About Musa velutina H.Wendl. & Drude
Musa velutina, commonly called the hairy banana or pink banana, is a diploid wild banana species. This plant is native to Assam and the eastern Himalayas. Its fruits reach 3 inches (8 cm) in length, are pink in color, and covered in a fuzzy texture. The fruits grow on erect flower stalks that bear a pink inflorescence. Musa velutina flowers at a young age, typically blooming within one year of growth. When its fruits are fully ripe, they naturally peel back on their own. This species is most often cultivated as an ornamental plant, though its soft, sweet flesh is edible. Its seeds are very hard, and can chip a tooth if bitten. To sow Musa velutina seeds, start by soaking the seeds in warm water for 24 hours. After soaking, plant the seeds in fine compost, and keep them at a constant temperature of 20–24 °C (68–75 °F) with full natural light. The seeds can take up to around 6 months to germinate. Mature plants can be placed outdoors during warm months, but need to be moved to a conservatory, greenhouse, or given other forms of protection over winter. Musa velutina has been awarded the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
