Banana
Musa acuminata
Also known as
Piesang (Afr.), Plantain
Musa acuminata kz1 by Kenraiz (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Full Sun
Easy care
Moderate watering
Tender
13b
USDA zone
18°C
Minimum temperature
Expected size
Height | Spread | |
|---|---|---|
2.5m | Max | 1.5m |
1.5m | Min | 50cm |
Fruiting
spring
summer
autumn
winter
Bananas are picked throughout the year with the main production season from early to mid summer. The fruit can be harvested by cutting the stalk when the bananas are plump but green. For tree-ripened fruit, cut one hand at a time as it ripens.
More images of Banana
Banana Overview
Banana is really not a "tree" but a fast-growing herbaceous perennial arising from an underground rhizome. Musa acuminata produces red banana fruits. Most commercial bananas are classified as Cavendish bananas and are sweet with yellow skins. The Williams variety is tall growing and produces large cylindrical bunches of fruit. The uses range from culinary to medicinal applications, & can even be planted as ornamental in a tropical or sub-tropical garden. 'Lady little finger' is a variety often grown outside tropical areas with bunches of small fruit. Requires at least 8 - 10 hours of light.
Common problems with Banana
Root rot from cold wet soil. Nematodes, gophers, snails & earwigs.
How to propagate Banana
Suckers
Propagated by suckers in the wild. Large suckers should be removed from vigorous clumps with a spade when at least three feet tall, during warm months and replanted same depth as it was growing next to motherplant.they will produce fruit in 3 years.
Seed
Sow seeds in Winter.
Division
Division.
Special features of Banana
Crop rotation
Medium Feeder
Pot plant
Bananas make good container specimens if given careful attention. The plant will also need periodic re-potting as the old plant dies back and new plants develop.
Attracts birds
Attrects nectarivorous nectariniid birds.
Other uses of Banana
Culinary, fruit, food
Culinary
One of the top consumed fresh fruits in the world!
