Banana Fruit Tree
The banana fruit tree is not a real tree; it is the world's largest herbaceous plant. It is commonly referred to as a tree since it grows a tall pseudostem that is very similar to the stem of a small tree. The banana fruit tree hails from the tropics, but you can have banana trees in your garden even if you do not live in tropical parts of the globe. The key factor here is to choose the right species.
If you want to grow a cold tolerant ornamental plant, you can for instance pick the Japanese Fibre Banana since this plant is known to survive temperatures below -20 degrees F as long the rhizome (root) is protected by ample amounts of mulch. The foliage will naturally wither and decay during the winter, but the rhizome will send out new pseudostems each spring and you will be able to enjoy the tropical look of lush banana leaves throughout the summer season. A problem with the Japanese Fibre Banana is however that most people dislike the taste of the miniscule bananas. Those who want to be able to eat home grown bananas should therefore ideally look around for other options, e.g. the Orinoco Banana (Musa ‘Orinoco’) which is considered hardy in zone 8-10 (United States zones) and can survive in zone 7 with the help of some protection.
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If you want to grow a comparatively small banana fruit tree indoors, Musa acuminata 'Dwarf Cavendish' is normally the easiest specimen to come by in ordinary garden centres. If you want something more unusual you might have to order it online or ask your garden centre to order it for you. Musa acuminata 'Dwarf Cavendish' has a smooth-textured foliage and will produce edible fruits. Its early ancestors are believed to have grown in China, or possibly Japan. Our modern Musa acuminata 'Dwarf Cavendish' do not produce any seeds and the plant is instead propagated by rhizome division and suckers. This banana fruit tree can reach a height of 6-8 ft. (1.8-2.4 m) and the recommended spacing is 8-10 ft. (2.4-3 m). It should be placed in a spot where it will receive sun to partial shade and large amounts of strong light are important if you want your plant to thrive. The soil should be acidic, within the pH 5.6-6.5 range. Water your plant frequently and do not allow the soil to dry out between waterings. The normal bloom time for this banana fruit tree is mid summer and the flower is of a bright, yellow colour. If you have sensitive skin, you may suffer from skin irritation or allergic reactions after handling Musa acuminata 'Dwarf Cavendish'. The problem can be prevent by the use of garden gloves.
Musa acuminata 'Dwarf Cavendish' hardiness:
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6° C (20° F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8° C (25° F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1° C (30° F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7° C (35° F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5° C (40° F)
