Wednesday 20 May 2015

Removing The Fleece From The Banana Plants



Under wraps since October the fist layer, hessian, was removed a month ago but now the hardy banana plants, Musa basjoo, are bursting out from their horticultural fleece protection.


The fleece is carefully removed revealing the new, lush green foliage that has been desperate to be released from the confines of the winter protection. Now free, these quick growing bananas will give this section of the border a luxuriant, exotic feel.


The Musa basjoo have faired a lot better under the winter wraps than the less hardy red Abyssinian Banana plants, Ensete ventricosum 'Maurelii'. The red banana are usually dug up and taken to the greenhouse for storage but, being too heavy, had to be left in situ for the first time, a chance had to be taken on them surviving outside through the winter.


The fleece and old leaves were removed to reveal a trunk but no fresh growth from the crown. Cleaned up it is hoped that now they are exposed to fresh air, rain, sunshine and given a feed they will soon start to regrow.



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