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Lodewijkp
02-06-2008, 09:04 AM
E.Glaucum is reported as cold hardy on the internet , but i read various reports on the forum that it isn't hardy.
i wanna give glaucum seeds a try but if it isn't cold hardy ...

Tropicallvr
02-06-2008, 09:16 AM
It's found from Himalayas, high elevations in Yunnan China, all the way to Puapa New Guinea, and at many different elevations. It's known as a drought tolerant plant in warmer regions.
Where ever they harvest the seed is most likely the hardiness of that particular E.glaucum, and it's alot easier to harvest where ever you can find it as opposed to trekking up a cold mountain in China, or the Himalayas. So it could be cold tolerant, but not likely with seeds that are readily available.

dablo93
02-06-2008, 09:31 AM
no it's not cold tolerant I think.
maybe it wil survive -5 but whith protection and christmas light it will maybe survive here in the Netherlands.
I did read somewhere on internet that it's called snow banana because e. glaucums haves a waxy white 'skin'

mrbungalow
02-07-2008, 11:29 AM
Whoever named it the "Snow banana" must either have had a buzz or be the king of irony.

Or it could also be as Tropicalvr said, many seed dealers find it easier to source seeds at "sea level" than way up in the himalayas.

It's a real temperamental plant. Among us hobbyists here, it seems to only grow really well in the southeastern united states, where it's hot and humid. For cooler climates (such a mine) and drier climates ensete ventricosum performs a million times better than ensete glaucum.

It's a shame though, because the plant is beautiful.

Erled

bigdog
02-07-2008, 07:11 PM
According to Markku Hakkinen, Ensete glaucum is native to certain areas that experience seasonal frost. I suspect that provenance does play an important role in whether or not it is hardy. I also have a friend in Anniston, Alabama that has overwintered it for 2 years in a row with not much, if any, protection. I've never tried it here, but I might one day. There is one in the UT Gardens (actually there were 3, but 2 bloomed) here in Knoxville that is a stump right now. I am going to keep my eye on it to see if it comes back.

redtail_2006
02-08-2008, 02:25 PM
I got 2 here in the uk! will thay survive?.I dout it lol.We will see i guess.

Tropicallvr
02-08-2008, 03:33 PM
Well, at least they are the second hardiest on the Ensete list. Maybe someone will try a hybrid with ventricosum for us people with cool summers.

redtail_2006
02-09-2008, 03:24 AM
Doese anybody have any pics of this plant?Preffebly a nice big plant please.

barna
02-09-2008, 10:06 AM
Mine is not a very big plant (only about 1,50 m) but here is a picture from last autumn

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=7886&size=1

BTW, if I am not wrong, the name 'Snow Banana' was originally used for Ensete 'wilsonii' described as a high altitude Ensete but in fact only an ecotype of E. glaucum.

As this species was not a valid one, sellers start using the correct name E. glaucum and then the whole species was called 'Snow Banana'. As said before E. glaucum has a wide distribution including non cold-areas.
Seeds from diferent origins were distributed as 'Snow Banana' and said to be cold-hardy.

I wonder if any you have plants from the original seeds of E. 'wilsonii' coming from high elevations in Yunnan, and if they are really cold-hardy? :coldbanana:

dablo93
02-09-2008, 11:16 AM
Hi barna, is the Glaucum still in the ground and did it survive the winter?

barna
02-09-2008, 03:47 PM
It is more or less alive ¡¡¡ ;)

All the leaves were burned but the stem is still green. This is the first winter I have this species planted in the ground.
Springs is coming and will show if it is going to grow again

I will keep my fingers crossed :hiiiiyanana:

redtail_2006
02-10-2008, 03:14 AM
Thanks barna thats a nice plant.My one seems to have a very waxy trunk!Is this like yours mate?

bikoro child
02-10-2008, 03:26 AM
Hi Barna yes you can cross your fingers if your Ensete will survive a-6°C without protection...Bonne chance à lui...

barna
02-10-2008, 04:58 PM
Merci, Bikoro

Fortunately my Ensete is under some pinetrees and the freeze was an irradiating one ( I am not sure if this is the correct name used in english).

I had a look today and the stem is still nice green so there are high chances the plant is stil alive :2700:

Lodewijkp
02-12-2008, 07:13 AM
if someone had fairly cold hardy glaucum from seeds , please note the link of the shop here.