Is MUSA VELUTINA edible?

kman84 · 06-02-2009, 06:10 PM

Is MUSA VELUTINA edible?

I've been hearing both yes and no all over the net. Can anyone tell me froml personal experience? I just started to germinate some and I was curious.

Thanks

Matt

just j · 06-02-2009, 06:16 PM

yes if u pick out all the seeds

alexizhere19 · 06-02-2009, 06:17 PM

i have tasted a little, but there is so many seeds that are like buckshot. it tastes fine, nothing impressive.

Gabe15 · 06-02-2009, 07:59 PM

They are edible in that you can eat them and they will not hurt you, but in the banana world, edible means that it is a seedless cultivar where as M. velutina is a seeded wild species. Personally I think they are fun to eat even with the seeds which are not as hard as most people tend to think they are (though some other banana species are indeed like rocks), but there are a lot of seeds.

alexizhere19 · 06-02-2009, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gabe15

They are edible in that you can eat them and they will not hurt you, but in the banana world, edible means that it is a seedless cultivar where as M. velutina is a seeded wild species. Personally I think they are fun to eat even with the seeds which are not as hard as most people tend to think they are (though some other banana species are indeed like rocks), but there are a lot of seeds.

Gabe, does growing conditions dictate seed toughness? my velutina are so hard i couldn't break it with my teeth.

Thanks,

alex

musaboru · 06-02-2009, 08:55 PM

I think while in the banana, the seeds are not as rock hard since they aren't dried.

alpha010 · 06-03-2009, 05:12 AM

This brings up a question from me........Aren't all bananas actually edible? By edible I mean non-poisonous or won't kill or mame you if you eat it. In the banana world...the only reason for the edible/non-edible labels are seeds in fruit?

jmoore · 06-03-2009, 06:12 AM

...and taste surely. If something tastes like crap, it's inedible

Bananaman88 · 06-03-2009, 06:17 AM

My M. dasycarpa (velutina) is about to bloom right now. If I get fruit, I'll try them and report back.

alpha010 · 06-03-2009, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmoore

...and taste surely. If something tastes like crap, it's inedible

Taste is all a matter of preference, my question was whether any form of musa is actually poisonous....

Gabe15 · 06-03-2009, 12:00 PM

No Musa are known to be poisonous, so yes they are all technically edible.

However, the difference between wild species and the cultivated varieties goes much deeper than just not having seeds, there is a complex synergy of things going on inside of edible cultivars that make them edible and separate them from wild species. The most important aspect of edible bananas is parthenocarpy caused by an autonomous auxin release in the fruit during development. This allows the fruit to grow without pollination, but in order to have a seedless fruit, some form of sterility must coincide with parthenocarpy. Not all parthenocarpic varieties are sterile, so many normally seedless bananas will form seeds with a source of pollen. The most successful and popular varieties however generally do not form seeds, which means that they are both parthenocarpic and have some level of sterility. The combination of parthenocarpy and sterility was selected by humans over thousands of years and the plants grown specifically for eating the fruit, so these varieties are called "edible" to distinguish them from wild species which have not had human intervention for fruit cultivation.

kman84 · 06-03-2009, 05:50 PM

Thanks Gabe! That was very helpful. Hopefully, My little guys will bear fruit when they grow up.

alpha010 · 06-04-2009, 05:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gabe15

No Musa are known to be poisonous, so yes they are all technically edible.

However, the difference between wild species and the cultivated varieties goes much deeper than just not having seeds, there is a complex synergy of things going on inside of edible cultivars that make them edible and separate them from wild species. The most important aspect of edible bananas is parthenocarpy caused by an autonomous auxin release in the fruit during development. This allows the fruit to grow without pollination, but in order to have a seedless fruit, some form of sterility must coincide with parthenocarpy. Not all parthenocarpic varieties are sterile, so many normally seedless bananas will form seeds with a source of pollen. The most successful and popular varieties however generally do not form seeds, which means that they are both parthenocarpic and have some level of sterility. The combination of parthenocarpy and sterility was selected by humans over thousands of years and the plants grown specifically for eating the fruit, so these varieties are called "edible" to distinguish them from wild species which have not had human intervention for fruit cultivation.

Wow! That's one of your first technically speaking posts I believe I understood! Anyways, The basic of what you are saying is that the nanners we have today were bred over thousands of years to have this genetic "defect" to be sterile and wild species could have that same chance over time once studied, influenced, and bred.

ewitte · 06-04-2009, 05:56 AM

It may taste horrible and have seeds but if your without food are you going to care? The one I tasted last year also never got as soft as a normal banana.

The Hollyberry Lady · 06-09-2009, 04:20 AM

I just got seeds today, for musa velutina, and this will be my very first time ever growing a banana. I am wondering how big does this variety grow? How long after the seed has germinated, will the plant be mature and actually bearing fruits? If someone can answers these 2 questions, I would appreciate it.

: )

Bananaman88 · 06-09-2009, 06:19 AM

Musa dasycarpa (formerly velutina) normally gets in the 4' range. Mine is flowering right now and it didn't even get that tall! Another of the pseudostems in the clump is around 4' tall, however. Some may get a little taller.

Tog Tan · 06-09-2009, 06:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Hollyberry Lady

I just got seeds today, for musa valutina, and this will be my very first time ever growing a banana. I am wondering how big does this variety grow? How long after the seed has germinated, will the plant be mature and actually bearing fruits? If someone can answers these 2 questions, I would appreciate it.

: )

Hi!

The Musa velutina has been officially renamed Musa dasycarpa syn velutina. Depending on the actual variety, the p-stem height can range from 3ft to 6ft+(or more as one of the members told me).

Grown over here with favorable conditions year round, from germination to fruiting only took me 10 months. During this time, it was in a pot. My plant fruited at a p-stem height of about 3ft.

I hope my comments helps!

The Hollyberry Lady · 06-09-2009, 06:29 AM

10 months?!!! So I would be looking to plant this thing outside for next season then, correct? We only have 5 or 6 months now, and snow will be flying again! I should try to raise this thing outside, but bring it in for the winter? How cold can it stand, before it would die? I know absolutely nothing about these plants. I am researching though.

Thanks for all the info.

: )

Tog Tan · 06-09-2009, 06:36 AM

I think other cold growing experts will step in soon and give more details as it is still early in the morning. Don't forget I live in the tropics!

The Hollyberry Lady · 06-09-2009, 06:42 AM

Oh I am quite aware of where you live Tog - you lucky duck!

06-02-2009, 06:10 PM	#1 (permalink)
kman84 loves to eat fruit kman84's Photo Gallery Location: Carroll County, MD Find me on the map! Zone: 7 Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 19 BananaBucks : 39,289 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 14 Times Was Thanked 8 Times in 4 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1 Times	Is MUSA VELUTINA edible? Is MUSA VELUTINA edible? I've been hearing both yes and no all over the net. Can anyone tell me froml personal experience? I just started to germinate some and I was curious. Thanks Matt

06-02-2009, 06:16 PM	#2 (permalink)
just j TANTALIZING TROPICALS just j's Photo Gallery Location: shawano wisconsin Zone: 4-5 Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 471 BananaBucks : 64,780 Feedback: 2 / 100% Said "Thanks" 252 Times Was Thanked 129 Times in 91 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 71 Times	Re: Is MUSA VELUTINA edible? yes if u pick out all the seeds

06-02-2009, 06:17 PM	#3 (permalink)
alexizhere19 My Thumbs are Golden alexizhere19's Photo Gallery Location: york,sc Zone: 8a Name: alex Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 304 BananaBucks : 38,642 Feedback: 4 / 100% Said "Thanks" 184 Times Was Thanked 189 Times in 92 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 249 Times	Re: Is MUSA VELUTINA edible? i have tasted a little, but there is so many seeds that are like buckshot. it tastes fine, nothing impressive. __________________ woo woo woo in the county jail just a good ole boy never meanin no harm

06-02-2009, 07:59 PM	#4 (permalink)
Gabe15 Moderator Gabe15's Photo Gallery Location: Oahu, Hawaii Find me on the map! Zone: 12 Name: Gabe Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 3,892 BananaBucks : 13,348,710 Feedback: 5 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1 Times Was Thanked 8,241 Times in 2,200 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 8 Times	Re: Is MUSA VELUTINA edible? They are edible in that you can eat them and they will not hurt you, but in the banana world, edible means that it is a seedless cultivar where as M. velutina is a seeded wild species. Personally I think they are fun to eat even with the seeds which are not as hard as most people tend to think they are (though some other banana species are indeed like rocks), but there are a lot of seeds. __________________ Growing bananas in Colorado, Washington, Hawaii since 2004. Commercial banana farmer, 200+ varieties.

06-02-2009, 08:55 PM	#6 (permalink)
musaboru musaboru 's Photo Gallery Location: Ontario, Calif. Zone: 9b Name: Dar Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 193 BananaBucks : 89,467 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 328 Times Was Thanked 262 Times in 105 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1 Times	Re: Is MUSA VELUTINA edible? I think while in the banana, the seeds are not as rock hard since they aren't dried.

Members currently in the chatroom: 0
	The most chatters online in one day was 17, 09-06-2009. No one is currently using the chat.

06-03-2009, 05:12 AM	#7 (permalink)
alpha010 Metal Nanners!! alpha010 's Photo Gallery Location: Mineral Ridge, Ohio Find me on the map! Zone: 6 on arborday 5b on USDA Name: Bob aka Shaggy Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 470 BananaBucks : 139,525 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 121 Times Was Thanked 238 Times in 148 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 11 Times	Re: Is MUSA VELUTINA edible? This brings up a question from me........Aren't all bananas actually edible? By edible I mean non-poisonous or won't kill or mame you if you eat it. In the banana world...the only reason for the edible/non-edible labels are seeds in fruit? __________________ LOL! My house doesnt exist on the member map! Get a little Love in your life. Jump in a Mosh Pit! The only place where every emotion one person can feel will join together and express all at once.

06-03-2009, 06:12 AM	#8 (permalink)
jmoore jmoore 's Photo Gallery Location: Lowestoft, UK Zone: 8a Name: James Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 766 BananaBucks : 121,419 Feedback: 4 / 100% Said "Thanks" 192 Times Was Thanked 799 Times in 373 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 71 Times	Re: Is MUSA VELUTINA edible? ...and taste surely. If something tastes like crap, it's inedible

06-03-2009, 06:17 AM	#9 (permalink)
Bananaman88 Bananaculturist Bananaman88's Photo Gallery Location: Houston, TX area Find me on the map! Zone: 9 Name: Brent Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 3,019 BananaBucks : 221,815 Feedback: 22 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1,339 Times Was Thanked 2,263 Times in 1,178 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 191 Times	Re: Is MUSA VELUTINA edible? My M. dasycarpa (velutina) is about to bloom right now. If I get fruit, I'll try them and report back.

06-03-2009, 12:00 PM	#11 (permalink)
Gabe15 Moderator Gabe15's Photo Gallery Location: Oahu, Hawaii Find me on the map! Zone: 12 Name: Gabe Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 3,892 BananaBucks : 13,348,710 Feedback: 5 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1 Times Was Thanked 8,241 Times in 2,200 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 8 Times	Re: Is MUSA VELUTINA edible? No Musa are known to be poisonous, so yes they are all technically edible. However, the difference between wild species and the cultivated varieties goes much deeper than just not having seeds, there is a complex synergy of things going on inside of edible cultivars that make them edible and separate them from wild species. The most important aspect of edible bananas is parthenocarpy caused by an autonomous auxin release in the fruit during development. This allows the fruit to grow without pollination, but in order to have a seedless fruit, some form of sterility must coincide with parthenocarpy. Not all parthenocarpic varieties are sterile, so many normally seedless bananas will form seeds with a source of pollen. The most successful and popular varieties however generally do not form seeds, which means that they are both parthenocarpic and have some level of sterility. The combination of parthenocarpy and sterility was selected by humans over thousands of years and the plants grown specifically for eating the fruit, so these varieties are called "edible" to distinguish them from wild species which have not had human intervention for fruit cultivation. __________________ Growing bananas in Colorado, Washington, Hawaii since 2004. Commercial banana farmer, 200+ varieties.

06-03-2009, 05:50 PM	#12 (permalink)
kman84 loves to eat fruit kman84's Photo Gallery Location: Carroll County, MD Find me on the map! Zone: 7 Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 19 BananaBucks : 39,289 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 14 Times Was Thanked 8 Times in 4 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1 Times	Re: Is MUSA VELUTINA edible? Thanks Gabe! That was very helpful. Hopefully, My little guys will bear fruit when they grow up.

06-04-2009, 05:56 AM	#14 (permalink)
ewitte ewitte's Photo Gallery Location: Houston Zone: 9 Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 449 BananaBucks : 50,555 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 0 Times Was Thanked 194 Times in 107 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Is MUSA VELUTINA edible? It may taste horrible and have seeds but if your without food are you going to care? The one I tasted last year also never got as soft as a normal banana.

06-09-2009, 04:20 AM	#15 (permalink)
The Hollyberry Lady The Hollyberry Lady 's Photo Gallery Find me on the map! Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 15,161 BananaBucks : 1,320,579 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 12,042 Times Was Thanked 11,326 Times in 5,311 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 102 Times	Re: Is MUSA VELUTINA edible? I just got seeds today, for musa velutina, and this will be my very first time ever growing a banana. I am wondering how big does this variety grow? How long after the seed has germinated, will the plant be mature and actually bearing fruits? If someone can answers these 2 questions, I would appreciate it. : ) Last edited by The Hollyberry Lady : 06-09-2009 at 06:38 AM.

06-09-2009, 06:19 AM	#16 (permalink)
Bananaman88 Bananaculturist Bananaman88's Photo Gallery Location: Houston, TX area Find me on the map! Zone: 9 Name: Brent Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 3,019 BananaBucks : 221,815 Feedback: 22 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1,339 Times Was Thanked 2,263 Times in 1,178 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 191 Times	Re: Is MUSA VELUTINA edible? Musa dasycarpa (formerly velutina) normally gets in the 4' range. Mine is flowering right now and it didn't even get that tall! Another of the pseudostems in the clump is around 4' tall, however. Some may get a little taller.

06-09-2009, 06:29 AM	#18 (permalink)
The Hollyberry Lady The Hollyberry Lady 's Photo Gallery Find me on the map! Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 15,161 BananaBucks : 1,320,579 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 12,042 Times Was Thanked 11,326 Times in 5,311 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 102 Times	Re: Is MUSA VELUTINA edible? 10 months?!!! So I would be looking to plant this thing outside for next season then, correct? We only have 5 or 6 months now, and snow will be flying again! I should try to raise this thing outside, but bring it in for the winter? How cold can it stand, before it would die? I know absolutely nothing about these plants. I am researching though. Thanks for all the info. : )

06-09-2009, 06:36 AM	#19 (permalink)
Tog Tan Ensete nut Tog Tan's Photo Gallery Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Name: Tog Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 1,757 BananaBucks : 437,329 Feedback: 2 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1,011 Times Was Thanked 2,723 Times in 787 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 204 Times	Re: Is MUSA VELUTINA edible? I think other cold growing experts will step in soon and give more details as it is still early in the morning. Don't forget I live in the tropics! __________________ ____ Tog Tan has sadly suddenly passed away 6/16/09. We will miss you Tog Tan.

06-09-2009, 06:42 AM	#20 (permalink)
The Hollyberry Lady The Hollyberry Lady 's Photo Gallery Find me on the map! Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 15,161 BananaBucks : 1,320,579 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 12,042 Times Was Thanked 11,326 Times in 5,311 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 102 Times	Re: Is MUSA VELUTINA edible? Oh I am quite aware of where you live Tog - you lucky duck!

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)