Banana Leaves for horses? and other stuff
 

Hi - I'm new to the forum -retired and trying my hand at grafting and growing edible fruit and citrus - want to add bananas and avacados to my list.

I share fruit across the fence from our apple, persimmon and fig trees with neighboring mini ponies - wondering if banana leaves are ok to give them?

Also, my banana tree grows quite large annually but doesn't fruit. don't know the variety- want to grow bananas for eating. what are good fruiting banana varieties to plant in ground for my area?
When is best time to plant? and is there a source for plants nearby?

Location: Zone 8b, Biloxi MS - between Mobile, AL and New Orleans, LA. mostly hot and humid, occassional high winds in hurricane season
a few nights in the high teens -20s F in winter - Thanks in advance for any advice.

Re: Banana Leaves for horses? and other stuff
 

Re: Banana Leaves for horses? and other stuff
 

I know calves really like them. My potted plants close to the the fence kept getting pulled into the pasture and eaten! I suppose horses would like them too. I guess they taste like bananas....

Re: Banana Leaves for horses? and other stuff
 

Check with a veterinarian about the banana leaves and the persimmons. The persimmons are in an unusual plant family and can create problems for many animal species over time.

Re: Banana Leaves for horses? and other stuff
 

As others have observed many animals eat banana leaves. Some I have seen include cows, pigs, goats and elephants. I've never seen a horse eat them, but I've never seen a horse been offered some either.

Re: Banana Leaves for horses? and other stuff
 

My horses eat banana leaves without any ill effects. They could get too close to my Basjoo and they tore them up. Since then when I trim them up, I just throw the leaves over the fence now.

~JaNan

Re: Banana Leaves for horses? and other stuff
 

Thanks for all the responses - This site is neat
I posted some pictures of the banana plant and the mini ponies in my gallery
Fortunately, the minis aren't tall enough to reach the nana leaves since the plant is by the fence.
Would appreciate someone identifying the nana - it dies back each winter so it has never made fruit - don't know if it is an edible variety???:08:

Re: Banana Leaves for horses? and other stuff
 

I sometimes give a banana leaf to my rabbits and they seem to like them.

Re: Banana Leaves for horses? and other stuff