Hardy Tropicals UK

Does anyone know where i can get a siam ruby from at least 2ft in height would be nice.
I have seen one for sale on ebay for 15.00 pounds plus p&p which is 10 pounds! This is only for a 30cm plus sized plant! does anyone know where i can find a decent priced siam ruby from?

sanatic1234 wrote:Does anyone know where i can get a siam ruby from at least 2ft in height would be nice.
I have seen one for sale on ebay for 15.00 pounds plus p&p which is 10 pounds! This is only for a 30cm plus sized plant! does anyone know where i can find a decent priced siam ruby from?

I don't think you will get one that size San. They are not strong growers in the UK and are difficult to overwinter successfully. Getting one now will mean seeing growth stop in the next month to 6 weeks than you have the problem of overwintering. I'd wait until next spring now.

HERE are the existing topics on Siam Ruby

sanatic1234 wrote:Does anyone know where i can get a siam ruby from at least 2ft in height would be nice.
I have seen one for sale on ebay for 15.00 pounds plus p&p which is 10 pounds! This is only for a 30cm plus sized plant! does anyone know where i can find a decent priced siam ruby from?

As a banana nut,its one nana that i wont buy again even if i was offered it free.Its just not suitable for our climate san,needs a tropical or sub tropical climate to get the best out of it.It will not grow very well in our summers unless we have a hot one,doesn't like dry soil,soil needs to be kept moist meaning,you cant put it on hold over winter months,has to be kept above 14c with bright light to keep it growing.

Well that has put a NO NO on that idea then Thanks for letting me know mush before i did actually buy one. Its the gorgeous burgundy colour that i like so much its so eye catching and looks stunning. But never mind i will have to look for some other big red leafed plant to take its place.

san why dont you try musa sikkimensis 'red tiger' it has a more garenteed red marking on it than the normal variety just a thought

To be honest Adam, there is no comparison, just a shame it is not a good banana for the UK.

Here was mine in August 2009. but as Mush said it is impossible over winter. In my consevatory as soon as temps fell below 10C by day watering became a problem. I naturally water less as things cool down, even Dwarf and Super Dwarf Cav can take some dryness in winter, but not the Siam. As soon as it starts to dry out it wilts like crazy, and if you water it, it rots

Here is a typical winter wilting scene before the stem rots off.

I bought/won a Siam Ruby plant on ebay few weeks ago. Paid few €'s. 30 cm tall plant with red markings already. Now when it has become more popular it is easy to obtain the plant at a low price. I don't think there's a point in buying a large plant online. During shipping it may be easily damaged. And the price will be much higher.

Nice specimen Dave..last pic.

No pretty flowers on it though

I really do love these, shame about our UK climate. I am still very gutted that they don't take to our climate for wintering.