GStone

How many people make their first posts here in the Banana ID forum?

Hi, I'm a bit of a beginner with bananas, although I've done a little reading here and there. I had bananadom thrust upon me by a neighbor who wanted to get rid of the bananas that were "taking over the patio", and since I'm creating a tropical theme around my place I couldn't really pass them up.

These were growing in Seattle, against the south side of the house and had been there for some years already when they bought the place five years ago. They were obviously thriving.

The tallest was about 12 feet high last October. We didn't get around to digging them up until this February and the foliage was mostly dead except for the new growth that had started because of an unusual early warm spell.

I cut the pseudo-stems to a few inches above ground, dug them up and took them home and put them in the ground right away in a spot where they get full sun until late afternoon/early evening. For the first few weeks they were covered with a sheet of black plastic to help keep them warmer. When they started popping up a few months ago I fertilized them with fish fertilizer and have done so every couple of weeks.

Based on my reading and image searches, I assumed they were M. basjoo, but now that they're growing, I'm not so sure. They have a distinct red rib on the leaves, and the undersides of the leaves have an even, reddish tinge (i.e.not variegated). Any help would be much appreciated.


Last fall:


Last fall:


Today:


Can't really see the red in this photo, it's kind of lost in the bright sun.


New pups:


The red bits:




I'm also concerned about the yellowing around the edges of the leaves. They just started doing that about a week or so ago, and it may coincide with a very early spell of hot, sunny weather. They've been getting enough water and have good drainage.

Thanks for any input you may have!

cincinnana

Welcome to the Jungle!!!
I think your plant is a Basjoo.

I took pics of a smaller plant so it would match yours..
Also check out this thread, you might be able to take something from it, I saw that you had another question in another thread and thought you might find this of interest.
Your plants will be heavy feeders, a regular garden fertilizer will work just fine.

Hibernating a basjoo

..Top view

Basjoo
by Hostafarian, on Flickr
.underside of leaf

Basjoo
by Hostafarian, on Flickr

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GStone

Thanks, Cincinnana, that looks just like my plants. I'm amazed that bananas grow in Cincinnati (my home town). Thanks for the link as well; off to do some reading!