lorax

I ask because I produce Abaca and other fine banana cloth (although not basho-fu) on an artesanal scale myself. I understand the process and how long it takes from harvest through ret, comb, sort, spin, and hand-weave. I'd never trust my fibre to an automated loom; it bruises too easily in that sort of handling unless it's cut with cotton or linen.

The very finest fiber I've been able to extract comes from the midribs of the leaves of my plantains, and it compares favourably to silk. The coarsest stuff, from my M. textilis, is only good for rope, and the finer stuff for garments. I've made cloth from basjoo as well, but I actually prefer the pseudostems of regular old garden-variety cavendish - the staple is longer.