Family: Musaceae
Scientific name: Musa sp. 'Helens Hybrid'
Common name: Helens banana
Origin: Himalaya
Banana fruits from your own garden? It seems to be working with this variety. Helens hybrid is probably a natural crossing of the Musa ‘Chini-Champa’ And the Musa sikkimensis, resulting in an interesting plant. The Chini-Champa has delicious, sweet bananas and the leaves have red veins and downside, and a red stem. The sikkimensis can naturally withstand low temperatures. The combination of the features of both species results in a relatively hardy plant that can produce delicious bananas even in a colder climate. Protect younger plants against frost, and make sure to pack older plants in isolating material when they are grown outside.
Sowing description: Sand the seeds with sanding paper and let them soak in lukewarm water for 48 hours. Thereafter the seeds can be sown in sowing mix. Keep the soil constantly moist by covering the soil with plastic foil or glass, and let them germinate in a warm spot. Germination can take some weeks or even months, and can occur as long as the seeds are hard.
Sowing time: Whole year
Difficulty: Intermediate
Minimum temperature: -10 degrees Celsius
