I used to have three Chinese banana trees (sweet and edible but not as good
as supermarket bananas) that grew two stories or a little more tall. I
planted them in the front yard (full sun) to create a little =93forest.=94 =
They
were watered deeply at least twice a week, more often in hot, dry weather.
In late summer they would form blues that turned into bunches of bananas. I
picked them when ripe (usually standing on a stepladder my wife Pat held) s=
o
I could reach all of the bunches.
These were not winter hardy banana trees. I had to dig them up just before
the first frost. There certainly was no location in the house to treat them
as houseplants, so I cut all but the bottom three feet off the trunks and
laid the trunks on their sides in a slightly warm room in the basement, jus=
t
warm enough to prevent freezing. They were ignored until just before spring
when they would sprout new growth. When the weather was warm enough, they=
=92d
return outside.
The stalks are like corn stalks.
After about 10 years the plants died and I never grew more because we moved
to a smaller house with a smaller lot.
Once the trees are old enough, a year or two, they will sprout two or more
babies at the bottom of the trunk at the soil line. These may be removed an=
d
planted in a pot or directly into the ground. While they=92re the size
suitable for a large pot, they can be moved around for one season to
decorate the patio or deck.
For more information, I=92d Google your search. Type in =93banana trees=94 =
or
=93banana plants =93 or =93tropical plants, bananas.=94 Enjoy!
John Adney
Marion, Iowa
_____
From: houseplants@yahoogroups.com [mailto:houseplants@yahoogroups.com] On
Behalf Of Brooklyn431@Gmail.com
Sent: Wednesday, July 18, 2007 3:18 PM
To: Houseplants
Subject: [Houseplants] Banana plant?
Hi Everyone,
I was walking today past a nursery and saw the most awesome looking
plant. It said, "Banana Leaf plant." The only thing that stopped me from
buying it is I know nothing about this plant.
Does anyone know what kind of care these plants need? Are they,
"difficult" plants, because I don't do well with them. Thanks for any
information, take care.
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