Ensete
 

Ensetes don't develop suckers or those things from the roots, do they? So if I had say one ensete, how could I make more of them, not with seeds?

Gard

Re: Ensete
 

Some Ensetes do produce suckers, but only in some occasions and only if damaged to the heart of the growingcentre.
Ensete ventricosum should be able to do this, but e. ventricosum 'Maurelii' does so much more often when damaged.

Re: Ensete
 

I will have E. ventricosum and E. glaucum. Would it be possible to cut the corm into smaller pieces, and let those smaller pieces each grow to an own plant?

Gard

Re: Ensete
 

Hi Gard,
It should be possible with E. ventricosum,...I've heared that that's how they do it in Africa where they grow naturally and are grown as foodcrop,...but I wouldn't try it,...the risk is to big and it's very easy to grow E. ventricosum from seed right? They germinate quite good.
I've never heared of E. glaucum making suckers under any conditions,..but who knows?

Re: Ensete
 

In 'About Bananas' - old educational film you can see how they plant chopped up, but still large, corm pieces to grow new banana plants. But if this will also work with Ensete's in our climate ?

Re: Ensete
 

I guess it would work if it does at all work with Ensete. I ordered more seeds of Ensete ventricosum. So I hope I'll get a couple of plants so that I can try.

When Ensete plants have flowered, and they die, do the corm die too?

Gard

Re: Ensete
 

Wim, the Bananas in the movie (nice movie btw) are Musa and not Ensete's because they are grown for their bananas. With Ensete the corm and leaves are eaten.

Gard, I don't know if an Ensete dies if it has flowered, but I would say yes they do...

Re: Ensete
 

I tried a procedure this year where you cut down to the corm on a 4 year old plant, then it crusts over and new sprouts pop up. So far no sprouts, just a crusty stump. I think dividing a large plant seems a better choice...maybe next time.

Re: Ensete
 

Which Ensete was this?

Gard

Re: Ensete
 

2 E.ventricosum 'Maurelli's in 15 gallon pots. have heard that the "puping" doesn't work with other Ensete species, but some have only been around for a little while so who knows?