How to Germinate Musella

Musella (Musella lasiocarpa or Musa lasiocarpa) is also known as golden lotus or Chinese yellow banana. Although musella produces bananas they are full of seeds and inedible. The plant is grown strictly for its ornamental nature, specifically its flower. Golden yellow bracts gradually peel away to reveal a lotus-like efflorescence. Musella grows to 4 feet in height and blooms from mid-spring to summer with bracts persisting on the plant for up to six months. Seeds germinate erratically.

Things You'll Need

• Bowl
• Peat-based germination mix
• Germination container
• Heat mat

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Instructions

1. • 1

     Soak the musella seed in warm-to-the-touch water for 24 hours.

   • 2

     Use a peat moss-based germination mix that also includes some sand or vermiculite in which to germinate the musella seed. Fill a planting pot with the mixture and moisten it.

   • 3

     Bury the musella seed 1/2-inch deep into the mix.

   • 4

     Place the potted musella seed on a heat mat that you've set to 86 degrees Fahrenheit, in a deeply shaded area. Keep the soil wet at all times. Germination times vary but look for your musella seed to sprout within 10 days to six months.