Musa basjoo - Japanese Banana

Family:	Musaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	3
Width:	2
Synonyms:	M. japonica.
Range:	E. Asia - Japan.

Musa basjoo (Japanese Banana) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 3m and a width of 2m . It has a hardness rating of 8.
The flowers from this plant are monoecious (both sexes are found on the plant but each flower is either male or female) and they are pollinated by

Soil Information

Japanese Banana will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is / is important for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Japanese Banana prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Japanese Banana should not be planted in shady areas.

Not known

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Grows on a sunny edge
• Can be planted in Cultivated Beds

Cultivation Details

Requires a rich soil and a sunny sheltered position[11, 166, 200]. The large leaves are very easily torn by the wind[233]. This species is only hardy in the milder areas of Britain and even there will require protection in colder winters[1]. It thrives and fruits in south-western Britain[11, 59] where it survived the very severe winters of 1985 to 1987[K]. Plants are herbaceous and die down after flowering, forming new shoots from the roots. Cultivated in Japan as a fibre plant[11].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 2/5
The nectar of the flowers is sweet and drinkable[183].

• Nectar - produced in such abundance by some flowers that it can be harvested fairly easily.

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 2/5
The roots are diuretic, febrifuge and sialagogue[147]. A decoction is used in the treatment of beriberi, constipation, jaundice, dropsy, restlessness due to heat, leucorrhoea and croton bean poisoning[147, 218]. The leaves are diuretic[218].

• Diuretic - Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.
• Febrifuge - Reduces fevers.
• Sialagogue - Stimulates the secretion of saliva.

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a warm greenhouse[134]. The seed usually germinates rapidly. Pre-soak stored seed for 72 hours in warm water, if it is still floating then it is not viable. Sow in a warm greenhouse in spring, planting one large seed in each pot. Germination usually takes place within 2 - 24 weeks at 22°c[134]. Grow the plants on in the greenhouse for at least 3 years before trying them outdoors. The seed remains viable for 2 years[134]. Removal of suckers as the plant comes into growth in spring.

Known Hazards

None known

Other Uses

A fibre is obtained from the leaf stems[1, 11, 61]. Used for cloth, sails etc[46, 134]. The fibre can also be used for making paper[189] The leaves are harvested in summer and are soaked in water for 24 hours prior to cooking. The fibres are cooked for 2 hours with lye and then beaten in a ball mill for 4½ hours before being made into paper[189].

• Fibre - Used for making cloth, rope, paper etc.

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement.
Bean. W.
Author: Bean. W.
Rating:
Publisher : A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.
Date of Publication : 1981

The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992

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