Pink Dwarf Banana Tree Fruit Plant Seeds
(Musa velutina)
"Freshly Harvested in Saipan"
The Pink Banana is a Tropical Perennial in the Musa or Banana Family that is Generally Grown as an Ornamental and has Decorative Fruits in Subtropical Climates. It Typically Grows to 4 to 6 Feet Tall and 3 to 4 Feet Wide. It is Hardy to Zones 7b to 11. The Leaves are Large, Paddle-Shaped, Dark Green, and Measure 3 Feet Long. In Late Summer the Creamy Flowers with Pink Bracts Emerge and are Quickly Followed by Clusters of Small Pink Velvety Fruits. The Fruit is Sweet and Edible, but it is Full of Hard Black Seeds. They Ripen and then Split Open.
They prefer a sunny position, moist and well-drained soil, and like to be fed and watered generously during the spring and summer. If you experience a cold snap during winter, container grown plants can easily be brought indoors when the weather changes. Pink velvet banana trees prefer a sheltered position out of harsh winds. Although they like sun or partial shade, intense direct sunlight can damage the foliage. This plant thrives in a fertile, humusy, moist, well-drained soil and does best with a slightly acidic to neutral ph level. During the growing season, in the spring and summer, pink velvet bananas will appreciate being fed regularly with fertilizer. To see the best results from your pink velvet banana tree, you should keep the soil consistently moist, but not waterlogged, through the spring and summer. This isn't a drought tolerant plant, and if the soil or potting mix becomes dried out, it can inhibit healthy growth. Watering should be cut back significantly through the winter season. Despite this, they're a comparatively resilient banana family species. Although the foliage can die off or turn brown at the edges if temperatures hit as low as 30 degrees Fahrenheit, it will still grow back healthy once the spring arrives. If you plan to leave the plant outdoors in a zone where temperatures drop to freezing, protect the base of your tree with a layer of heavy mulch to insulate the roots.
Zones 7b-11
Musa Germination:
Sow indoors at any time of year.
Sow seeds as soon as you are able. If you are not going to sow them, store them in their packaging in a cool, dark, dry place. (Do not refrigerate)
1) Pour distilled boiling water over seeds and allow them to soak for 3 - 4 days in the warm water. Let the seeds cool with the water. Change the water & Repeat this process each day. This process is Very important, as gets rid of germination inhibitors by softening the rock hard shells of the Musa seeds.
2) Fill either large cells or trays with perlite, vermiculite & sterilized compost. Stand the trays in water until the medium is completely moist.
3) Sow the seeds an inch deep. Spray the seeds with a little copper based fungicide.
4) Use a heated propagator under the trays. Bottom heat is needed for optimal results with any Musa seed, so use a propagator if you have one or in a warm location out of direct sunlight for best results. Do not exclude light as this helps germination. Keep at a constant temperature of 68 to 77°F. Keep at 77+ during the day, while letting the temperature drop to 68-70 at night as this will daily change in temperature will increase germination rates and speed.
5) Check the seeds daily for germination. If mold or fungus starts to appear, remove the seeds and wash them in warm water. Spray them with fungicide and re-sow in a fresh medium in a sterilized pot. Keep the surface of the compost moist but not waterlogged. As with any Tropical or Exotic seed, patience is needed as germination is always erratic. Some may sprout within 2 to 3 Weeks, while most others can take from a few all the way up to Twelve Months. Do not give up too soon! They are Worth the Wait!