Musa Hirta

[Sanddollarmoon]

I recently obtained several seeds of the bornean hairy banana (musa hirta):
http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~drc/musa_hirta.htm
Is anyone growing this plant? Apparently the fruit contains more juices than other banana species, and, as the name describes, it is covered in a soft fuzz, looking like a kiwi. Here is a web image:

[plantlover13]

planning to get seeds of this soon, i made a thread about this a while ago on the banana forum, and i learned that it isn't really that edible. what the heck, though.

[Sanddollarmoon]

planning to get seeds of this soon, i made a thread about this a while ago on the banana forum, and i learned that it isn't really that edible. what the heck, though.

Many banana species are not considered edible due to their seed count, along the way destroying any commercial value. A few sources say they taste a bit like a kiwi-banana hybrid, very strange when combined with their kiwi appearence. Would you mind posting the link for the banana forum thread?

[plantlover13]

http://www.bananas.org/f16/what-musa-hirta-18229.html

Oh, by the way, i am "banana13" on that forum.

[Sanddollarmoon]

http://www.bananas.org/f16/what-musa-hirta-18229.html

Oh, by the way, i am "banana13" on that forum.

LOL, okay, I think I will be growing this anyway, also. I also found out about it on tradewinds, but I am suprised they don't have a database page for it, they carry it a few times a year. I think this may mean it produces a few times a year, I wonder where they source the seeds from. One source said the fruit is self-peeling, can anybody verify this claim?

Musa Hirta - Bornean Hairy Banana
Out of Stock

$6.00

Product Description

4 seeds per pack. A strange and very rare banana with small, juicy fruits that taste somewhat like a kiwi. Native to Borneo, also noteworthy for its colorful pink inflorescence. The fruits are unlike most other bananas in their juicy consistency and are eaten whole. Grows up to 8 ft, unknown hardiness though likely grows best in tropical environments. #3030

description from Trade Winds Fruit.

It sounds interesting, but does anyone know what it actually is? is the description accurate?

thanks.

Another a kiwi flavor description. I guess it is a poor kiwi flavor.

Musa hirta is not edible. Full of seeds and flesh not so tasty. I have studied it in Central Sarawak and Kalimantan in Borneo.
Markku

[Sanddollarmoon]

https://www.passionvinecottage.com/cart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=9_13&products_id=704
This source is selling seeds, has anyone ordered from them before? I am worried about my seeds staying viable while I am traveling, so a backup plan is useful. BTW, it seems nobody on the forum besides plantlover has any experience with this banana, so I will post my progress on this thread.

[plantlover13]

https://www.passionvinecottage.com/cart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=9_13&products_id=704
This source is selling seeds, has anyone ordered from them before? I am worried about my seeds staying viable while I am traveling, so a backup plan is useful. BTW, it seems nobody on the forum besides plantlover has any experience with this banana, so I will post my progress on this thread.

Just to clarify, i don't really have experience with this banana, i just know about it and plan to order soon. Bananas can be viable for a while, and it is really no problem if you have a TC setup to sprout the seeds (as long as the seeds haven't been mishandled)*

*not my direct experience, this is what i have gleaned from lots of searches on this topic (i like bananas, they were my first tropical plantsand helped kick off this craze  )

[Sanddollarmoon]

Thank you for your help anyway, I do in fact have a TC system, my only method of germination. Do you have any tips for seed planting? Bananas take several months to germinate, plenty of time for them to go moldy. Baobabs and passion fruit are like this, only they have a trick for speedier germination. Is there any good method for banana seeds?

[fruitlovers]

Musa hirta is not edible. Full of seeds and flesh not so tasty. I have studied it in Central Sarawak and Kalimantan in Borneo.
Markku

I think i would believe Markku. He is a banana specialist from Finland. Has written many articles for Fruit Gardener magazine and publishes articles in science journals about banana species.
PS I think he meant M. hirta is not palatable, rather than not edible. All bananas are edible. If you were starving in the jungle you wouldn't mind downing a bunch of hard BB sized seeds with the banana. But he also says the flesh is not tasty.

[sanitarium]

LOL, okay, I think I will be growing this anyway, also.

Just wondering if you have luck to germinate the seeds?

[RiversOFT]

I've wanted to grow this one for a while haven't had luck with seeds yet,  apparently the Iban people eat the fruit seeds and all 

[sanitarium]

I've wanted to grow this one for a while haven't had luck with seeds yet,  apparently the Iban people eat the fruit seeds and all

Also tried seeds from I think 3 sources never have luck. so was curious if there is anyone who germinate it or have the plant growing...