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Online Library / Winter
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| Article - Banana Plants |
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Season: All
Category: Indoor Plants
Growing Bananas
If you're tired of the same old ivies and philodendrons you may want to try something different. There are literally thousands of tropical plants to choose from, but unfortunately many will not do well in the low light and low humidity environments of our homes. However, with a little care and perseverance there are some tropical plants that will will reward you with not only flowers but also perhaps even fruit!
A native to the Old World, the Banana is one of the most popular and important tropical fruits. Under proper conditions it can be grown and bear fruit successfully in the greenhouse. We would like to be optimistic in thinking that some of you may also be successful banana growers in your own homes as well. The most widely used variety by home growers is Musa acuminata 'Dwarf Cavendish'. It grows four to six feet tall and bears many small scumptious fruits.
Banana plants are rapid growing perennial herbs ranging from 5 to 25 feet tall depending upon the variety. The trunklike structure of the banana plant is called a pseudostem which is composed of compressed leaf sheaths originating from an underground rhizome. The rhizome is the 'true stem', and the pseudostem dies back to the rhizome once it has fruited. New pseudostems or suckers are always being sent up. While your banana plant is young only one stalk should be allowed to grow. Once the main stalk has fruited and died down, new suckers can be allowed to grow once every three months.
Bananas are heavy feeders. They require plenty of feed and moisture along with a deep, well-drained soil. They also need to be protected from the wind, or cool drafts in the house, as naturally they grow in a hot, humid climate.
A banana fruit takes about 100 days from the time the flower bud appears to maturity. Bananas can be picked before they're ripe and hung in a cool shady place to ripen, deveoping flavor and sugar. These fruits are not only tasty, but are rich in several minerals and some vitamins. And one medium-sized fruit only contains 85-100 calories!
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Forth Floral Inc. ~ P.O. Box 616, Rhinelander WI. 54501 ~ TF: 1-800-382-4942 P: 715-362-7600
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