I will order some in the spring. Order now. They will have leaves in the spring and won't move well then. Ideally they should have been planted in August or there about. Bought now they may well try to flower. I'm told late plantings do better if you cut off any attempts it makes to flower now. You...

I think that is Nerine bowdenii. The 'straight' species is available from most on line bub sellers, for example . Named forms have been selected by the Dutch for cut flowers and are beginning to become available. It is the best autumn flowering bulb that I have ever grown. Hardy and reliable, but of...

For the propagation of the impossible I use a Dew Point Cabinet . I bought mine when it was still a 'mark one'! I have replaced bits and pieces over the years. Mine now has different lights, a new pump, a new thermostat and new timers. It does leak a bit so mine has its legs standing in pots that ne...

Are we all being a bit pessimistic?

The 'top' of the fern where the leaves should be isn't shown.

For a positive spin, how about;

'The fungus will live on the dead leaf bases and liberate nutrients for the live fern to use and grow with!'

Chad.

Personally I'd be slow to reach for antifungals. Most of them are quite toxic and it would be almost impossible to get it distributed through all of the 'dead' tissue that makes up most of the trunk. It rather depends on which fungus it is. I'm not good on fungal ID's, but I think that one is Stereu...

I agree with Jim completely, take cuttings and protect them, but..

Are you sure that is A.arborescens? I don't remember it having spikes except at the leaf margins.

Chad.

Schefflera enneaphylla is my favourite at the moment. DSCF6043small.jpg DSCF6004small.jpg Thankfully they all flower at slightly different times, so seed is [so far] coming true. It needs an exceptionally mild winter to ripen though - being 'ripe' in the early spring. Schefflera macrophylla defoliat...

Schefflera taiwaniana is reliable here [Inland Cornwall]. It is about to flower for the first time for me. This is Edward Needham's introduction [known informally as 'gracillimus']. DSCF6005small.jpg DSCF6006small.jpg To my eye Schefflera rhododendrifolia is more coarse, but it is of proven hardines...

Tara_100 wrote: ↑Mon Aug 20, 2018 11:46 pm Thanks all, but from my opening post:

"I have many musa basjoo, a musella lasiocarpa, and an abyssinian, but want to try a new type"

That is a bit harsh! We each gave you one new option!

Chad.

Bananas are not my strong point, but since no one else has answered... The only one that doesn't get shredded here in Cornwall is Musella lasiocarpa. Musa basjoo, 'Tibet', and sikkimensis have proved hardy. Ensete ventricosum is hardy here for about three out of four years without protection; I lost...

Huge thanks for the hard work put in Aidan.

Chad.

I would be very interested to know what the seeds grow into. There is some debate about this plant. It was distributed in the UK by Liam at Madrona Nursery [always worth a visit if you are in the area], but he hasn’t listed it since 2010. I understand it isn’t easy from cuttings. It is unclear if it...

It is worth asking at your local agriculture/ horticulture college.

In Cornwall they have tunnel space for rent for 'start up businesses' and even if yours doesn't they will have contacts in the trade and will probably know if anyone is renting out.

Chad.

Hi Sue, With the Ash tree next door likely to die in the next few years from Chalara you should look forward to a bit more sun. Big leaves and wind are our main challenge down here [I'm in Praze just south of you]. Musa basjoo spends most of the year in taters here. Musa 'Tibet' looks similar and is...

For a huge range,this German site is hard to beat.

Chad.