The Musa x paradisiaca is a very important cross between M. acuminata and M. balbisiana, because this cross ensures that we have delicious, sweet, seedless bananas in the supermarket. At first it was thought that the species M. paradisiaca gave plantains and the species M. sapientum hand bananas, but it later turned out that these are synonyms and that all bananas from the trade come from this plant. The bananas on plantations are triploid hybrids of this species, so that sterile, seedless bananas can be grown. The bananas from these seeds will therefore get seeds, so that you can see that difference nicely. It is a tree up to 9 meters high that originated naturally near Thailand. In that region the distribution areas of the acuminata and balbisiana overlap. Because the plant is only used to tropical conditions, we can keep the plant as a houseplant.
Sowing description: Sand the seeds with sandpaper and let them soak in lukewarm water for 48 hours. Then sow in sowing soil. Keep the soil constantly moist, cover with cling film or glass and let it germinate in a warm place in the house (e.g. in the sun or near a stove). Germination can take several weeks to months and can follow as long as the seeds are hard.
Photo 1: Ralf via Flickr
Photo 3: Dickelbers (CCA-3.0 Wikipedia)
