Musa velutina (pink banana)

Japanese name: ムサ ヴェルティナ
Scientific name: Musa velutina

[Overview]
An evergreen perennial 1.5–2 m tall.
What looks like a trunk is formed by the overlapping leaf sheaths at the bases of the petioles, and is called a pseudostem.
The leaves unfold as the plant develops; they are elliptic, about 90 cm long and 40 cm wide, and the midrib is sometimes tinged with red.
The inflorescence appears at the tip of the pseudostem; it is erect, elliptic-conical with overlapping bracts, and the inflorescence axis is tinged with crimson and hairy.
The bracts are pink and narrowly ovate; they peel back one at a time from the base, and 3–5 yellowish white female or bisexual flowers appear in each.
Only male flowers are borne at the tip of the inflorescence.
The fruit is short and banana-like, 7–8 cm long, ripens to a deep pink, and its surface is covered with velvety hairs.
When the fruit ripens, the skin peels off naturally and the flesh appears.
The flesh is sweet, but it contains hard black seeds and is difficult to eat.
The plant dies after fruiting, but it is renewed by suckers that emerge from the base.

[Cultivation]
Propagate from seed or by dividing suckers.
From seed, soak the seeds in lukewarm water for 24 hours before sowing.
It flowers and fruits one year after planting.
The ideal temperature for growth is 20–24°C.
In the Kanto region and south it can overwinter outdoors; when exposed to cold the aboveground part dies back, but if the roots do not freeze it sprouts again the following spring.
In cold regions and areas with heavy frost, bring it indoors in winter to a warm, sunny place.
It prefers sunny, well-drained, moist, fertile soil.
Water thoroughly when the soil surface dries, and take care not to let it dry out in summer.
Keep it on the dry side in winter.
It is weak against dryness, and too much moisture can also cause root rot.
From spring to autumn, apply a slow-release fertilizer with equal amounts of the three components.
Pests include aphids and spider mites.

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