Foreverlad

Hey everyone,

For the past 6 months I've heard conflicting information on Ensete Ventricosum var. Maurelli and just how well it can (or cannot) handle high humidity. I've read about their native home, how they do better at higher, cooler elevations, etc.

Here are a few links to various threads/forums:

Ornamental Red Banana (Abyssinian banana, Ensete ventricosum) - Florida Gardening Forum - GardenWeb
Ensete ventricosum 'Maurelii' - Bananas Wiki
Ensete ventricosum var. 'Maurelii'

I've got 4 of them, one a TC, and 3 that I picked up (12"-20" each) at a plant sale a few months ago. Right now they're all doing great, but, like most anywhere else in the world, winter and summer are two very different things here in Florida (I'm in the Tampa Bay area, West Central FL).

Though I don't discount the heat and humidity of other states or countries, I was wondering if anyone here on B.org grows the Red Abyssinian, specifically in Florida, and if so, do you treat the Red any differently from your other banana plants?

While I do have my doubts about these plants' prospects, it sure isn't gonna stop me from trying

Any help will be greatly appreciated!