Musa velutina (Pink Velvet Banana) seeds

Bananas are enjoying a resurgence in popularity, justifiably so as they are easy to grow and few plants can rival their impact on any garden! Very few species are fully hardy, but once mature they can be planted out and wrapped up in sacking for winter. Some species are smaller in habit and make ideal houseplants.

Musa velutina is a dwarf species ideal for indoor cultivation as it grows to only 1.2m and is suited to indoor conditions.This is a lovely little Banana with shiny, dark green leaves with a striking red midrib below and the flowers are a pretty orange-yellow, followed by velvety, bright-pink fruits (not edible).

Tender perennial (min. 10C when young but when mature can be planted out and wrapped up for winter)
Height: to 120cm
Position: Does best in filtered sunlight in a sheltered position out of strong winds

Packet of 10 seeds

 

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GROWING GUIDE

Pre-Sowing Instructions: Soak the seeds for 48 hours in warm water. To keep the water warm rest the container on a radiator, place in a propagator or in the airing cupboard. If this is not possible, change the water frequently to keep it warm.

Sowing Instructions: Sow at any time of the year. Sow well-spaced and 10mm deep in an equal mix of sand and good quality seed compost, eg. John Innes. Seal inside a polythene bag or place in a propagator and maintain at about 25C, keeping the humidity high. Germination takes can take anything from 3 months to a year and can be erratic hence the need to sow the seeds well-spaced. Check the container regularly to make sure the compost does not dry out.

Growing Instructions: When seedlings are large enough to handle, remove them carefully from the container and pot up individually into 9-11cm pots. Grow on in cooler conditions in good, natural light, but avoid direct sunlight, re-potting as necessary – they can grow very quickly! Young plants need a minimum of 10C until mature and can be put outdoors in summer in a sheltered spot preferably with filtered sunlight. Once mature, plants can be planted out in the garden in a sheltered position out of strong winds and given good winter protection. To protect in winter, tie up all the leaves vertically with string then wrap in layers of sacking or fleece stuffed with straw. Another method is to use plastic piping stuffed with straw or for large, mature plants, a rough framework can be made around the plant and filled with straw – wooden pallets are good for this but anything sturdy will do!