View Full Version : Any idea what this giant nanner is
lorax
06-20-2008, 10:06 AM
These sentinels of bananahood grow outside the gates of the Quito Botanical Gardens. They are HUGE - past 20 feet by my estimation, and not getting any smaller. The pstem and leaf habit remind me of the standard cooking plantain, but the flowers (and the size!) are anything but.
For scale's sake - the wooden-pole fence in the background of pic #3 is about 7 feet tall at the tallest posts.
Help? :nanerelectricguitar
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=10492&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=10492)
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=10491&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=10491)
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=10490&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=10490)
Gabe15
06-20-2008, 10:17 AM
Ensete ventricosum.
lorax
06-20-2008, 10:32 AM
really!? Very cool, then! I didn't realize they got so gigantic.
Gabe15
06-20-2008, 12:15 PM
They vary in size by growing location, growing conditions and variety. I've seen them from about 5ft all the way up to the massive ones you saw. They are a very variable species.
Dean W.
06-20-2008, 02:06 PM
I was going to say Ensete! I could tell by the flower. I must be learning something. :choochoo::jumpingonbednaner:
STEELVIPER
06-20-2008, 05:59 PM
There are reports that they can grow up to 60 feet in there native habit. The largest one i have had was about 20 feet before it flowered.
Chironex
06-20-2008, 06:09 PM
God help me, I love this stuff so much!
ClevelandCATHY
06-20-2008, 06:15 PM
WOW!!! I think i'm gonna have to build a taller greenhouse.
lorax
06-20-2008, 06:44 PM
Bear in mind, Cathy, that those were growing outdoors in Ecuador!
SteelViper - there were even taller ones inside the garden, where they got a bit more sunlight. I'd say the tallest one they have is about 50' - it matches an old Black Acacia, and dwarfs a number of the garden's younger walnuts.
mskitty38583
06-20-2008, 06:48 PM
thats a bigggg banana! i have room in my backyard....LOL! lorax do you think i could get that one through customs? think they would notice it?
Lagniappe
06-20-2008, 06:50 PM
Check this out . Supposedly larger seeds than the regular E. Ventricosum and they grow them in Ecuador .
Picture and details of ENSETE sp. unknown var. Seeds and Bulbs - Tropical Plant Seed (http://www.banana-tree.com/Product_Detail~category~22~Product_ID~19022.cfm)
I ordered regular Ventricosum seeds from there last year and they all flowered after 5-6 months @ 5-7 ' tall . Not the giants I had hoped for but neat non the less.
Bananaman88
06-20-2008, 07:09 PM
Bear in mind, Cathy, that those were growing outdoors in Ecuador!
SteelViper - there were even taller ones inside the garden, where they got a bit more sunlight. I'd say the tallest one they have is about 50' - it matches an old Black Acacia, and dwarfs a number of the garden's younger walnuts.
50 feet???!!! :nanadrink: Now I'd like to see that! No pictures of that one?
lorax
06-20-2008, 07:49 PM
I couldn't get far away enough from the tree to get a full photo. I've got an up-the-trunk shot if you like, but it's not really that descriptive.
island cassie
06-21-2008, 10:50 AM
That is a nice plant - love the interesting flower!!
Cassie
natedogg1026
06-21-2008, 12:59 PM
Looks similar to the flower on a E. Glaucum.
paula
07-20-2008, 07:04 PM
That is cool.
Rmplmnz
07-20-2008, 08:58 PM
Very cool....bananas are amazing............
Sabas August 2004 (in the back right corner..praying hands are in the foreground in front of the Sabas)...........right before 8 hurricanes in two years...knock on wood..we are getting rainfall equivalent to 2004....we just need to skip the Hurricanes
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=11555&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=11555)
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=11554&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=11554)
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=11553&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=11553)
Dean W.
07-20-2008, 09:36 PM
Thoses are some large plants! :woohoonaner: Would never get that big here I'm afraid. :ha:
island cassie
07-21-2008, 12:57 PM
Wow!
saltydad
07-21-2008, 04:47 PM
Not in my wildest dreams................but wouldn't it be great?
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