Lodewijkp

HI

how hardy is the ensete maurelli in when planten in full ground, what is it leaf hardiness, trunk hardiness and root hardiness ?

I want to keep it outdoors heavily mulched and out of the wind, is that possible with this species here in the netherlands ?

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Mustang

Good luck! Over in the UK, we bring them in to keep them alive. Even mulching and heavy wrapping is not a guarantee of survival. They are quite tender.

Mark, can you post the picture of your Maurelli that you left out this year?

musa_monkey

I have read of varied success in the UK over the 2006/7 winter which was fairly mild. Personally i wouldnt take a chance with my maurelli, i would rather cut them down and store them in the greenhouse than take a chance in loosing them altogether outside. Interestingly we have seen -3°c locally so far this year already in my area of the UK (South East.)

southlatropical

My maurelli was slightly burned by a very light frost which killed the leaves on my other bananas. The outer leaves had splotches of burn, and the inner leaves were hardly touched. I think they are supposed to be hardy to zone 9.

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Las Palmas Norte

I cut my Ensete ventricosum 'Maurellii' back quite hard in late autumn. I then constructed a plywood box type shelter with one inch polystyrene insulation lining the interior walls. I have two tops for it, one that matches the same construction techniques (plywood and insulation) and another that is a double layer of 6 mil poly. Each can be used depending on needs, with the poly one being the main cover. The insulated plywood cover can be used during a cold snap if and when that happens.
I did run a string of old type incandescent Xmas bulbs on a timer for supplimental heat, on as as required basis. Be carefull if you decide to try the same as I've found 3 or 4 bulbs is enough to keep the temperature in the 40 - 50 degree range.
This has worked so well infact, I've had to add an additional 2 feet of new height to the enclosure since the Ensete has managed to continue to grow slowly.

Cheers, Barrie.

Mark Hall

First pis is Maurelii second is Montbeliardii and thirs is good old Basjoo.

I have got small Maureliis thru the winters before with no protection at all. They were slow to come back the next spring and never really made an impressive plant.

I am leaving the two Ensetes alone to see if there is still any life in them come this spring. Basjoos will come back no probs.

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Steve L

Mine has survived the past two winters in the ground. Lows of 24F the last two winters. Major leaf burn but the pseudostem has remained alive.

Steve

tophersmith

Steve,

How big was it and did it reover nicely or was it stunted?

Steve L

I bought it as a 1 footer 2 years ago. It has not grown as fast as I thought it would but it's my fault in the selection of the location. It was 6 feet tall before the first frost this year. It is already pushing out a new leaf since the 24 degree night of Jan 3. My accross the street neighbor has 3 very large ones in her yard and they are doing the same for her, pushing out new leaves.

Steve

Mark Hall

This was them before the frost -7. And just after.

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Time Flies like an Arrow.....Fruit flies like a Banana.

Las Palmas Norte

I believe that temperature rebound is critical. 24f will kill the Enstete outright if it happens repeatedly or can't warm up sufficently the following day.

Cheers, Barrie.

Steve L

Barrie,

You might be right. Fortunately here on the Louisiana Gulf Coast, almost always the temps climb the day following the cold spell, which occured due to radiational cooling; hence the sun is out in full force the next day. There are hundreds of Maureliis all over town as several local nurseries carry them and the landscapers like them as well. Haven't seen one croak from cold yet but we never have prolonged freezing temps.

Steve

tophersmith

Unfortunately I have to agrre with you.Last fall my Maurelli weighed about 200 pounds bare rood with one leaf. (seen in my album) I am not sure how many more years I will want to try to dig this monster up, even though it's my favorite.

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tophersmith

Here is is last fall

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Las Palmas Norte

200 lbs ! and that's small. Over time they're emmense and need to be left in the ground. That's what prompted me to come up with the enclosure rather that dig the thing up.

Steve L ... your rebounding temps make it a survivor on the Gulf coast. Temps rebound here (mostly) but never enough to be of any benefit so protection is required for Ensete. Musa basjoo however is another story and waits until spring then expodes which produces some nice big groves.

Cheers, Barrie.

tophersmith

Barrie,

Do you have any pictures of the enclosure you built?

Las Palmas Norte

Chris ... the design is simple. A 1/2" plywood box with 1 inch styrofoam insulation. I have two tops for it, one constructed the same as the sides (for a nasty cold snap) and the second, a 2x2 frame with a spaced double covering of 6 mil poly. I ran a string (25 lights) of old incandecent xmas bulbs for heat when needed. So far only 3 are used to keep the temp in the 40f - 50f range. (The temperature went to 80f in 15 minutes when all 25 where lit.)
I've cut the banana back once already and felt I couldn't keep doing that so I added another 2' of height to the enclosure.

Cheers, Barrie.

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tophersmith

Barrie,

Wow you really love your nanners

magicgreen

Don't YOU?

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(Started growing bananas July 2007)
(Zone 6)

mskitty38583

mg...how are your seeds doing?????? im excited to know!!!!

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