Need some advice on planting a varigated banana
 

I have a variegated banana plant that I want to plant in the ground until the cold weather hits to see if I can get some pups. I received the plant from PR Giants and I think he called it a Mannini or Ae Ae. Still alive although not that happy as it needs more shade than I currently provide. What do y'all think of getting one of these https://www.ebay.com/itm/10-Market-P...MAAOSw8W5aenRh and adding a shade cloth on top of it. I'm thinking something like 60% would be good but if someone has a better idea speak up.

Re: Need some advice on planting a varigated banana
 

I grow a few .....in zone5/6:08:
What exactly do you need to know...

Re: Need some advice on planting a varigated banana
 

I've noticed it burns the white parts of the leaves in sun and yet it needs sun to grow. So using that sunshade plus a shade cloth (never used shade cloth so no clue the strength) to hopefully avoid the burning. If it works well I may just cover the whole thing in greenhouse film and see if I can make a mini greenhouse for 1 banana plant.

Re: Need some advice on planting a varigated banana
 

For me in zone 5/6 Ohio my mature container grown variegated plants are in part shade..
The pant is a beast when small.
This plant is really not that special to care for....
Treat plant just like another large tropical........really

The plant is grown locally in hothouses and private residences


Please click on the photo to see more
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Florida ...full sun

Michigan .....full sun

Re: Need some advice on planting a varigated banana
 

I also grow a few. A lot of my variegated Musa burn. It is sunburn. Some people say it’s not but I have tested it several times and it is for sure sun burning the white. They grow easier than some all green Musa I grow. Need nothing special! No special soil! Just grow it like any other musa. Well draining with lots of organic material in the soil. You know the deal!

They are a little sensitive about too much water. For me they are much easier than a cavendish. Just try to shade it partially for now. When it hits 5’ it will stop burning. Mine get 9-10’. My big one froze with a flower about 12” from the top! Lots of pictures on my Flickr. Just click below. You will see the size they quit burning. They are finally coming down in price! There was a guy down close to you in Louisiana selling lots of them last year for $50. 3’-4’ tall ones! I bet he had 30 or more! Also saw some at Canton trade days for $75. All these local sources is awesome! As you know the risk of importing any plant from the tropics! Over 100 pests effect Musa in the tropics! Some are very aggressive and impossible to get rid of! We basically have 0 bad ones here! We need to keep it that way!

Re: Need some advice on planting a varigated banana
 

The browning of the lily white edges seems to be the nature of the beast for me..
Even if I yellow them up a bit they will still burn.


I have a (no photos ) portion of a deck of a with 30% shade cloth.
Black poly mesh material I have had for 10 + years, works well.
For me it is a trampoline for the racoons that visit.
Harbor Freight sells a 12x16 with grommets for dirt cheap.
Your plant will outgrow that umbrella in no time I think.

Like Ty said the plant is easy to grow and the price is coming down a bit and buying local sourced stock is always better.


While dumpster diving and thrift store hopping in Jupiter over the hoildays I came across a landscape truck with some freshly pulled AeAe pups...destined for the compost pile. Soooo, Why is it they fall in yur lap when you do not need them?
I took a few and planted them in my kids yard.


Gardens/Nurserys in Florida which host this plant are in full sun and some are under shade cloth too ,so I think it is personal preference.
Field grown plants are in full tropical sun.

Mine are in containers (Ohio) which I can move about the yard.

I hope you have good luck with yours .

Re: Need some advice on planting a varigated banana
 

My Florida was growing in full sun and suffered the burn. It also did not seem to like the conditions there as it was a bit scraggly and had no pups after almost 8 months. I moved and transplanted it to a shadier spot and I have 2 pups within 2 weeks of transplanting. Go figure?