The Ensete ventricosum Maurelii, also called Red false banana, is a gigantic perennial that is very much in demand for its huge red-tinged leaves of great beauty. This hybrid variety that does not produce seeds is as spectacular in an exotic setting as cold, but its growth rate is such that it already forms a beautiful plant in a season...
The Ensete ventricosum Maurelii, also called Red false banana, is a gigantic perennial that is very much in demand for its huge red-tinged leaves of great beauty. This hybrid variety that does not produce seeds is as spectacular in an exotic setting as cold, but its growth rate is such that it already forms a beautiful plant in a season. This magnificent "banana tree" is grown in large bins, on the terrace or as a houseplant, or in the ground in the most mild areas, in a sheltered situation.
Ensete ventricosum Maurelii details:
Red false banana belongs to the Musaceae family, just like the Musa (real banana trees). It is a tuberous rhizome plant native to the tropical regions of Africa. It is a large banana plant, with no base discharge, reaching 6-10 m or more in its native country. In our climate it will rarely exceed 3 m in height and 2 m in wingspan. It is remarkable for its ornamental qualities, and for its speed of growth. A juvenile plant may reach 1 m 50 in height in a summer.
The Ensete ventricosum Maurelii has a thick trunk, called stipe, bulbous. The leaves, produced at the extremity of the stipe, are particularly large (1m long), long and broad, whole, alternate, of a dark green strongly tinged with brilliant wheel on the top, paler beneath. They are crossed by a large central red rib. It is a relatively cold plant, persistent in mild climate, able to withstand slight frosts in the range of -4 to -6 ° C.
This plant is used in massive or isolated areas, in regions with mild climate, planted sheltered from the wind. It is in itself an ornament for the terrace when it sits in a large tray. It will be able to store it in winter in a cold greenhouse. In this use, it combines well with other orangery plants, such as oleander, citrus, or Strelitzia reginae.
Grow and care Ensete ventricosum Maurelii:
The Ensete ventricosum Maurelii should be grown in full sun or partial shade, in rich, rather cool, but well-drained soil, in the ground or in a large vat. It fears drought in summer and soils waterlogged in winter. The aerial parts are destroyed by freezing at 0 ° C. They then fall back on the stump, protecting the underground buds down to -5 ° C if the soil is dry. The new stems emerge vigorously and quickly in the spring. Clean the plant in the spring, once the frosts have passed. As the root system of this plant is undeveloped, we can try to dig it up in autumn in a cool climate to overwinter in a pot, frost free. Another tip practiced by some gardeners is to grow the plant in a large openwork pot (or pierced with holes wide enough to let the roots) that we bury in the summer, to dig up in autumn. This openwork pot can be placed in another classic pot of a diameter just above to winter freezing.
It is best to plant this plant in April to May. You can also grow it in pot with the recommended substrate: 1/4 garden soil, 1/4 potting soil, 1/4 coarse horticultural sand or pozzolan, and 1/4 well decomposed manure, as it is a greedy plant. A bed of clay balls in the bottom of the mixture improves drainage. This plant, when grown in pots, wins to be out in the sun during the beautiful season. It often loses its leaves in winter, for lack of light. The frost-free banana can be wintered in a well-lit room, reducing watering. If some leaves change color in winter, it will not affect the health of the plant. Watering will be abundant during the summer, enriched every fortnight with a balanced liquid fertilizer.
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