Abyssinian Red Banana Winter Protection, Care and Overwintering, Musa Ensete Ventricosum Maurelii

[@kedist1978]

Use the leaves to wrap a bread dough before baking it . I am from Ethiopia where these plants grow at almost every garden . The bread will taste so good x

[@lisalisalisa7721]

Now we need instructions for baking bread in leaves. I may try to sell mine then.

[@sandrabeck8788]

Sounds very interesting. What about other foods baked in banana leaves?

[@danielhofer6192]

I absolutely love mine, it grew to about 2 meters to the tip of the tallest leaf this year. Now it's without leaves in a small pot with a bit of soil left around the root system stired in an unheated room with a bit of daylight coming in. Greetings from Siegen, western Germany

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Hello. Thank you. Nice to hear from you. Germany! Brilliant. Thanks for watching. Best wishes from England. Mark

[@Alfahippie]

I have big palms in my garden too, but sometimes you gotta ask yourself why we who love a tropical look/lifestyle don’t just move to a better climate, instead of spending our lives in a cold rainy place for the majority of the year.

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

A valid point lol 😂

[@lisalisalisa7721]

Hello from Seattle, Washington USA. This is so incredibly helpful. I have 4 of these and have been told various things but this is consistent with what I had been told. This will be my first year winterizing.

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Wow Seattle!! That's incredible. Best wishes with your ensette! 😊

[@lisalisalisa7721]

@@MarksHouseandGardenUK 😁 I may have further questions…we have similar climates which is why I was thrilled to find your video. I was told to cut them at the end of November but we have had snow by then. Should I do it by the end of October? or a few weeks into November?

[@JohnJohn-hv4ef]

Very extensive and detailed video. Thank you.

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Thanks John. I appreciate your feedback. Best wishes. Mark

[@nataliehorgan-young5896]

Hi Mark, I’m in west Cork Southern Ireland. This summer I bought a small red banana. It grew so much in the heat wave of 2022 summer that I am hoping to save it and overwinter it in my tunnel. I don’t have a shed for it so I’m going to follow the steps to overwinter it and use a fleece and keep it in my tunnel for the winter. It is still looking pretty fantastic now with huge leaves even though it’s now the 2nd of November. I’m planning to follow your steps of leaf cutting this coming weekend. We can have temperatures down to -4 Celsius so I have to just hope for the best. Many thanks for your advice and fantastic videos. Natalie

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Hi Natalie. I think ot should be absolutely fine in a tunnel with fleece. I would ward against over watering and definitely don't let it go below 4 degrees. Minus four would be a disaster but in a tunnel it should stay above that i assume. Perhaps you could wrap some insulation (I use this on my tree fern crowns) around the pot /root as well as fleece? Just to be on thr safe side. Best wished. Mark

[@precharette]

Thanks! I didn,t know what to do with these beauties! you really well described all the steps many thanks from Montreal Canada :)

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Hello to you and Canada. I appreciate your feedback and for watching my video 😊 Mark

[@dobnerk]

It would be so helpful to know what planting zone you live in to compare it to my own wether conditions.

[@peca1n]

Thanks, I wish I'd seen this last autumn lost mine this year. Wasn't going to bother with them again but you have given me hope I'm going to give this a go

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

It's always a little worrying still with the red Bananas. Unfortunately I'm a little worried about one of my two. But i would definitely take a chance because the rewards are worth it when they do well. Mark

[@leighclapton5068]

Hello mark , Great videos , very informative & very well put together , love the garden , Thank you , keep up the good work 👍

[@rebeccajones8005]

Thank you for the video!! I’m getting my first one this spring 😁Can you please make a follow up when you take the plant back out in the spring???

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Hi Rebecca, i will be making this video very soon. I have taken the ensette out of storage 2 days ago. It is always a worrying time to see if they come back. Watch this space for the video, they are being planted directly into the ground this year. I'm making a tropical/exotic border.

[@bloggalot4718]

I have used the same method for the past three years which has worked well with the plant in a cold conservatory which gets down to seven or so degrees in winter. I keep the compost almost dry during the winter and gradually increase the watering in spring.

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Yes this does sound the same as us. Our porch is probably down to around 7 too. Thank you

[@miaadam1574]

Stunning leaves. How often do you water them?

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Hi. Once or twice a week in the growing season. They are very thirsty. Sometimes daily in very warm weather. Mark

[@XuanNguyen-mn8ql]

The video sound is pretty good, beyond my imagination

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Thank you. It is a rode go wireless mic. Using open camera app. External mic feature on my Huawei phone.

[@kayleepetersen6552]

Hello, I am from Seattle, WA and brought my red bananas up from San Diego. I love them so much and am thrilled about your video as we have similar climates! I ended up bringing mine inside, but its a bit cramped as a full bush (only about 6ft high). Curious on what I should know about just moving them indoors in their current state vs if it is best to just cut them down entirely with your method?

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

This is an interesting question. I don't really know how it will fare indoors. Mine were in a cold porch (above freezing) so they went dormant and we're not fed or watered. If you can keep it growing indoors it may be worth thinking about trimming the bottom outer leaves to reduce its spread? What are your thoughts? And thank you

[@PaulaHawthorne-zi8ky]

Thankyou so very much. I have had my red banana plant for 2 years. I cut it back as you have but I have not transferred into another pot...I just bring the plant in and put in basement. I understand the reason why you transfer though...I will be doing your way this year. I live trying different ways. Thankyou

[@DutchessJohnson-lx5wp]

So when do I plant mine in USA Maryland in zone 8. It's been starting to sprout I haven't watered it but it's in a cool sunlight place

[@MarinaMandarinaWoolyWorld]

Good information but too late, for me to say "ugh, i don't need this headache" 🤣 fall inlove with this plant on my holiday and brought one home, for my garden, and only then started to research what it is and how to take care of it. I was sure it is OK for our mild UK winters, on south coast seams like every garden has them... but it is so pretty, i think I don't want to risk to leave it outside, so I gonna do this upside down method for winter 😄

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Honestly, it's not that much of a headache. And i find it's worth it. For four years we had them in large planters and just moved the planters into the garage. Good luck with it and i hope you enjoy your red banana. Best wishes. Mark

[@MarinaMandarinaWoolyWorld]

@@MarksHouseandGardenUK i do love it so much! Now I sit on my terrace even when it rains, just to see those huge leaves get washed and become shiny 😍🥰 we don't have a garage to keep it safe, but I will find a nice spot for it for overwintering 😊 is it ok if during winter ot will stay in a room temperature, around 19-20°C, or better to keep it cooler and darker?

[@davidhaspell6417]

Like those planters with the removable sides, have some much bigger than that for my Ensetes but a pain to get out every Autumn working from the top

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

yes i agree, it was a happy accident, i didn't plan it. but a great thing in retrospect. Mark

[@the.flower.barn_alkborough8956]

Hi Mark Just watched your videos on the red banana. My red banana has lived outside during the milder months (I’m in North Lincolnshire) and for the last two years I’ve brought it into the house for the winter and it lives in the bathroom - still in the pot, I haven’t repotted it yet so it’s probably well ready. I’m lucky enough to have a large south facing window in there so it gets plenty of light. I don’t cut the leaves off and it looks very healthy. However, it’s quite tall now and has outgrown the space. It hasn’t had any dormancy in that time. I’d like to have a go at propagation but I’m slightly nervous as it’s a lovely big plant and wondered if it might be too big to propagate. What do you think? I don’t want to kill it! Thanks in advance. Great videos! Kind regards Amanda

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Hi Amanda. Sounds like you have a great grasp on caring for this plant. Regards propagation. If it were mine i wouldn't risk it with a larger specimen plant. I'd be more inclined to buy one of smaller dimensions and have a practice first. I've also done videos on propagation. It's a bit hit and miss in my experience. Mark

[@cobralord4279]

I dug mine up last week, it’s about the same size as yours, they are so heavy😂

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

I agree. I had mine in the ground last year. But it was so backbreaking getting them out i decided on planters this year. Lol

[@bernadetteshanahan-smith5098]

The only place i can overwinter mine once i've got them to the re-potted stage in the video, is in my garage which has no light. Will this be ok? And should i wrap fleece around the plant?

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Hi bernadette, regarding the light, we've kept ours in a dark garage without any problems. If the garage remains over 4 or 5 degrees the fleece won't be necessary but provided it is breathable it won't do any harm and may just give an extra element of protection/stability. I'll be putting mine in a dark garage this year like you. Best wishes with it.

[@lesliekuna8756]

Mark, thank you so much for the video. I followed every instruction and just put my two red banana plants in the basement. My question is, what happens the the branches I cut the leaves off of? Thanks!

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Hi Leslie. Thanks for watching. Those stumps which are left behind will dry back a little and form part of the pseudotrunk. The banana eventually has a thick stem which resembles a tree trunk. But technically it's just leaf remnants. Does that make sense? Mark

[@rjshupe4554]

Hi Mark RJ here from Toronto, Ontario Canada. Great video you created. It was exactly what I was looking for. My only question is that the compost you used almost looked like peat moss. I bought triple mix, but I think it will be too dense and wet since the goal is to dry out the banana leaf plant. I’m thinking of just using straight peat moss in the container to have the plant sit in. What do you think?

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

I think any mix should work so long as it is kept dry (not watered) throughout the dormancy period. Mark

[@robertsmithshair4199]

look forward to this when mine grow to this size! was fairly easy this year to get it in the shed...

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

It shouldn't take long. Ours are only 3 or 4 years with us and they started less than 18 inches. Good luck!

[@wesleyhackney]

Was just curious why you left the top leave on? I always cut all the leaves off and place them in my greenhouse for winter.

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Hi Wesley. Thanks for your comment. There is no specific reason why we leave one leaf on. I think the only minor reason is we think the single leaf might help it get a bit of a start next spring when it comes out of dormancy. But in reality i suspect it doesn't make any difference. Best wishes. Mark

[@tamararobinson5775]

Thank you for the info

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

You're welcome thank you for watching. Mark

[@dowblackburn9498]

Thank you for sharing it's very useful

[@valjalava1951]

Great video now what do you do to get it ready for spring we have ours now in a five gallon bucket with dirt in it to get it growing

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Hi val. We leave ours until there is zero risk of frost. Then gradually start to bring them out to harden over a few sunny days. Then repot them in fresh compost and introduce water gradually. Mark

[@TheRobbieg2006]

Hello Mark got my first plant today cost about a tenner so potted up and placed in my greenhouse for this year as its a small plant with a couple of small leaves. great advice mark from your channel now I know what to do to get it to matured after a few years. really looking forward to it as a center piece show with my musa basjoo and colocasia. cheers Rob :-)

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Hi Rob, thanks foe this. If you are in the UK and you have some nice weather it may also be nice to bring the new plant outdoors for some direct sunlight, i think they appreciate it. But of course do protect it next winter/fall. Sounds like a nice selection of plants. I'm also a fan of basjoo and colocasia. Mark

[@TheRobbieg2006]

Hi Mark update as its July now and wow its about 1.5 feet tall now and leaves are getting bigger, had to take out greenhouse as to big with all my toms etc growing in there. I have a question though, will it be ok to over winter in my garage? if its below 4 in garage but no frost will it survive? Got a place for it next to fridge freezer and garage is connected to my house and neighbor's thanks Rob :-)

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

@@TheRobbieg2006 hi Rob. Great to hear from you again. Sounds like you ensete is thriving. Last winter we moved house in December. The only option i had was the garage. No heating. Both survived. I think you will be ok, let it dry out to prevent rot. And keep an eye on how cold the forcast says just in case. Mark

[@isabellevasko362]

I grow mine on a west facing balcony, and was just wondering what to do with it over winter. Will cut it like you have here and try to transplant into smaller pot. Hope it works!

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Hi isabell, are you UK based?

[@isabellevasko362]

@@MarksHouseandGardenUK yes, derby

[@SPERANZA65]

Hello Mark, brilliant and educational video, so glad I stumbled across it. I'm in Bury North Manchester, third time lucky with mine, its now 3ft tall, not watered it for a few weeks. Just been outside, cut the leaves and lifted it from the pot, so much water still in the crevices which I've hopefully emptied now. Like others its going in an unheated garage but as its also my drum room its well insulated so fingers crossed. I plan to put it in a pot off dry sand, will this be OK or do I have to use compost?. Also just wrapped up my 6ft musa basjoo which is going in an enclosed beach house outside. Thanks again and all the best. Chris.

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Hi Chris. Thanks for your comment. Sounds like you are already doing all the right things. I'm not sure about sand. I'd have to ponder that for a bit. Is it was? Salty? Soft? It's certainly going to be well drained. But might it be abrasive? Why are you thinking of sand out of interest?

[@SPERANZA65]

@@MarksHouseandGardenUK HinMark, nice to back from you so quickly. I read a few articles from the US last year that some people store the ensete in fine dry sand ( like playsand), I thoughtbthis may help soak up the moisture.. After reading your reply I think ill play it safe and use fresh dry compost. I always wonder why these plants don't die if you don't water them for months when other plants would give up the ghost and shrivel, I'm guessing its because they just go dormant? . Thanks again for thr top advice.

[@claire1-2-3]

Thank you for this. If I put mine in the shed, do I need to fleece them?

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Hi Claire. My opinion is that if the shed remains above 4 degrees the fleece won't be necessary. Having said that, it won't do any harm and may just give an extra level of protection and stabilise the temperature. Mine are going in the garage without fleece this winter. Best wishes. Mark

[@aceofspades5786]

Hi Mark, liked this plant and bought two seeds, what do you suggest, plant them inside now or wait to spring. ty in advance.

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Hi. Now that's, interesting, I've never heard of seeds for these red bananas and i must confess that I don't know a great deal about it. I've propagated them by dividing the root but never used seeds. Please let me know how you get on. Best wishes. Mark

[@wayne4831]

I dried out my red banana last year successfully but it took a long time to get going in spring. This looks an easier method so will give it a try. Is it helpful add yellow sulphur to the leaf cuts to help prevent rotting and how frequently will they need to be inverted to release water. Thanks 👍🏾

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Hi. I've not tried the sulphur so i cannot speak from experience or advise. Mine seem to have done ok without. Regarding inverting them. I just check regularly as i pass, if i can see water around the base of the leaves i lean them over. Eventually it will stop and the plant will become quite dormant. Mark

[@seancooper9552]

Thanks Mark - really useful overview. Will the single leaf you’ve left on top continue to grow and open up over winter? (Presumably as the plant dries out the leaf dies off?) Cheers.

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

The single leaf will effectively stop growing immediately and they tend to wilt a little but just about make it through to next spring, when the new leaves start to grow again next year it will be removed. And (as you probably know) there will be a new spike of a fresh leaf emerging within. Have a look at the giant planters vlog and you can see them being brought out of the porch much earlier this year.

[@janineh9430]

Great video Mark. Could you tell me what the temperature range for dormancy is? My shed is attached to the house and ranges between 4-12C, depending on the outside temperature. Could the warmer temperatures trigger it back into attempting growth? I am surprised the roots don’t desiccate completely but I’m going to give this a go. My Musa basjoo stay in their pots in the shed too. (we get as low as -15 on occasions here in Vancouver)

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Hi. Great question. And actually it is something I'm concerned about here. Our weather has become so mild. My assumption and hope is that the dark and lack of watering and low average temp will cause it to be dormant or at least stunted for just about long enough and that they will reach spring just in time. It is always a little bit of a risk and experiment. I think the temperature ranges you have specified closely resemble mine. So we can compare results. Mine, as yet, are still in the ground. Very late this year. Mark

[@lesliekuna8756]

Mark, do you water them at all in the winter?

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Hi. No, i stop watering. Completely. And i occasionally invert them to allow the water to drain from around the base of the leaves. Mark

[@jorgemartin7697]

Hello Mark My neighbor has the green version of that ensete, and he has it planted in the garden outdoors all year round, and it supports the winter well, the leaf burns a little, but in spring it re-sprouts perfectly, I am in the north of Spain and here the lows are -3.5 degrees more or less - Do you know if the green variety is more resistant than the red one? My intention was to plant the red one and leave it out in winter, but to protect it a little, I would collect the leaves on the trunk itself and tie them with a rope, making a kind of package, with the intention that the leaves themselves would act as thermal insulation , and with it, bear the winter I'm going to experiment with it this year, I have 2 one to keep in the garage, `just in case - By the way I have a variety of cold resistant Mexican avocado, it supports up to -8 degrees, maybe you might be interested in growing it in your garden, it gives a very tasty fruit, better tasting than hass a greeting

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Hi Jorge. I believe the some of the green ones are more resistant to lower temperatures but it is still a risk. In fact we have some green bananas and we intend planting them in to the ground next year and leaving them out with some insulation at winter. I wilk definitely try the Mexican avocado, thank you for the tip. In the spring i will source one and do a video. I'll let you know. Seasons greetings. Mark

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Also, i think it is brave of you to risk the red banana at - 3.5. But if you have 2 at least you have an insurance policy.

[@jorgemartin7697]

@@MarksHouseandGardenUK I am also growing another variety of banana, which is -5 degrees Celsius and produces a very tasty banana fruit without seeds, it is called "topocho" Right now I am growing 8 different varieties of banana, with very different characteristics, but soon, I will plant 4 or 5 more varieties - I am also planting a very interesting sub-tropical tree, the white sapote, which produces a delicious fruit, and also supports -4 degrees, I sent some seeds to a friend in England and for now they are sprouting well :)

[@ucmejessica2757]

@@jorgemartin7697 did keeping them outside work?

[@andrewthompson6425]

A very informative video thank you. Can you overwinter indoors without forcing the plant in to dormancy? (Without removing the leaves)

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

I have been asked this often and I'm in two minds. I would say in the right indoor conditions yes, high light and humidity. But without a large conservatory it might be problematic. For a smaller plant i would risk a warmer porch but restrict watering to the minimum. Does that make sense? Mark

[@ucmejessica2757]

Mines survived indoors but I removed some leaves and I removed them completely and killed the plant but it lived inside over winter and continued to grow. I was so sad should’ve done more research.. this year I will use a smaller pot so I can control how much it grows..

[@wendycoles2046]

Thankyou.🎉

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Thank you. Mark

[@dancox4624]

Thanks Mark! This helped a lot. I actually got my first plant this May and kept it outside so far and it is booming with new growth. However my original intent was to have it as an indoor decoration. Is it okay to leave a couple more leaves on in the winter so it’s nice to look at? If so, should I cut them off before taking back outside next year? Thanks! Dan Columbus, OH, USA

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Hi Dan. My opinion is that you should definitely try it and see what happens. Although, depending on the indoor conditions I'm not sure how the plant will cope. Indoors it will need lots of light and humidity (central heating may stress it). Our winter temperatures outdoors go below freezing centigrade. And unfortunately the light levels are too low in winter. That's why we put ours into dormancy. If you have a go I'd love to hear about how you get on. Best wishes. Mark

[@andrewszabo1552]

Hi Mark, I'm looking for your generous thoughts: I've overwintered mine successfully last winter by keeping it in its pot and bringing it indoors (GE's indoor plant light works great), however this autumn my plant is too tall to bring inside. If I cut the top half of the trunk off at a beveled angle, will I get a reset in my height? My theory is that the plant will push up a new leaf from the center as the metabolism speeds up from coming indoors to warmer temps + increased supplemental lighting. I'm just not sure if the plant can handle the shock of being entirely chopped in half.

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

My personal opinion is that this would probably work. It's definitely an interesting experiment but it is a risk i suppose. Perhaps water less because without leaves it will transpire less. I think the angled cut is a good idea. I wonder. Interesting what you said about the GE Light too. If you try it please would you let me know how you get on? Thanks. Mark

[@rocu4358]

Hey Mark, why do you not cut the main stem, is there a reason for it?

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

I could cut it but i leave it in the hope that it will get a head start in the spring. Mark

[@loissaylor2832]

Good job!jeff

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Thanks Jeff

[@neringag2472]

Thank you for video, very useful. I had red banana few years ago and kept in unheated greenhouse (I live in Cornwall ) , it did not survived . Last April i got another tiny one. This winter I will try to follow your instructions and overwinter properly. I love the way they look and couldn't resist and got one more today ( silly me ) . How old is your large banana plants ? And how long it takes to get to that size ? Thank you ! Happy gardening ! Neringa

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Hello Neringa. These were quite small when we bought them (around 45cm) four years ago. They are entering their 4th or 5th winter now. They do grow quickly if fed and watered. Sorry to hear that you lost yours. Good luck next time.

[@rocu4358]

What type of fertilizer do you feed them?

[@rret6885]

Doesn't the bag cause root rot?

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

It seems ok. Probably because we stopped watering completely and air can get around

[@stevesmith3850]

Hi,I bought 3 different banana trees 2 months ago tgere about 2ft to 3ft tall now,got them in large pots,iv brought mine into the house for over winter,just wanted to know if I m doing the right thing and will they live and continue to grow inside my house,I have a passage way which is cooler and darker jist not sure best place to put them

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Hi Steve. Are they all ensette maurelii?

[@stevesmith3850]

@@MarksHouseandGardenUK ones a basjoo,one has red leaves and other i cant remember name but the last word of it had double I at the end

[@larrydemonte2218]

Can I just bring it in doors?

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

I think you could try it. However, i think i read somewhere that if you try to keep it growing in lower light with central heating it can weaken the plant. They can also get infested with little flies. If you do try it please let me know how it works. Thanks. Mark

[@CountTrader]

You can make tamales with those leaves!

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Thanks Bill. I'm going to go away and google that now. Best wishes. Mark

[@sandrabeck8788]

No way could I lift that big root ball and wrestle it into another pot. Why cannot it just stay in the box?? Many gardeners are older women and do not have the physical strength to do this….im not saying ALL older women are dealing with this problem. So trolls,, settle down. But as a once strong woman who now is not able as I once was, this is simply not doable.

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Fair point Sandra. I'm just demonstrating what I do. But leaving it in the pot and moving the pot somewhere frost free is an option too.

[@cacogenicist]

Bananas are in the genus _Musa._ _Ensete_ are not bananas.

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Fair point. Technically you are correct . Although it is known as Abyssinian red banana . Thanks for watching and commenting . Mark

[@MF-xz2uq]

Why not just leave it large pot and put the pot on plant stand with wheels? That way, you can just trim the leaves and roll the pot to where you want it and not traumatize the roots by repotting twice a year.

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Yes that would be another good way of dealing with it I agree.

[@craigsmith7413]

Please can you come and do mine :-)

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

lol, how is yours doing?

[@craigsmith7413]

@@MarksHouseandGardenUK we shall be following your guide next weekend