Last Musa Super Dwarf Cavendish brought in coservatory

[Dave Brown]

Today I dug out the last Musa Super Dwarf Cavendish. I have been pushing my luck as generally they don't like temps lower than 10C, but have been exposed to a low of 3.7C and last night 4.9C it still looks pretty unscathed

Here it was as a tiddler (small pup) back in June when planted out

Here today somewhat larger it was in a semi shaded position nestled under a self sown Trachycarpus, and seemed to have enjoyed it's summer holiday.

There was quite an extensive root system much of which had to be severed. Here is it dug out and about to be potted.

Finally, potted up in a mix of mp compost with 20% added horticultural grit. and a 5cm (2in) layer of shingle for drainage. It was watered in using 35C water to warm the soil enough to hopefully settle the roots in before we get cold weather.

[themes]

had no room to take my cavendish in...my grans now babysitting it over winter

[dave2166]

Bless Her.... is she knitting it shreddies too??

nanna's sitting nana's....

sounds like a headline from the daily sport

[Las Palmas Norte]

Looks very healthy Dave. Perhaps next year it will flower? Reminds me of what I was up to yesterday. I moved out and potted several things that are too shaded and wheren't getting enough sun and heat ... Kahili ginger, Calla, Canna and several stubborn Musa. I'll move them to a more suitable spot next spring.

How large is a 'super dwarf' at maximum size?

Cheers, Barrie.

[themes]

Bless Her.... is she knitting it shreddies too??

nanna's sitting nana's....

sounds like a headline from the daily sport

daily sport have headlines? I am confused are we talking about the same thing

[dave2166]

always two headlines from memory

[themes]

Big bust...

apt with it being the credit crunch

[dave2166]

why is we always go off topic Mo???

LMAO

[Dave Brown]

Hi Barrie, they get to 5 or 6 feet including the pot. When they quote banana sizes they always quote the pseudostem height rather than overall height.

The one I had last year was around 5 feet tall, but the root rotted over last winter. It would have flowered had it not rotted.

Here it was in December last year

[dave2166]

if it rotted with you in the south, i dont stand an earthly up here in T'north

[Dave Brown]

if it rotted with you in the south, i dont stand an earthly up here in T'north

Dave, it was warm and sunny and I hosed it down to prevent Red Spider Mite. It then immediately turned cold for weeks and I just could not dry it out, and the roots rotted. In future I will mist with Hydrogen peroxide to kill the bugs but keep the compost dry

[dave2166]

ok then i'll give 1 a try next year..... but expect lots of posts about its care next year

[Alexander]

Those Musa Super Dwarf Cavendish look to have some desease. The distorted growth, is that the result of a virus?

We have them plantec in our butterflygarden. They produce nice sweet bananas so we get our own bananfruits here! And they grow till about 2.5 meters so perfect size for under glass.

Alexander

[Dave Brown]

Those Musa Super Dwarf Cavendish look to have some desease. The distorted growth, is that the result of a virus?

We have them plantec in our butterflygarden. They produce nice sweet bananas so we get our own bananfruits here! And they grow till about 2.5 meters so perfect size for under glass.

Alexander

They are not diesesed Alexander, but in winter they still try to grow and conditions are far from ideal. Cool temps and lack of daylight cause the new leaves to be shorter than the summer grown ones. this gives it a flat topped appearance. My conservatory is not the lightest place as surrounded by buildings on 3 sides, only the south side and roof allows light in. In Summer the roof is quite sufficient, but in winter it is a lot darker than in a fully open area.

[Las Palmas Norte]

I recall a Cavendish I had once. The main stem died back over the course of winter. The following spring about 6 pups started. I figured I'd best give it away to let someone else try their hand at it. I saw it two weeks ago looking fine. The new owner dug it up and potted it for the winter.

Cheers, Barrie.