Is this really a banana?
 

Hello everyone,

I am new to this site and I just love it! Who knew growing bananas could be so popular!

Anyway, I need some help with my first banana plant that I bought from Home Depot. All it says on the tag is Musa hybrid mini
and it really doesn't even look like the plant pictured so I don't know what it is. The stats on the tag, if they're even right, say its mature size is 24-36" high x 8-10' wide (strange, sounds like a shrub) and hardy to 20°F, which is why the tag also calls it an annual for my zone 6.

The pseudostem is red as are the new leaves on top and underneath. The oldest leaf is green with a red stripe down the center and green on the bottom side of the leaf.
As I read in another post, some bananas have a waxy stem. Mine seems to have some wax on its stem also, at least it appears to be wax.

I guess my biggest concern is that it will never fruit, and I really want fruit, so can anyone tell me if this looks like a fruiting type? Do dwarf varities normally fruit? I also just noticed it has spider mites :2725:, which makes me think I should just take it back and get the larger variety I saw there. Anyway, any input would be greatly appreciated, even if its just to let me know what the distinguishing factors are among banana varieties.

Holly

Re: Is this really a banana?
 

Its a banana, though you are right in that it doesn't match the photo on the label, but its doesn't matter because that label is complete rubbish and doesn't have any real info on it (a common problem). The plant you have is Ensete ventricosum 'Maurelii', also called Abyssinian Banana. It does not produce edible fruit but is a very nice ornamental and can get huge given the right conditions. Search our forum for that name and you should find quite a lot of info on it.

Re: Is this really a banana?
 

Yup yup...Gabe is right (I never doubt him, though really LOL). Ensete Ventricosum 'Maurelii' or the Red Abyssinian banana. Definintely NOT what is pictured on the tag. They're great plants though. They get up to 20 feet tall. Here's a link to the wiki page for more information. I have one myself. I've heard the sun kinda reduces their red coloring and that they are more vibrant in partial shade. I know mine faded a lot when I moved it outside...we'll see what the winter does for it!

I'd keep it quarantined till you can get rid of the spider mites. I've heard insecticidal soaps will do the trick fairly well. Best of luck!

Re: Is this really a banana?
 

Darn, I was really hoping for bananas. That makes me a little concerned that it can get up to 20'. Can I keep it small if I keep it in a pot? I know bananas can get root bound, so can I trim the roots like a bonsai to keep it small?