Mekong Giant vs Musa Basjoo

[Dwelty]

Hi everyone, I am in Zone 9a and am looking for a Hardy Banana that grows tall. I am open to fruiting or non fruiting. I have Musa Basjoo but wondered if Mekong Giant grew taller. I have read that it is later to emerge in the spring and is really no taller that Basjoo. I would love to hear from someone that has grown both. Also If you can recommend any others I would be appreciative.  

 

Thanks!

[KDubU]

How about an Ensete maurelii? I am in 9a as well and planted one this past Fall.

[Xenon]

Musa basjoo is waaaaaaaaaaay overkill in zone 9. You can grow most bananas in zone 9. Some common tall cultivars are 'Orinoco', 'Blue Java' (Ice Cream),  and 'Goldfinger'. 

Edited January 19, 2021 by Xenon

[Allen]

Yes I think you should grow some of the other banana varieties in 9

[Chester B]

Musa sikkimensis is another hardy one that I have growing in 8B.

[dalmatiansoap]

Sikkimensis is the best substitute IMO. Grows large strong stumps, beautiful foliage. Enstes looks spectacular in large spaces in areas with no wind, gets easy 6 meters tall.

[Merlyn]

I have both Basjoo and Mekong, in NW Orlando 9b/9a.  Basjoo is reasonably quick to grow and cluster.  So far Mekong has been a very slow grower, only getting to about 6 feet tall in 1 year of growth.  I hope it eventually turns into something nice!  I also have Kandarian, Bordelon, Ice Cream, Saba, Thai Black all growing well.   Saba took a year to get established from a TC culm, so maybe Mekong will take off in the spring.

I gave up on Ensete types here.  I had 6x E. Maurellii, and 2 big clusters of yellow Lotus.  They all died of crown rot after their 2nd summer.  I won't bother with another Ensete here, there is a reason why Lowes sells tons of them...but you never see a big one in a yard here...

[climate change virginia]

dwarf cavendish would be good