I bought a 2nd one!!!!!!!!

Libby · Post by **Libby** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 7:47 am

You know how I always manage to get 2 of everything? Well I've done it again
look........................

but I was good, when I first saw it about 2 months ago I told hubby and he just shrugged his shoulders as it was a bit pricy! I went to the garden centre on Tuesday and it was in the sale section at 50% off! Again I left it came home and told the money holder and he said buy it

so I did!!!

lucienc · Post by **lucienc** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 11:29 am

How much was it in the end Libby ?

I'm awaiting Homebase 50% sale to pick up another at £7.50

Not as big as yours mind.

Lucien

Libby · Post by **Libby** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 11:36 am

It was initially £50 then 50% off made it £25 plus my 10% off card £20!!!

Couldn't leave it there could I??????????????

Post by **Dave Brown** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 12:14 pm

Nice plant for the price Libby, although they are not exactly the same. The small one is the 'Montbeliardii', the big one is a Maurelii, clearly in it's second year.

Have you got somewhere to put in the winter

lucienc · Post by **lucienc** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 12:52 pm

I'm going to risk my (3rd year?) Maurelli outside this winter. Its right up next to the conservatory, right next to the swiss cheese plant that survived outside last winter. Its sort of protected to the south by the d.antartica which never loses its fronds.

'Montbeliardii' will be in the poly tunnel.

Lucien

Libby · Post by **Libby** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 9:25 pm

In the 2nd hand greenhouse that I have still to erect!! I have a smaller greenhouse 6X8 which does have heating, but could be a tight squeeze!!!
I hope to have heating in the new one too!!

Post by **Dave Brown** » Sat Jul 28, 2007 7:21 am

lucienc wrote:I'm going to risk my (3rd year?) Maurelli outside this winter. Its right up next to the conservatory, right next to the swiss cheese plant that survived outside last winter. Its sort of protected to the south by the d.antartica which never loses its fronds.

'Montbeliardii' will be in the poly tunnel.

Lucien

I would suggest a rain shelter as well.I haven't tried Maurelii, only the green ventricosum, but they come through in many winters to about March/April then rot.I think it is a combination of cold and wet, for just a bit too long.

I have overwintered both in my covered courtyard with leaves intcact, when a degree or 2 below freezing. The roof keeps rain and radiation frost off the plants

lucienc · Post by **lucienc** » Sat Jul 28, 2007 4:51 pm

Ah that shouldn't be too hard to construct - can do something off the pergola - might cover the big (import) W.filifera to give it a fighting chance for its first UK winter

Lucien

mixiepalms · Post by **mixiepalms** » Sat Jul 28, 2007 5:36 pm

Libby wrote:It was initially £50 then 50% off made it £25 plus my 10% off card £20!!!
Couldn't leave it there could I??????????????

Libby no you couldnt lol. clearly. I wouldnt have either, I love a plant bargain more than any other type lol. well done hun, good buy. as in great price not bye bye lol,

which i will now say for now

bye bye,

oh you know wot i mean lol

SteveW · Post by **SteveW** » Sun Jul 29, 2007 9:28 am

What a steal

Even if it doesn't make it through completely intact you could allways do this to it.....

and end up with loads(maybe?)
Although speaking to Mark turns out I may've done this wrong.As it looks like I didn't destroy the growing point.So may have to have another go.Might try cutting the corm into quarters?any opinions on the matter.

Steve

Post by **Dave Brown** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 7:52 am

I think you're right Steve, to get the million or so pups you have to destroy the growing bud. Not so easy without destrying the whole plant. It sounds like you are more likely to have success in spring after overwintering the banana successfully. Naturally people want to cut it down in Autumn/Winter to make it easier to overwinter. Perhaps you should try destroying the bud now, but on second thoughts you'll end up with hundreds of pups at a time of year no-one wants them

SteveW · Post by **SteveW** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 6:05 pm

I'd guess it'd take quite a few months for any of the pups to get to a decent size,Maybe I'll have to keep one of my greenhouses Tropical this year to keep things going,then I'd have loads at the time everyone wants them

As this one was destined for the recycling bin anyway its just an experiment to see if it works.Any pups that I get are an added bonus.
I got one pup this year from my oldest Maurelli that strangled,on closer inspection of it the corm had started rotting.All that was good was cut away with the pup,which is matching the seed grown Ventricosum leaf for leaf.Neither'll be big enough to plant out this year,but will be next spring.

Steve

SteveW · Post by **SteveW** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 7:37 pm

The chopped Maurellis growing point has stopped itself growing anymore and is now concentrating on these

Pictures were taken quite a few days back,they're now much bigger already,and have a distinctive colouration.I'll soon have more Maurellis than I can shake a stick at

Hope I've got room this Winter

Steve

Post by **Dave Brown** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 9:09 pm

Well done Steve, You could always try selling the pups if they are seperable before the winter.

SteveW · Post by **SteveW** » Sat Aug 11, 2007 9:12 am

Loong at posts on B.org,I don't think that'll be possible.It seems its best to let them get quite big and numerous before seperating.Probably be next spring.Which is OK as I think with all my recent aquisitions I'll be keeping a greenhouse very warm indeed this winter.
Damn these early sales

and advance ordering
Steve