nealnick5

After reading several forums about how tough this sucker is to grow, I was having second thoughts about buying one. But it was too late! I had already done so. It arrived today.. prettiest thing I have ever seen.

I am very good at growing pretty much anything, so I feel confident about this "fickle" banana plant. I planted it in the same soil as everything else I have that thrives (basic soil with bark in it... the bark acts like pearlite and creates air pockets to allow for adequate drainage). It is potted, of course, because here in VA it's about to get extremely cold. We will see how it does I guess. I'll keep you updated!

I cut off 3 of its 6 leaves so it can root better.. poor thing hardly has any roots. I cut any dead/broken roots to prevent rot. Keeping the roots moist but not soggy.

[IMG]23192679_10214566787663972_1742194921_n by Nick Neal, on Flickr[/IMG]

[IMG]23146446_10214566786263937_1446133411_n by Nick Neal, on Flickr[/IMG]

[IMG]23140365_10214566786423941_1112967402_n by Nick Neal, on Flickr[/IMG]

[IMG]23191915_10214566786183935_1515352736_o by Nick Neal, on Flickr[/IMG]

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Growing: Ensete ventricosum 'maurelli', Musa balbisiana 'Thai Black', bordelon, basjoo, Dwarf Cavendish, Dwarf Orinoco, itinerans var. itinerans, lasiocarpa, orinoco (tall), saba, sikkimensis 'Red Tiger', TaNee, zebrina, VDN (green), 1000 fingers, praying hands, ornata purple, veluntina, french red, super dwarf cavendish, dwarf iholena, red iholena, balbisiana (yellow), kru, mananzo, zebrina var. gran nain.