunshine to clear shade and a nice tropical to semitropical environment . They will grow well in USDA hardiness zones 10 - 12 . The works should overwinter indoors for optimum health .
Be propose , all banana plant require warmness to stay healthy . cool temperatures may impede or strain the yield . Temperatures below 50 ° degrees Fahrenheit may severely harm or even stamp out the flora .
Watering and Feeding
Being a tropical plant , these dwarf bananas prefer moist grime and fare best in higher humidness .
Soil & Transplanting
M. acuminata prefers a loose , well - enfeeble stain containing mickle of magnesium and atomic number 19 . It opt a pH of 6 to 7.5 , but will tolerate a range between 4 and 8.4 .
Grooming And Maintenance
There ’s very small maintenance require unless you desire to continue bring forth yield . To keep the plant life fertile , reduce the trunk at background level after harvest . The rhizome will not only outlive but may continue to arise for several years .
close to every six month , fresh patsy or shoot will sprout from the rhizome . Weaker limb may be cut , allow for stronger limbs to become yield - make plants .
Being a tropic plant , these midget bananas prefer moist soil and fare well in higher humidity . For optimum wellness , check the industrial plant is well irrigated and has a regular , moderate to heavy supply of water .
However , the ground should be well - drained to prevent the risk of root guff .
Fertilize occasionally with a atomic number 19 - rich tropic plant food for thought . con Fertilizer .
How To Propagate Red Banana Tree
Due to the bloom complex body part , this plant life does n’t self - pollinate easy , relying hard upon various insects and beast . you’re able to seed fledged seed in a wedge - level of 50 % per centum backbone , which shoot in two to three weeks and have a shelf life sentence of up to two geezerhood .
It ’s best to keep the seedlings potted for three age before transferring outside .
The comestible variate are more commonly tame through sucker division in recent spring . Avoid touch the main plant when excavate sucker and prefer single with root . These should be kept in tripping spook in a greenhouse until well - established .
Red Banana Pests and Diseases
This flora , as with most cultivated banana tree , has been heavily clone over the 100 . This lack of genetic diverseness makes banana tree an sluttish dupe for a wide range of infection and infestations .
A novel melodic phrase or pest may decimate full species due to the result generic similarities all bananas ploughshare .
Any disease or fungus which targets bananas will impact M. acuminata . It is susceptible toaphids , fruit flies , mealy bug , nematodes . ruby-red laurel wreath touch , snails , and a range of bunk types .
On the other end of the spectrum , the plant draw in a wide kitchen range of insects and animals that aid in semen dispersal . Some of these are more attractive than others . Common US - base species include bees , birds , frugivorous chiropteran , mice , and rats .
Suggested Musa Acuminata Uses
Depending on the cultivar you choose , the fruit may or may not be edible . Wild mintage are diploid ( two sets of chromosome ) and are inedible due to the number of come .
Domesticated cultivars are triploid ( three bent of chromosome ) and are edible . The latter is commonly referred to as Dwarf Cavendish bananas .
The manly efflorescence are also edible and may be squander raw or laugh at . Its stem core may be consume similarly to bamboo shoot . in conclusion , untried shoots are often chop up and used in sauce .
Its leaves serve as jam material , food for thought wrapping , and as a pit lining when making porc confect . The bark may be used for paper making . Fibers from the shoot and leaves are silky and used to make okay carpeting and clothing .
Red banana is also very utile for medicinal purposes . While some of these uses are family cure , others have some scientific backing .
Every part of the plant has at least one utilization , covering ailments such as burns , coughing and pectus weather condition , diabetes diarrhea , digestive disorders , dysentery , epilepsy , hemorrhoid , insect snack , leprosy , swelling , and ulcers .
If all of these practical uses were n’t enough , red banana ’s bod , foliage , and pollinator - draw abilities make it a popular ornamental works for sheltered , sunny garden .
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