hilabeans

Hello!

I'm new to the forum and new to bananas in general. I'm a small hobbyist looking to add an ornamental variegated banana plant to my collection. I know there are several varieties and cultivars that result in variegation. I'm not concerned about fruit, I mainly want the plant for it's structural form and foliage.

I live in Central Texas but would like an indoor plant so I can control temps and humidity requirements, plus for the aesthetic appeal.

Is there a variegated musa that would thrive as an indoor container plant?

Christine1950

I think the Zebrina is a good candidate for indoors but she must have a decent amount of sun for her colors to get bold and vibrant...

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cincinnana

No banana plant will thrive kept as an indoor
plant over time.

You can grow it for a year or two.....but then it is too big to manage ......for most hobbyists.

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cincinnana

Do check out youtube videos on how to extend the growth of your plant over winter.......

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cincinnana

Mine get hard to maintain when they reach 12-19 feet.
But with planning and great gardening practices......... will guide you through


Aeae
by Hostafarian,
on Flickr

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cincinnana

you still there???

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Sundra

That plant looks awesome O_O

My back also broke just by looking at that

cincinnana

It is what they do..

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cincinnana

SOOOO.....have you made a decision???

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smeash

So since the OP hasnt been back, ill chime in here! Im curious as to how you store your AEAE over the winter Mike? Do you leave them potted and just restrict watering? Ive seen some say to wash the soil from the corm and lay them down.. My AEAE might have 3-4 leaves by the time it gets too cool to keep growing outdoors here. Another option i considered was trying to continue its growth under a 1000W LED grow lamp. My main priority however, is to get it through to next spring, so i can get her in the ground. What would you suggest? Im in 9a, and the plant can be taken outside most days throughout the winter. Thanks Mike

cincinnana

Sounds like a good plan.
Your plant will have a 4x4 footprint which you will need to illuminate.
Every banana plant of mine is in containers and in a 65-72degree basement.
Usually they hold fairly well for the time they are down there.

For me once a plant fills the container with roots, the plant becomes pretty resilient to abuse.
I sometimes have issues with newly (30 days old) potted bananas because of the poor grow conditions indoors.
My cutoff for repotting is in early August to give the plant a chance to establish in a container.

They become difficult to keep indoors when they are above 7-13 feet high.
Small plants like many of the forum have gotten over the summer are the easiest to take care of.
They have a small lighting footprint and easy to manage.
Some of the fellas in the forum have been storing their plants barefoot for years with no issues.

The best info on grow type lighting is found on the many cannibis forums.
These indoor growers have great DIY ideas and a keen sense of gardening.
They are filled with links and reviews of grow products which are helpful to make a informed decision.
Some good takeaways can be found there.

You might just need supplemental lighting for those days indoors.

Maybe a couple higher wattage br30 led growbulbs in a DIY setup for one plant.
Thrift stores have lots of lamps and multi socket fixtures(bathroom light bars) to choose from which I have used in the past.

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smeash

Thanks Mike, I have some experience Growing under lights, but limited experience doing it with bananas. I did raise my TC plants under grow lights in garage for a few months last year, but they were actively growing so i watered and fed regularly. Im hoping my AEAE will perhaps stay growing indoors, with outdoors in the daytime.. if it goes dormant however, its best to really restrict watering or not water at all.. would you agree with that?

cincinnana

I would agree to restrict water using a light soilless mix.
But you want to grow this one out for the first 6 months you have it.
Treat the plant like your others....If fact the Red might be little more sassy.
The goal will be fill that pot with roots for spring

Sounds like it will work out.
However there are many ideas which have great takeaways also..
Search the forums......

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cincinnana

Indoors is brutal for a 15 foot plant.
But with great roots crowding the container this will snap back in a few months.

Note the Low moon in the march photo


AeAe leaves
by
Hostafarian,
on Flickr

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smeash

Ha! i would be divorced if I tried to bring a 15 foot plant in the house lol!

cincinnana

Get that led light Ready....

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cincinnana

So what have you decided to do this year with your indoor setup.?

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