So... I bought a banana...
 

Yesterday I was in my local health food store, and there were banana plants by the check out. I stared and stared, and could not take my eyes off them. They had two signs on them. "Local" and "Hardy" Feeling a bit giddy I put one in my cart.

See, here's the thing: I'm in Washington State. And I have NO IDEA what to do with a banana plant. But here it is. Already planted in our chicken yard. Because I read on Wikipedia? Maybe? that bananas need phosphorus, and chicken poop has lots of phosphorus?



Yeah. I told you I have no idea what I'm doing.

Re: So... I bought a banana...
 

Welcome to the forum. I'm not good at recognizing nanners yet, but if it said both Local and hardy, chances are it was already growing in your area, and that should narrow it to Musa basjoo or Mekong giant, the latter having more red like yours, but someone here will be able to ID it for you.

I don't think that putting it in the chicken yard is going to do much that you can't do with the right soil mix and fertilizer. Why don't you put it out in the yard where you and your neighbors can all enjoy it?

Re: So... I bought a banana...
 

Welcome aboard,
pull up a chair and have some fun learning.

Re: So... I bought a banana...
 

Welcome. I think you purchased an Ensete Banana Plant not a Musa Banana Plant. I don't grow any Ensete plants so I can't offer any help. Congratulations it is a beautiful plant. Watch your chickens they might think the new plant is their dinner.

Re: So... I bought a banana...
 

Yes, the tag said "Musa Ensete" which is.... confusing....

The nursery this came from is one county over, but they had it in a green house. (I called the guy). I didn't actually get through to him, we played phone tag for a bit, then I found this forum. :D

Our chickens like banana fruit, but they completely ignore peels, so I thought this would be OK. But to be on the safe side I put a hardware cloth cage around it until it establishes itself.


The greenhouse this was grown in is in zone 9a and we're actually in 8a (unless I mixed that up... anyhow, we're one zone warmer)

My theory on putting this in the chicken yard is that it will provide shade for the chickens. Eventually? But, of course, if it doesn't thrive....

It's not currently in full sun. It's getting about 6 hours per day? I can move it closer to the house, where it will get more sun, AND get heat reflected off our concrete and stucco bungalow. That might work better.

The yard's a complete mess right now, but maybe I should be brave and take some photos of the options where we can plant this? Especially since there's a spot in the back of the house that gets extremely good sun throughout the winter. It's still in the chicken yard (we free range, mostly) but its an absolute mess right now, with a half-dug-up old and unused septic tank that I was thinking of converting into a koi pond. EVENTUALLY I would like to turn that area into a nice patio, but right now it looks like something from Hoarders.

Re: So... I bought a banana...
 

Ha ha.. yeah... We have Jersey Giants, and they're some massive and beautiful birds. We've got the chicken yard right next to the house... Because we're nuts like that. I can see this banana from my living room window right now.

The rest of the yard has apples and walnuts out in the back, and the front has blueberries, raspberries, and medlar trees. The only place left to garden is in the chicken yard... Which is tricky, but do-able. You just need enough hardware cloth.

Re: So... I bought a banana...
 

Oh. One more bit: I bought the banana Friday afternoon, and had it in the ground by evening. The next day I took the first photo, and I took the second photo this morning. I didn't think to say so in my last post, but there's a brand new leaf growing up there in that second post that wasn't there at all on Friday. So it can't be too unhappy, right?

Re: So... I bought a banana...
 

You know, even though I love chicken, they are a bit crazy! They're gonna destroy your banana plant or really mess it up. I've seen it when my ex-dad-in-law's chicken went visiting my bananas in Mauritius... Let's say a few chicken are still missing!!! They were good though, maybe it improved the flavor...

Re: So... I bought a banana...
 

We are almost neighbors. Welcome to the club!
Mark:08:

Re: So... I bought a banana...
 

If the leaves are red underneath it's a Ensete Maurelii.:drum:

Re: So... I bought a banana...
 

Are you able to get any bananas to overwinter there?

Re: So... I bought a banana...
 

The veins appear to be red, but it's not red all through the underleaf area. I think I found a page dedicated to musa ensete Musa Ensete: Is This The Tropical Plant For You? - The Wild Papaya • Tropical Nursery & Garden Center and my plant does look like the ones there.
I'll take another pic of it today.

Re: So... I bought a banana...
 

OK, yes, the leaves are completely red underneath. So... Now what?
Apparently it doesn't grow human edible bananas. But you can eat the roots. Also it grows for four years and then flowers and dies. Is this information correct?

Re: So... I bought a banana...
 

Not sure of the growth rate on yours, but the basjoos will put out an entire leaf every 5 days once they get going.

Glad you got it IDed! When you said, "locally grown," I didn't even stop to think about a greenhouse, ROFL.

Re: So... I bought a banana...
 

I have two Maurelii's and yours is a match. With the underside of the leaves being red I am sure. I have a pic in my gallery. Any problem viewing let me know. I agree that a chicken yard is no place for a banana plant.
Good luck,:ha:

Re: So... I bought a banana...
 

I have not tried overwintering outside yet. I bring my plants into the garage for the winter. I think I will leave a Basjoo out this winter and see what happens. My others I only have one of each,so will not take the chance.
Mark

Re: So... I bought a banana...
 

I am considering putting this one in a pot and moving it a little bit to a less windy spot. Still in the chicken yard, LOL. But a spot that gets good winter sun and might actually work for overwintering. But I'm thinking if I keep it in a pot I can easily move it inside if I need to.

Re: So... I bought a banana...
 

I have some plants in the ground and some in pots. Pots are easier to move inside. I think the plants grow better in the ground. The ground stays warmer than a pot. So when it starts to get cold the plants in a pot will be colder. In the end you have to plant the banana where it works best for you. But if you leave it in the chicken yard you should put a wire cage around it for protection from the birds. Just my 2.