Ensete

[Las Palmas Norte]

Very fast growing, Ensete ventricosum 'Maurelli' has out grown it's 5 gallon pot. Note to self, plant it ASAP. I'll likely have to cut the pot to free it up for planting. Any other banana pics or info welcome.

Cheers, Barrie.

 

[Howeadypsis]

Fast growers eh

[Hammer]

Absolutely love these.  Great looking plants.

I have several in the ground here in coastal Southern California. Even with the mostly ocean influenced climate, these plants need protection.

In summer that means morning sun and afternoon shade.  Plenty of water too.

In winter, these need protection from frost.

Regardless of the time of year, protection from wind is a must.

[_Keith]

I have a couple of these in Lousisiana.  Twice, they have frozen to the ground, but returned in spring.

 

[Las Palmas Norte]

This one gets full on sun pretty much all day and has spent the past several months in my greenhouse. Minimum temps around 90°F (daytime) 60°F night temps. None I've had in the past have survived a winter freeze down. I'm very tempted to pot it up to a 20 gallon size and stick it in the ground next year.

Cheers, Barrie.

[Monòver]

This is mine. Takes morning sun and afternoon shade. Fast grower, but less than Musas.

[Hammer]

This is my best looking one.   It is by far the most protected of the 5 I have in the ground. 

[Ben in Norcal]

I'd like to try one of these but I am not sure where I would get it enough wind protection.  Do they die back to the stem with a mild freeze?

[Las Palmas Norte]

45 minutes ago, Ben in Norcal said:

I'd like to try one of these but I am not sure where I would get it enough wind protection.  Do they die back to the stem with a mild freeze?

Unfortunately Ben, yes. I think a light 30°F / -1°C frost of short duration might be the limit. Often it's whether or not frost crystals actually form on the leaves. An overhead canopy would prevent that. Some folks have cut all the leaves off in winter making it easier to protect. As a fast grower, it'll rebound quickly once warmer weather returns.

Cheers, Barrie.

[Las Palmas Norte]

I decided to re-pot rather then plant it out for this season. Next year it will have to be planted. We cut down a big Eucalyptus nitens this spring and the Ensete now sits on the stump.

Cheers, Barrie.

 

 

[Josh-O]

On 7/2/2016, 8:45:21, Ben in Norcal said:

I'd like to try one of these but I am not sure where I would get it enough wind protection.  Do they die back to the stem with a mild freeze?

yup, but they roar right back

[dalmatiansoap]

Had few for years

they get huge in no time and beautiful color makes them thankful

 

[Danilopez89]

I have one growing here in the desert. It got really beat with the heat wave of 120°f ++ but its quickly pushing out new leaves with the extra water ive been giving it.

I'll definitely pick up some more when i see them for sale at local nurseries. They are very colorfull when the temps cool down and reward you with new pretty leaves constantly. 

[_Keith]

Oh man, now you guys got me wanting to go buy more Ensetes.