Musa sikkimensis (Hooker's hardy banana)

Botanical name

Musa sikkimensis

Other names

Musa hookeri, Musa sapientum subsp. seminifera , Darjeeling banana, Hooker's hardy banana

Genus

Musa Musa

Species

M. sikkimensis - M. sikkimensis is an upright single-stemed perennial with large, yellow-green, thick leaves that may have redish markings.

Foliage

Semi evergreen

Habit

Upright

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Colour

Flower

Yellow, Brown in Summer

Foliage

Red, Green in All seasons

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How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Aphids , Glasshouse red spider mite , Mealybugs

Diseases

Generally disease-free.

General care

Pruning

No pruning required. Remove spent foliage and cut back in autumn if desired.

Propagation methods

Division, Seed

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Musa sikkimensis (Hooker's hardy banana) will reach a height of 4m and a spread of 3m after 10-20 years.

Suggested uses

Architectural, Containers, Greenhouse, Sub-Tropical

Cultivation

Plant outdoors in a frost-free area in rich, moist but well-drained soil, in sun or part shade. Plant deep covering clumping rootstock below ground. Protect from wind and over winter. Grow under glass in loam-based compost in full or filtered sunlight.

Soil type

Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)

Soil drainage

Moist but well-drained, Well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Full Sun

Aspect

South, West

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Indoor heated (H1), Tender in frost (H3)

USDA zones

Zone 10, Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Musa sikkimensis (Hooker's hardy banana)

Common pest name

Lance nematode; Nematode; Lance

Scientific pest name

Hoplolaimus spp.

Type

Nematode

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

General biosecurity comments

Nematode species potentially affecting a wide variety of crops; prohibition of soil likely to mitigate risk substantially; keep under review in light of interceptions or findings should they occur in the EU.

Defra's Risk register #2

Plant name

Musa sikkimensis (Hooker's hardy banana)

Common pest name

Stunt nematode

Scientific pest name

Tylenchorhynchus leviterminalis

Type

Nematode

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

1

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

General biosecurity comments

Nematode pest mainly in Asia and Africa; could only potentially affect glasshouse crops in UK but no obvious pathway.

Defra's Risk register #3

Plant name

Musa sikkimensis (Hooker's hardy banana)

Common pest name

Banks glovers; mite

Scientific pest name

Tetranychus gloveri

Type

Mite

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Limited damage in current area of distribution. Other areas of the EU at higher risk. In UK many hosts but risk depends on likelihood of establishing in protected cultivation.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/