Drove by that same area again, where all the plant nurseries are - So I once more stopped the car to see what's growing this time. Therefore yesterday ended up buying a small Banana tree sapling - And just now (10 minutes ago), I planted it into the ground! Last I grew bananas was way back in 1985 (in my childhood). So about time I gave it another shot as an adult too! You guys are now in for a treat - Because I'll be posting pictures of it regularly, (as it grows to full maturity). Banana 1 ( photo / image / picture from S-H's Garden ) Banana 2 ( photo / image / picture from S-H's Garden )
Interesting S-H. As we can't grow bananas here I'll await progress updates. I remember seeing bananas growing regularly in Malaysia
If I had an orangery I'd be tempted to grow bananas too. Sadly our Scottish weather doesn't even allow me to contemplate trying them here. I'll be interested to see how your plant progresses.
Wah! I'll stick around then. I see lots of banana trees daily, one of the countless advantages of being an islander
Good morning, just thought that some would like to know that bananas grow in other places too...like my backyard. Oubee. what type of banana do you grow? I have dwarf Cavendish,gold and red[dwarf means that the plant grows not too high and so we can reach the bunch] Also the sugar bananas or ladys finger..which they are called sometimes, they grow way up almost to heaven it seems and the bats usually dine on them before we do! ( photo / image / picture from chocolate's Garden ) ( photo / image / picture from chocolate's Garden ) ( photo / image / picture from chocolate's Garden ) ( photo / image / picture from chocolate's Garden )
They are also grown here in SE Texas. As a kid, I remember my parents having a banana tree... it didn't get very tall, but it did produce small sweet bananas. One of my aunts had a banana tree in her front yard and had my brothers dig it up and plant it here last fall. Here it is today, about 9-10 feet tall. yes I have no bananas ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) It dies back to the ground over the winter, so I'm not sure it'll ever produce. One of my cousins who lives a few miles away has fruit on her tree. Oh well... if it doesn't produce, at least it's a pretty plant out there!
Wonderful pictures! Thank you all for contributing in this thread! Yes, Banana trees really do grow very fast! Therefore I will now constantly be updating everyone over here with my progress! However, there are other uses of a Banana tree too... In India, specially Sri Lanka, and some parts of South Asia too - People often use Banana leaves as a disposable plate. And some even Barbecue fish wrapped in Banana leaves (instead of using aluminium foil). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HHV5kg-CJE See this picture too - HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! A devoted wife stuffing her husband with food! ( photo / image / picture from S-H's Garden )
S_H--She looks scary!! My parents used to grow bananas in south Florida. They had a bumper chop every ?winter? (I think it was winter when they ripened. Could that be?) Cheryl--your banana tree is gorgeous, especially with the sun shining through it. Chocolate--what a huge crop! S-H--Good luck with your banana!
I've heard of the leaves being used to wrap up fish to cook. I've never tried it though. Hey! There's an idea! If I don't get fruit... I can try cooking some fish.
I bought a banana tree two years ago. I now have 8. Last year two new ones popped up but I lost one during the winter. This summer 6 have popped up and they are HUGE!! They shade a small area of my garden which helps give my veggies some relief from the unrelenting heat of the summer. I hope I don't lose any this winter. I have grown attached to them.
Here it is! From 10 minutes ago. Not much progress in height, but all the leafs are new, and of a richer color - While the stem is now twice as thick! Banana 3 ( photo / image / picture from S-H's Garden )