Propagating Musa Basjoo

Propagation with Suckers

• Many gardeners prefer to propagate bananas, including Musa basjoo, by division. This propagation method is one of the most reliable because it does not rely on a seed's ability to germinate. Mature Musa basjoo plants produce suckers, or branches that grow between the plant's stems. These branches have the ability to become another Musa basjoo plant. Remove the suckers and some of the roots. Let the cut sucker dry out for at least one day, and then plant it in a large container filled with potting soil.

Propagation with Seed

• Propagating Musa basjoo from seed takes more time than doing so from division. Some seeds may not germinate at all if conditions are less than ideal. If you have fresh Musa basjoo seeds for planting, scrape one side of each seed with a file to stratify it. Soak the seeds in warm water for at least 24 hours prior to planting. Fill 3/8-inch-deep containers with potting mix or seed-starting mix, and plant one seed per container. Musa basjoo needs temperatures ranging between 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit to germinate. Fresh seeds germinate rapidly. Old seeds take up to six months to germinate.

Propagation with Tissue Culture

• Laboratories prefer to propagate Musa basjoo plants via tissue culture. This method involves using a mature plant's cells to produce cloned baby plants. Mature plants may harbor diseases unknown to a gardener. If the gardener takes a cutting from a diseased plant, the disease remains in the cutting. The growing plant suffers from stunted growth and other problems. Propagation via tissue culture does not transmit disease, so it always allows growers to produce healthy plants.

Caring for Musa Basjoo

• Keeping your Musa basjoo plant in a container will allow you to grow it all year as a houseplant. If grown in a container, repot the plant every three years. If you want to plant Musa basjoo outdoors, do so after the last frost date for your area. Despite Musa basjoo's hardiness, young plants prefer temperatures above 57 degrees Fahrenheit for the best growth. Temperatures between 80 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit spur the plant to grow quickly.

  Protect Musa basjoo from strong winds by planting it in a sheltered spot. Strong wind will shred the plant's leaves, exposing the fruit to pests and sunburn. Provide weekly watering. Water more frequently in hot weather. Feed with an all-purpose fertilizer in spring.