dakers

I read in an old thread that the more sunlight, the more red color on new growth. But, it also said, when ‘Mauereli’ was taken to a tropical country, they turned all green. My experience this growing season in hot and sunny S. Alabama - is they turned green. But one I took to cooler Indiana in a sunny spot is that it turned from green to very red on the new growth. Who has experience that can provide an explanation. Are they only red in cooler climates?

cincinnana

My take is ....it is environmental.

__________________

dakers

It’s definitely environmental. Perhaps my question should be rephrased- What environmental conditions lead to more red color; or more green color, in ‘’?

cincinnana

I have noticed at the big box that the fresh Monrovia nursery stock has deep reds and a far richer color than mine.
My guess is they are grown under shade cloth with irrigation mats while mine is in full sun for 5 hours.
While I have altered color of some plants colors with fertilizers I have not done this with an ensete. My guess is that the response will be some sort of predictable color change of the foiliage as well.

__________________

pjkfarm

Ours is in full sun from 11 am to dark and has very deep red colour. Virginia zone 7ish (6b?). Been warm. In a pot, TC this past February, and now circa 3 feet tall, so not very old.

beam2050

soil ph????

__________________
...................................................

npk of wood ash 0/1/3 to 0/3/7

npk of banana leaf ash 1.75/0.75/0.5

dakers

I talked with a nurseryman yesterday who said, “heat” is the factor. But, I’d be interested to see if everyone growing Mauerelii in 90+ degree heat, has their plants turn green.

Soul pH does result in changing flower color in some hydrangeas. But, I’ve seen Mauerelii go from red to green in the same location.

pjkfarm

our location is about as hot as they come - protected corner with full sun after 11 am, 90s and over 100 for past two weeks, and 80's and 90's prior 2 weeks while actively growing - still very red.

pjkfarm

Note re temps - with black pots and protection, air temps around plants would have been in the 90's and low 100's for the past month, (outside of the protected area, temps were in the 80's to high 90's)