What's Wrong With My Ensete Maurelli?

Bama Banana · 08-15-2009, 04:43 PM

I bought this plant from Lowes a couple of years ago. It was labeled Ensete Maurelli. It was about the same size then that it is now (it does freeze back to the psuedostem in the winter).

Anyways, I have seen pics of huge Ensete Maurellis...like 15 to 20 feet tall. They even say these are supposed to get up to about 10 feet even with harsh winters.

But mine is just not growing much at all. And it doesn't have very much purple coloring (well almost none)...could that be because of full sun?

I keep it on a drip system, and I have fertilized it twice already this year.

Am I doing something wrong, or do I just have a dwarf variety or something?

LilRaverBoi · 08-15-2009, 07:16 PM

You should try protecting the pseudostem during the winter so it doesn't die back to the ground and have to start over every spring. As for the coloration, if they are in full sun, they tend to have less of the maroon coloration on the leaves. Mine was very colorful till I put it outside and now it looks like yours (green with maroon midribs and outlines on the leaves). Hope that helps a bit.

Bananaman88 · 08-15-2009, 07:46 PM

Brian's advice is sound. I think it looks very healthy, actually; other than the fact that it doesn't have much red coloration. I always found it strange that the E. maurelli's lose their color in the sun while plants like 'Siam Ruby' need the sun to bring out their reddish color. Weird.

bananimal · 08-15-2009, 07:48 PM

Bama ---- What are you doing for fertilizer?

Also, you need to remove the grass - let's say 3' diameter.

How much water does the plant get?

I have been successful this year with my first Maurelii that grew out. But my problem was mites. Also learned this guy is a water hog.

Dan

damaclese · 08-16-2009, 08:44 AM

what are you feeding Maurellii are heavy feeders also they need a PH of 6 they will not color in alkaline soil just stay green they like some iron to not allot but it helps them color a bit deeper but in an of its self will not initiate coloring

08-15-2009, 04:43 PM	#1 (permalink)
Bama Banana Bama Banana Location: Enterprise, Alabama, United States Find me on the map! Zone: 8a Name: Bama Banana Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 39 BananaBucks : 34,925 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 7 Times Was Thanked 120 Times in 25 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	What's Wrong With My Ensete Maurelli? I bought this plant from Lowes a couple of years ago. It was labeled Ensete Maurelli. It was about the same size then that it is now (it does freeze back to the psuedostem in the winter). Anyways, I have seen pics of huge Ensete Maurellis...like 15 to 20 feet tall. They even say these are supposed to get up to about 10 feet even with harsh winters. But mine is just not growing much at all. And it doesn't have very much purple coloring (well almost none)...could that be because of full sun? I keep it on a drip system, and I have fertilized it twice already this year. Am I doing something wrong, or do I just have a dwarf variety or something? __________________ More pics on Facebook. Send me a friend request at "facebook.com/joeympowell"

08-15-2009, 07:16 PM	#2 (permalink)
LilRaverBoi Nanner Time! LilRaverBoi's Photo Gallery Location: Cedar Rapids, IA Find me on the map! Zone: 5 Name: Bryan Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 2,937 BananaBucks : 118,918 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 534 Times Was Thanked 2,243 Times in 1,245 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 855 Times	Re: What's Wrong With My Ensete Maurelli? You should try protecting the pseudostem during the winter so it doesn't die back to the ground and have to start over every spring. As for the coloration, if they are in full sun, they tend to have less of the maroon coloration on the leaves. Mine was very colorful till I put it outside and now it looks like yours (green with maroon midribs and outlines on the leaves). Hope that helps a bit. __________________ BANANA RAVE! Feel the beat from start to stop, dancin' and movin' from bottom to top! lilraverboi@genxglow.com RIP Tog Tan. We love you and will always remember you! I'm Bryan with a Y! There is no 'I' in BRYAN!

08-15-2009, 07:46 PM	#3 (permalink)
Bananaman88 Bananaculturist Bananaman88's Photo Gallery Location: Houston, TX area Find me on the map! Zone: 9 Name: Brent Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 3,019 BananaBucks : 221,538 Feedback: 22 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1,339 Times Was Thanked 2,263 Times in 1,178 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 191 Times	Re: What's Wrong With My Ensete Maurelli? Brian's advice is sound. I think it looks very healthy, actually; other than the fact that it doesn't have much red coloration. I always found it strange that the E. maurelli's lose their color in the sun while plants like 'Siam Ruby' need the sun to bring out their reddish color. Weird.

08-15-2009, 07:48 PM	#4 (permalink)
bananimal Member bananimal's Photo Gallery Location: Port St Lucie, Fla Find me on the map! Zone: 10a Name: Dan Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 2,512 BananaBucks : 570,973 Feedback: 12 / 100% Said "Thanks" 4,688 Times Was Thanked 4,979 Times in 1,509 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 191 Times	Re: What's Wrong With My Ensete Maurelli? Bama ---- What are you doing for fertilizer? Also, you need to remove the grass - let's say 3' diameter. How much water does the plant get? I have been successful this year with my first Maurelii that grew out. But my problem was mites. Also learned this guy is a water hog. Dan

08-16-2009, 08:44 AM	#5 (permalink)
damaclese Living in Exile damaclese's Photo Gallery Location: Henderson NV Find me on the map! Zone: 9 Mediterranean climate Name: Paulo Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 1,767 BananaBucks : 287,473 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 1,352 Times Was Thanked 1,620 Times in 706 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 101 Times	Re: What's Wrong With My Ensete Maurellii? what are you feeding Maurellii are heavy feeders also they need a PH of 6 they will not color in alkaline soil just stay green they like some iron to not allot but it helps them color a bit deeper but in an of its self will not initiate coloring __________________ Helping to foster understanding for the learning disabled

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