Kinds.
- Musa velutina H. Wendl. & Drude or Banana velvety (velvet). This species reaches 1.3 meters in height. Can blossom already at the age of one year. Bracts of banana velvet pink, and its flowers have a bright yellow color and a very pleasant aroma. Blooming, bracts slowly bend, and then gradually folded a tube. The fruits of the banana are pinkish and contain numerous seeds.
- Musa coccinea Andrews - Banana bright red. The height of the plant is about one meter. Bracts of pink color.
- Musa ornate Roxb. - Banana lavender. It is grown mainly as an ornamental plant. It is also used for cutting. The homeland of this species is the subtropical and tropical forests. Banana lavender is distinguished by very effective flowers of yellow-lilac-orange color.
Care of the plant.
Grow a house plant banana is quite difficult. However, if you wish, this is quite possible. The fruit of a banana ripens in about 1-3 years - it depends on the size of the planted process and the intensity of light. So, with sufficient illumination, 10-20 centimeters shoots bear fruit for 2-3 years, and 50-70 centimeters for the first year.
The banana plant loves diffused bright light; from direct exposure to sunlight, it should be protected with a thin cloth or tracing paper. The banana feels best on the southern, southeastern and eastern windows. In extreme cases, the plant can be placed on the western window. If you put a pot of bananas near the north window, it will grow poorly and bear fruit. However, with proper illumination, it is still possible to achieve certain successes. It is best to keep bananas in a damp greenhouse or greenhouse.
Banana is a plant that loves warmth, so in summer and spring it is best to keep it at a temperature of 24-30C and constantly moisturize. In the summer, it is advisable to take a tub of water with the plant to the open air and slightly shade from the bright sun. In autumn and winter the plant has a rest period, providing active growth and flowering. At this time, the banana should be kept at an air temperature of 18-20C in a bright room. Do not let the temperature drop - if the room is below 16C, the banana will stop growing.
During the vegetation period, the banana needs abundant watering. However, do not allow water to stagnate in the pan - this contributes to the rotting of the plant. In autumn and winter, watering the plants should be reduced to moderate. If the banana is kept at a temperature of 18-20C, then it should be watered very carefully, because at low temperatures abundant watering leads to rotting of the roots. If, due to circumstances, the banana is kept at high temperatures, then it must be watered every time the top layer of the soil dries a little, and also constantly sprinkled. Watering the plant should be well-kept soft water, the temperature of which should be close to room temperature and differ by no more than 2-3C.
Banana loves moist air. If the room is dry, then the leaves of the plant begin to dry and lose their luster. Fight this with regular spraying. In addition, it is desirable to place this houseplant on a pallet filled with wet claydite, pebbles, moss or any other similar material. It will also help to improve the state of the banana by regularly washing its leaves under the shower. If the specimen is very large, then the leaves need to be wiped with a damp cloth or sponge.
During the growing season, it is necessary to feed the banana with organic and mineral fertilizers. Fertilizers alternate. Fertilize the plant is necessary after watering - this will protect the roots of the plant from burning.
The banana is transplanted annually, it is best to transplant it into pots that are two or three centimeters in diameter larger than the previous ones. If the plant is purchased in winter, then it should be given time for adaptation. Look, if the roots of the plant protrude from the pot, do not the leaves turn yellow. If this is not the case, and the leaves do not fall off, then you can wait until the spring with a transplant. Otherwise, transplant the banana. During the transplant, treat the roots of the banana with a solution of potassium permanganate pink for five minutes, examine them and remove the unhealthy and brown roots, sprinkle the sections with chopped charcoal. Containers for the plant should be roomy, because with a lack of space, the banana grows poorly. Plant a banana deeper than it was planted before - so the new roots will grow better, which will increase the yield of the plant. After transplanting a banana, pour it abundantly with warm water and place it in a bright place. After 2-3 days, gently loosen the soil, trying not to damage the roots of the banana.
For a banana, a mixture of turf (2 h), leaf (2 h), humus earth (2 h) and sand (1 h) is suitable. This mixture can be replaced by a substrate from turf ground (2 hours), humus (2 hours) and sand (1 hour). It is desirable to add to the soil horny shavings or bone meal. At the bottom of the pot, lay a 3-10-centimeter layer of drainage: gravel, expanded clay or other materials intended for this purpose. The height of the layer depends on the size of the container. On top of the drainage, lay wet river sand - this is necessary so that the soil does not prevent the drainage of water during irrigation.
Propagate bananas by dividing rhizomes (fleshy) or offspring. Some species reproduce by seeds.
Features.
Banana can be grown only if you can provide it with the necessary moisture, heat and light.
Possible difficulties.
If you take into account all the features of the plant, then problems with its growth and fruiting will not arise. Remember that during the period from October to February, the banana has a rest period.
If the banana has stopped growing or its growth has slowed down, then it is necessary to check if the plant has enough space in the pot. To do this, carefully take out the plant and inspect: the banana needs a transplant if its roots are completely covered with a clod of earth. In addition, a low temperature in the summer or a lack of light can cause a stop or slowdown in growth. Remember that the plant must be kept at a temperature of not less than 16 ° C, and the most suitable temperature is 24-30 ° C.
The following pests are dangerous for a banana: red mite, whitefly, spider mite, scab and thrips.