Maurelii

I just purchased a Ensete ventricosum,Red Banana it looks a fantastic plant.
Has any body got one and if so any Tips/advice especially what to do with it over the Winter when we get there:(

Thanks in advance:thumb:

 

I've just overwintered one Slinky.
I bought mine latish last summer, so it was only about 4ft high but it came through OK, in the garage, in its pot, almost bone dry.
I cut back the leaves as they died back.

Recently potted it on and its getting away well, now in a 12in pot, but will probably need a bigger one before the summer is out.

 

Cheers Pete, I would love to see a photo of yours

 

Not the smartest of pics, but it shows the new growth, that has been battered by the wind and rain recently.

 

A Little battered pete, But hes a Beauty:thumb:

 

For winter its best to bring it inside as its not hardy, although I know of one which made it through winter in Devon in a sheltered garden.

There are a couple of ways of storeage, if you have a heated greenhouse or conservatory then you can try and keep it going over winter, which can work quite well. If its too tall then as with other bananas you can cut the stem to the available height.


This was mine in 2007, I dont think i have a photo of just the plant on its own, but you can see the colour they can acheive.

The other way is as pete did, keep it dry in a cool place, when you bring it in do get rid of the water which often accumulates between the psuedostem and the old leaves as this can encourage rot. Some people store them this way lying down with all the leaves removed, although if you dont check it regularly damage can form on the side its lying on.

I had two in for winter last year, a small one in the greenhouse sailed though and is now planted out. My larger one I had had for a couple of years was stored dry but unfortunatley I lost this to rot :( But they can be very fast growers.

In terms of tips during the summer, lots of water and feed, bananas are very hungry. Do try and plant it in a sheltered position as the leaves can get massive - my larger one last year had leaves up to 2m long - so high winds and gusts can shred the leaves. You tend to get the best colour out of them in a lightly shaded spot rather than full sun.