ensete maurelli info

[Mr List]

i have been reading up on these a little since i got some today,

3ltr pot sized, now planted into 33cm diameter pots with 50-50 perlite/mp and added miracle grow 6 months slow feed.

just want a general FAQ here,

will that be adiquate feed?
i have bought some miracle lawn feed powder (34:7:7 npk ,i think)
should i water with some of that diluted down (maybe ... quarter strength?) from time to time?
will those pots be big enough for this seasons growth?

when winter comes i want to try the dormant method:
cut off leaves,
dry out totally or water a little?
how warm or cold should it be for a dormant ensete?
how light or dark?

any other tips or info i should know about these nanas?

[kata]

I just put mine out on sunny days, (its out now)

I, water it, its in a tom pot (tall)

I fed it slow release when I got it, and have given it a shower from the can with Photrogen for a folier feed.

Its in MP and nothing else.

Its now got new leaves (bought as a seedling) the stem is begining to thicken now. I am very pleased with it.

One thing that happened is a leaf spllit in the wind, must be very tender. We get fairly strong winds under the front window so its now been moved to the back garden which is more sheltered.

HTH Mr List.

[Dave Brown]

I use 50/50 in a small pot/tub when they start to come out of domancy in the spring, as they don't want to stay too damp to start with, but for summer growth 25% perlite should be ok. 50/50 may make it difficult to keep watered enough for maximum summer growth.

There is no single compost that is suitable for best summer growth and overwintering dormant. That is why mine are planted out then dug out and all compost removed in late autumn (here).

Feed is best little and often. If I use Miracle gro, I add the lawn feed (without weed) 50/50 with general purpose, and chicken pellets work well. If you over feed it burns the leaf edges

[kata]

Came home from shopping to a new leaf,

Thanks for the advice Dave.

I don't know if they are burnt or just worn, old seed leaves. I will watch ouit for that.

[Mr List]

when you say 50/50 makes it hard to keep watered for maximum summer growth what exactly do you mean.

are these a bit like colocasia for water requirements?

mild-cold = not at all
warm = a little to a lot
hot = infinite water

[musa_monkey]

when you say 50/50 makes it hard to keep watered for maximum summer growth what exactly do you mean.

are these a bit like colocasia for water requirements?

mild-cold = not at all
warm = a little to a lot
hot = infinite water

Thats a reasonable summary but i would go with a little while warm rather than over do it. I use 50/50 to over winter then repot in summer to retain more moisture. Only relavent of course if you keep it in a pot !

[Mr List]

i'm just wondering how much extra i should be watering since it is in 50/50 in a pot.

[kata]

musa,

What do we do at season end when they have been in pots, do they need drying out?

I just water till I think its wet to the bottom Mr List.

[musa_monkey]

musa,
What do we do at season end when they have been in pots, do they need drying out?

I have only ever had success over wintering them after drying them out.
Every time i havent dried them out i lost them to rot.

Dave highlighted a method on here using a dehumidifier and thats how i have been doing it since. Have a read of this thread

http://www.hardytropicals.co.uk/forum/v ... 06&p=98837

[kata]

Thanks Musa...appreciated!