Buying a banana plant: what to look out for

The quickest way to enjoy a beautiful banana plant is to buy the finished plant. Depending on the requirements, there are a few things to consider.

In the meantime you can buy exotic plants in almost every garden center, which is why you can find more and more banana plants there (Musa). There is a great temptation to indulge in spontaneous purchases. Because the plants not only attract with their imposing foliage, but also with their large, brightly colored inflorescences and of course the well-known yellow fruits. But the different species and varieties of the genus Musa have very different requirements, which is why you should think a few more carefully before buying. Which plant you choose should depend on whether you want to use the plant for food production or as an ornamental plant. If you want to keep your banana outside all year round, you should also pay attention to the degree of winter hardiness. We will help you make the right choice when buying your banana plant.

Buying a banana plant: choosing the right type and variety

There are over 70 different types of banana, the range of which extends over tropical to subtropical Asia and the western Pacific region. The needs and appearance of the banana plants are just as varied as the extensive distribution areas and the prevailing weather conditions. You should therefore know before buying what purpose the banana plant should serve and where the perennial will be later. Therefore, ask for the exact variety when buying, this provides information about winter hardiness, fruit formation and appearance.

Hardy banana plants

Winter hardy varieties are particularly in demand, especially if the banana will later decorate your own garden. Planted specimens of these varieties do not have to be dug up in winter and relocated to a protected winter quarter. The Japanese fiber banana (Musa basjoo). It is also called the "garden banana". The varieties 'Nana' and 'Saporro' also have an improved frost tolerance and are hardy down to -12 ° C. The plants reach a height of around three meters and are easy to care for. But don't be alarmed, the above-ground part dies after the first frost, as the leaves are only hardy to -3 ° C. But with appropriate winter protection, our winter temperatures will be withstood well by the underground rhizome, so that the exotic perennial will sprout again in spring.

There are also species that can tolerate shorter, light periods of frost because they come from the high mountains of Japan. In regions with mild winters, you can try your luck and overwinter a plant of the following species outside with appropriate protection:

Musa sikkimensis (hardiest, edible fruit-bearing species), Musa itinerans (The 'Burmese Blue' variety is particularly hardy), Musa balbisiana, Musa cheesmanii, Musa yunnanensis

Banana plants with edible fruits

Only a few species and hybrids produce edible fruits. The dessert banana (Musa × paradisiaca) grown. There are now more than 1000 crosses and variants of this species and the hybrids that arose from it. Plantains offer an interesting alternative, which can be enjoyed as a sweet dessert when fully ripe and, when they are younger, are prepared in a similar way to potatoes. These two variants bear sweet fruits:

• Darjeeling banana (Musa sikkimensis): Reaches heights of up to four and a half meters; bears small, edible, sweet fruits; can also overwinter outside in mild regions
• Dwarf banana (Musa ‘Dwarf Cavendish’): Up to two meters; well suited for bucket culture; is overwintered in light at 12 ° to 18 ° C

Most species die after fruiting. As a rule, runners then form, through which the plant survives in the form of a new generation. However, in our latitudes, a banana harvest is only possible indoors with a large pot and lots of light and warmth. It is true that fruits can form even with planted specimens after a mild winter. However, these do not mature due to our short growing season. By the way, the banana blossoms are also edible. The tasteless leaves can also be used as a serving mat or to wrap fish and meat when cooking or grilling.

Note: By the way, the curvature of the banana has to do with negative gravitropism. In other words: the banana grows in the opposite direction to the gravitational pull of the earth.

Banana plants with special ornamental value

Bananas not only score with delicious fruits. The perennials also have large inflorescences that are surrounded by nicely colored bracts. The most widespread ornamental plant among the bananas is the Musa ornata. This type is also called ornamental or magnificent banana. The different varieties score with different colored bracts. In addition, small, seed-rich, very decorative ornamental bananas are formed. Other pretty species or varieties are:

• Pink dwarf banana (Musa velutina): Already carries pink edible bananas after a year; Height: over a meter; not hardy; high water requirement
• Himalayan banana (Musa hookerii): Well suited for planting in pots; magnificent flowers, large leaves and small fruits
• Silver banana (Musa balbisiana 'Black Thai'): Very fast growing; very decorative; up to five meters; edible, seed-containing fruits; Hardy to -5 ° C
• Golden Lotus Banana (Musella lasiocarpa): Bears a yellow, fragrant giant flower in the second year; blue-green, powder-like leaves; not hardy; Height: 60 - 80 cm

Buying banana plants: watch out for pests and diseases

In general, pests and diseases rarely occur in bananas. But that doesn't mean that every banana plant should be blindly loaded into the shopping cart. Always make sure that the plant looks healthy and of the conditions to which the plant is exposed at the point of sale. If the plants are too cool or dry, the risk of infestation increases Spider mites or Mealybug. Incidentally, this also applies to the later location at home. You can recognize a spider mite infestation by a pale leaf tone and fine webs that form in the leaf area. Mealybugs reveal themselves through white, cotton wool-like webs on the entire plant.

Planting bananas: location, care and Co.

After buying it, it is not enough just to put the plant in any corner and water it every now and then. Exotics are particularly picky about their location and care must also be right so that you can benefit from your banana tree for longer. Basically, you should consider the following:

• Location: As sunny as possible, no direct sunlight, sheltered from the wind
• Soil: loose and permeable to water
• Watering: not too much or too little, no waterlogging, do not let dry out completely
• Fertilizing: All year round, regularly and in moderation with liquid fertilizer in the irrigation water, ours is well suited Plantura organic citrus & mediteranean fertilizer

Like you one Plant and care for banana trees correctlywe explain here. And in this article you will find tips on how to Wintering banana plants.