varig8

Aeae is not difficult if you provide the right conditions for them. Having grown them for about 20+ years, here are the basics I have learned along the way. They can be PH sensitive. Provide soil conditions right around 6. They prefer less water than most other varieties, this of course depends on how much water your type of soil retains vs how much water you give them. They will rot if given too much and will not grow with 'wet feet'. They will grow in shade, partial shade, or full sun. Full sun will grow a much sturdier stronger mat, but with that, you will have more browning of the white tissue in its leaves. Aeae will benefit from epsom salts as well as most other bananas and heliconias. Rooting out a new corm is the most difficult part, as can be with most dug up musa corms; very light on the watering, remove any excess leaves. Better to allow the new corm to use its energy into producing new roots than to support soon-to-be non functioning leaves. I recommend starting them out in pots with as much as 80% perlite, and I usually start them out in 100% (very good drainage and lots of aeration to the new roots). Best to purchase a small already rooted potted plant to avoid any re-rooting problems for the novice. Follow these tips and you will have no problems growing Aeae. 1. Do not over water. 2. Do not plant in water retaining soil areas. 3. more sun, stronger plant. 4. Patience Patience Patience.....let them alone and dont 'fuss' with them, I know how many well intentioned over-waterers they are out there in our hobby!! Also depending on the amount of mutant tissue exhibited in the particular plant you start out with-Aeae will have a tendency to produce some all green suckers (who cares about those?), all white suckers (etiolates)-these will die if separated from the mother plant, and will weaken the mother if allowed to continue to grow as they are entirely dependent on its mothers chlorophyll to survive, and the rest with varying degrees of 'attractive' amounts of white tissue. This is the main reason they remain on the more expensive side-they do not produce genetically identical clones from the parent.