Ensete ventricosum

Just had to share with someone my burning desire to get hold of this for next years bedding displays - even better if its 'Maurelii'

blimey they're expensive though - if anyone has any seeds then I'd love to hear from them

Emily

 

I grew a few from seed this year, obviously only the type species, ie. just green leaves with red mid rib.

PM me if interested in a small plant.

But you would need to overwinter frost free, as I'm sure you know.

 

ah, now you're making me jealous john. what a lovely tropical display!

i have seen the maurelii priced from £3.50 for a plug to £35 for a mature plant. I'm just not feeling very flush at the moment... poor me...

was just saying to pete that apparently you can propagate them by cutting the base into pieces but it seems a risky proposition for a valuable plant.............

 

They grow very fast so you can just go for the smallest plant you can find Emily.
I had a Maurelli a few years ago, in two seasons it became too big for me to overwinter, so it died.

I think I,ve seen the propagation technique you are referring to, it involves cutting the plant off at the base and gouging out the base of the stem.
Not tried it, but I dont think Ensete grows pups without something like that, it doesn't normally propagate itself vegetively, presumably, until after flowering.

 

Saw the thing about chopping up the base on another forum here -

Propagation of Ensete v. ' Maurelii' - Banana Forum - GardenWeb

but apart from that there doesn't seem to be a lot of info about it.

 

You could ask this lot.
UK Exotic Gardens • View forum - Main Exotics Forum

I'm sure some have done it here

 

I just both one today at Homebase , about 4ft for just £8 ....:yess: