Musa acuminata 'Cheeka'

How ‘Cheeka’ was discovered

Musa acuminata ‘Cheeka’ began as a naturally occurring mutation noticed by Magaly Zais-Fast in 1995 near Bangkok, Thailand, within a commercial planting of ‘Kluai Khai’. Growers began propagating it in Thailand in 2001, preserving its compact habit.

The cultivar was selected for its short, predominantly green form, strong foliage and a pseudostem that changes from white in young plants to greyed-purple and red tones with maturity. It was later established as a distinct cultivated selection.

Care for broad-leaved tropical growth

Feeding and growth: Apply a balanced feed at modest strength while the plant is producing leaves, reducing it when growth slows. A stable pot supports the apparent stem, which is formed from overlapping leaf sheaths, and the broad foliage. Remove a sucker only when the clump needs controlling; rooted offsets or tissue culture preserve the cultivar.

Light: Place Musa ‘Cheeka’ in bright filtered light, with gentle direct sun after acclimation. Its compact habit makes it suitable for a pot, but it does not make the plant tolerant of dim conditions. Stronger light supports shorter leaf stalks and sturdier new growth.

Water and soil: Keep the root zone evenly moist while new leaves are developing, letting the upper layer begin to dry before watering again. Use an aerated, moisture-retentive substrate and a pot with an open drainage hole. Avoid both repeated total drying and a permanently waterlogged middle.

Temperature and humidity: Avoid cold glass, draughts and abrupt temperature changes. Moderate humidity and light air movement help the broad new leaves expand without moisture remaining trapped around their bases. Keep conditions steady instead of repotting, feeding strongly or increasing sun immediately.

Normal changes and warning signs

• Grey-purple pseudostem: A mature ‘Cheeka’ can develop greyed purple to red colour in the overlapping leaf sheaths. Firm, evenly coloured tissue is a cultivar trait; spreading softness, translucency or odour indicates decay.
• Torn leaves: Straight splits that follow the parallel veins usually result from normal expansion, movement or rubbing. Give the next leaf clearance and shelter, while checking for pests only when scarring, black specks or distorted growth accompany the tears.
• Loss of compact form: Longer leaf stalks and weaker, more open growth indicate that light is too low. Increase brightness gradually and judge the response in newly produced leaves, since existing stretched growth will not become shorter.
• Yellowing with a wet pot: Several yellow leaves, slow growth and saturated substrate point to oxygen loss around the roots. Let surplus moisture drain, check that the drainage holes are clear and inspect the root system if the pot remains wet even after watering less often.
• Cold-stalled growth: A rolled leaf that remains stationary after a temperature drop is consistent with chilling or cold-slowed roots. Restore stable warmth, keep the root zone aerated and do not compensate by adding fertiliser to an inactive plant.
• Pest marks: Rusty stippling and webbing beneath older leaves fit mites; silver scars and black specks on new growth fit thrips. Cottony clusters or attached bumps indicate mealybugs or scale. Separate the plant and treat the organism identified.

Musa acuminata ‘Cheeka’ is non-toxic to people and pets

• This plant is non-toxic to people, cats and dogs.
• Chewing a large amount can still cause an upset stomach.
• If a large amount is eaten and symptoms continue, contact a veterinarian or medical professional.

Musa acuminata: name and meaning

Musa is an old name for banana adopted into botanical Latin. The Latin epithet acuminata means tapering to a long point and refers to the narrowing tip of a leaf or another plant part.

Carl Linnaeus established the genus Musa in 1753 in Species Plantarum, page 1043.

Luigi Colla first described Musa acuminata in 1820 in Memorie della Reale Accademia delle Scienze di Torino, volume 25, page 394.