Musa species
Family: Musaceae

Native to tropical Asia, where many varieties are grown, this large, herbaceous perennial is rather like a palm. It has exotic red or orange-yellow flowers, long, broad leaves and bunches of the fruit we know so well. Some varieties are grown for fiber, some as c. namentals, some for cooking and some foreating fresh. The fruit is a staple food as it is igh in carbohydrate.

Species

M. acuminata, Cavendish group, is a popular variety in parts of the tropical world.

M. x paradisiaca, sugar banana or lady's finger, grows to around 5 m (16 ft) and is well suited to the home garden.

Cultivation

In frost-prone climates, grow in large pots or tubs or in a soil border in a cool or intermediate greenhouse. Grow in soil-based potting compost and provide bright light but shade from strong sun. They can be stood outside for the summer. Outdoors, a warm sheltered hillside site, facing south, with plentiful rainfall, is perfect. The soil should be moist, deep, fertile and well drained. Weed control is essential, especially the containment of grasses like couch and kikuyu. Propagate from the suckers. A single stalk bears a single bunch, then dies. However suckers grow alongside the trunk from the rhizome below the ground. To ensure continuing production, select one vigorous sucker and destroy the others. The new plant will bear fruit in about one year.

Climate

Zone 10.