Ensete Ventricosum

Summary

Similar to Ensete Maurelii, but Green with a red stripe on the leaf. Apparantly not as hardy as Maurelii

2013

August 27th
I bought this from an online seller, quite a good price for the size I received

I kept it in the greenhouse the rest of the summer, seen here 18th October it had reached just under 5ft

2014

April 2nd

It wintered well in the loft

 15th May

Hardening off

30th June

Growing well

I dont have any pictures of it from here on until the next summer. it wintered in the loft again but was slow to get going and shrunk a lot. it was still very small when planted out in 2015

2015

July

you can just make out how small it is behind the aloe flower, only about a foot tall

22nd august it has recovered well to about 4ft

dug up in October and stored in dry compost in the conservatory, minimum temps will be around +7c

2016

April 7th

It kept its leaves in the conservatory this winter, and has started growing new ones now on the heat mat. (the plant on the right)

8th May - Planted out in semi shade against a west facing wall

September 10th, swamped in the melee it has developed a lean reaching for light but has grown very well, up to 5ft

Dumped in the very messy shed for a few days upside down or at an angle to dry out 

before being put in the greenhouse with all the other bananas, kept at +5c minimum temperature