Musa sikkimensis HIMALAYAN BANANA (5 seeds)

Himalayan banana, also known as Darjeeling banana, is a hardy, fast-growing variety from the Musaceae family. It grows on the slopes of the Himalayas in India and resists strongly negative temperatures very well.
It is one of the most cold-resistant banana trees, along with Musa basjoo. It becomes enormous, with a height that can reach 4.5 to 5 meters.

Himalayan banana seeds from Musa sikkimensis are gray, rather large, and generally measure 1 cm in diameter. They are irregular and angular in shape. They possess a small white area, which is where the sprout will emerge during planting.

Its leaves are very wide and wind-resistant, generally measuring 40 cm wide and over 2 meters in length. This variety will undoubtedly give a unique tropical look to the garden.

Its pseudostem (stipe) is magnificent, being green tinted with red and touches of light brown. It grows very quickly during the summer season and can measure 25 to 45 cm in diameter.

Flowering is spectacular, generally occurring after 4 years during the months of July and August. The flowers measure 50 cm in length; they are yellow surrounded by pink bracts, and each petal measures 40 cm in length—a true marvel.

The fruits, its bananas, arrive as the flowering progresses; they are small and green, generally grouped in 6 or 8 on a very resistant stem. They are edible but contain many seeds.

- Use:

Sikkim banana is mainly cultivated for its highly decorative and majestic appearance.
It is appreciated for its large leaves, its decorative trunk, and its spectacular flowering.

Its strong hardiness makes it an essential element for decorating exotic gardens in cold climates.

- Germination and Sowing of Seeds:

• The ideal period to sow this hardy banana tree is from the end of May until mid-July.
• Scarify the seeds with sandpaper until the beginning of the cotyledon is visible.
• Soak them for 24 hours in lukewarm water to accelerate germination.
• Prepare small pots of moist peat.
• Plant at a depth of 1 cm, with the white part facing downward.
• Gently water the culture manually using a sprayer.
• Place the sowing pots in a warm and humid spot at a temperature of 30 to 35°C.
• Germination will generally begin 4 to 6 weeks after sowing.

- Substrate and Soil Type:

This Asian banana tree grows very well in a fertile, humiferous, and well-drained substrate. The soil should be fresh and not too compact. It is recommended to use a good compost when planting in open ground. For pot culture, remember to drain the bottom with clay pebbles.

- Exposure:

To achieve rapid growth, it is recommended to place it in a very bright location; full sun will suit it perfectly and allow it to flourish.

- Growing Temperature:

Due to its great hardiness, this Musa will easily resist strongly negative temperatures. Its leaves freeze at -2°C, and its stipe will resist temperatures ranging from -5 to -8°C depending on the diameter. The plant itself will resist deep cold down to -15°C.

- Watering and Irrigation:

Like all banana trees, it needs regular watering, especially in spring and summer. Mulching at the base of the plant will limit water evaporation and thus the frequency of watering. For pot culture, be careful of excess watering which could rot the root system.

- Multiplication and Reproduction:

It can be reproduced either by sowing seeds or by separating its suckers (offsets) at the end of the year.

- Pests and Diseases:

This variety has no known pests or diseases; it is a Musa variety very resistant to parasites and pests.

- Maintenance:

It is preferable at the end of the year to cut the leaves and protect the stipe during the first 2 years. Soil mulching is also recommended in cold regions.