damaclese

the Wiki says just about every thing you need to know about this plant here is a cut and past i wrote most of this my self

==Description==
Botanical Name: Ensete ventricosum 'Maurelii' (en-SET-ay ven-tri-KO-sum) also known under the common names of False Banana, Red Abyssinian Banana, Red Leaved Banana, Wild Banana
Ensete Ventricosum belongs to the family Musaceae sub-species Ensete. There are approximately 37 species in this genus.
The wild form of Ensete ventricosum is widespread in tropical Africa from Ethiopia, through Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania south to Mozambique and South Africa (Transvaal), and west to the Democratic Republic of Congo. Ensete is cultivated for food only in Ethiopia, where it was first domesticated possibly about 8000 years ago. The center of Ensete cultivation is in the mountains of south-western Ethiopia.
Ensete Ventricosum 'Maurelii' is a banana-like perennial has large paddle-shaped leaves, that range in color from deep claret brown to red-purple to pale green, produced from the center of the plant, having thick midribs with bright red undersides. White flowers are borne in inflorescences 3 to 4 feet long. Fruits are banana-like but dry and unpalatable. At maturity in approximately 5 years, they can reach heights of up to 30 feet, but are more likely to grow to approximately 20ft.
Ventricosum are grown primarily for the food value of their corms in their country of origin (Ethiopia). The corm being a rich source of high-grade food starches reaching a mature weight of approximately 40 kg.
In Europe and most of the western world this species is grown as an ornamental. Ensete ventricosum 'Maurelii' is a sport of the normal green Ensete ventricosum not a distinct or separate species. To reproduce it must be either tissue cultured or the corm must be divided to produce the red offspring. It does not normally grow true-to-type from seed the offspring of the seed will most likely be of the common green variety. However, they can produce red offspring from seed but the chances are 1 in 10,000.


==Cultivation==

*Mature Height - 6'-10', 20'

*Survival Zone -9-11

*Fruiting Zone - 9-11

*Cold Hardiness -9
*Wind - moderate

*Sun - lots of sun

*Taste Description - N/A, however the corm has been known to be cooked and eaten.

*Personal Notes - dose not like high Humidity

*Growth tips -
Easy from seed.
This banana will not naturally pup. You must cut the meristem stem at soil level to fours pupping. allow to dry out between waterings. Do not wet crown of plant rots easily. Like fairly strong sun but can tolerate up to 60% shade. like high temps. Not suitable in highly humid climates. Comes from a dry cycling highland plains area. If grown in pots dose OK but not grate do to its rather enormous root system. Has a tendency to go dormant in low light. Will die if attacked by aphids and not treated right away. repot every 3 months or when roots show out bottoms of pots typically 3 to 4 times a year rapid grower feed 10-10-10 keep firt away from corm if potted better to use water soluble firts to prevent burning of the corm

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