Description
Musa velutina is often grown as an ornamental plant and must be the prettiest banana plant in the world. It has received the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.
The pink banana (Musa velutina) originates from Assam and the eastern Himalayas and belongs to the Musaceae family, which includes plantains and cultivated bananas. Once sprouted, the plant will start flowering and producing fruit within the year.
Musa velutina trees form long pink stalks that look like a thin tree trunk but are actually a sheath of large leaves. The flower stem emerges from the centre of the stalk when the plant is mature. This then produces hundreds of bananas that are held in hands, just like any other banana tree. The pink banana tree also has palm-like foliage similar to common banana
What’s different is that the fruit is hot pink, taking on the same colour as the corm and the flower. The fruit is also much smaller, growing to just 8cm long, and is covered in a fuzzy pink peel (hence the nickname ‘hairy banana’). The peel is springy and splits open as the fruit ripens.
The pink banana is often grown as an ornamental plant, but has soft, sweet flesh with a slight tang, but contains many large, inedible seeds embedded in the flesh – around 40 or so can be found in just one small finger-length pink
They can be eaten raw or cooked, and can also be used to make jam and other types of preserves.
This plant is not only edible, but also contains a number of healthy benefits. The fruits are a good source of dietary fiber, vitamins and minerals, and are low in fats and calories.
Position
Bananas thrive in warm, frost-free regions. In cold regions, plants may be placed outside during warmer months but should be taken into a conservatory or greenhouse, or given other protection in winter.
Pink Bananas will do well in full sun or partial shade. Ensure that the soil is well-drained and rich with organic matter like compost.
Size
A mature pink banana tree can average height of 2m and a spread of 1.5m`
Soil
Your tree needs well-draining, slightly acidic soil with a pH range of between 5.5 and 6.5. Use a couple of bags of acid compost in your soil to achieve the correct pH
Watering
Water the plant weekly, often during hot summer. Well-established plants can handle the drought but will not look their best without adequate water.
Mulching
Add a thick layer of pine bark mulch, keeping it about 20 to 30cm away from the tree trunk (any closer may cause excess moisture and damage the trunk). This will retain the moisture in the soil and will prevent weeds from taking over.
Fertilising
Banana Trees require heavy fertilising during their growth. Use our slow-release, nitrogen-rich, Berry/All-plant Fertiliser. Apply 1 teaspoon every 4-5 months.
Pruning
Pruning is recommended to maintain the tree’s shape, remove dead wood, and leaves and encourage healthy growth.
Pests and Diseases
Aphids, citrus psylla, red scale, citrus greening. Spraying regularly with Agricultural Neem Oil or Effective Microorganisms (EM Control ) will assist in either prevention or after the fact. If you already have aphids or mites, wash the tree with a harsh hosing, and when dry, spray with Neem oil or EM Control.
Practice good garden hygiene (remove fallen fruit and leaves).
Watch for root rot (if overwatered) and fungal infections during wet periods.
Harvesting
From the time the flowers appear to when the fruit is mature is usually 75 to 80 days. When ripe, these bananas will have a deep red to maroon rind with a slightly soft touch. Remember that bananas can be used at various stages – even green bananas.
It takes 9 to 12 months for a pink banana plant to produce flowers and fruit, and another 2 to 3 months for the fruit to ripen. The time can vary depending on growing conditions, but the plant will start to flower within the first year of sprouting.
After fruiting, the main stem of the plant dies, but new suckers will continue to grow and produce fruit in subsequent years.
