Musa 'Mekong Giant'

Musa Xishuangbannaensis 'Mekong Giant'

Summary

Mekong Giant can grow to 30ft in countries where it doesn't get frosted. I have read that it needs really hot weather to grow well, but I have been happy with its growth rate so far. I only have one plant, so until it produces pups I am unwilling to experiment with its hardiness.

2014

I got my Mekong Giant early in 2014 as a very small pup from a gardening forum member

It spent the summer in the greenhouse and by July it had grown a lot

2015

It also spent the winter in the unheated greenhouse, my the end of March it was growing again

It was planted out in the back garden border and by September it has reached over 6ft

November 8th

I have dug it up as I only have one plant and don't want to risk losing it

It has a few runners so hopefully I will have some spare plants next year

This one was damaged, but it has roots and a growing point to I will try and grow it on separately

All the leaves  chopped off, put in a pot with a covering of compost should see it through the winter

December 15th. the snapped off runner is now growing, indoors on a windowsill

 2016

First trip outside the greenhouse. the roller has hit the ceiling a couple of times over winter so I've cut it shorter each time

Unfortunately after this picture was taken i snapped about a foot off the trunk getting it out the greenhouse

21st April - I planted it out a couple of days ago, it is growing

October, it has not grown very well this year:

January 2017

The stem has survived the winter so far unprotected:

29th March 2017

The one left outdoors collapsed a week or so after that photo was taken. I will let you know if it survived or not.

The one in the greenhouse that was from the 2015 runner is fine, and pictured below