Banana plants come from the tropics, where it is warm and sunny all year round. That's why the exotic plants need a comparable climate here too. Especially if you want fruit, you should cultivate the plant warm all year round.
Can you care for a banana plant in a greenhouse?
Depending on the type and variety, banana plants can also be cultivated in a greenhouse. This is especially true for theheat-loving banana speciessuch as the Dwarf Cavendish, because they only form ripefruits if the ripening phase islong enoughoff.
How big should the greenhouse for the banana plant be?
Many banana plants can reach heightsof up to five metersand more - the greenhouse should be correspondingly high to accommodate these species. However, this not only includes the height, butalso the width: The sprawling fronds must have plenty of space and must not bump into anything or be squeezed anywhere.
If you only own a small greenhouse, you can opt for adwarf bananalike the 'Dwarf Cavendish'. This variety grows to around 150 centimeters high and just as wide. As a plus point, it develops edible fruits with appropriate care.
What climate do banana plants need in the greenhouse?
Banana plants feel comfortable in awell-tempered greenhouse especially when
- the temperature is between 21 and 26 °C all year round
- the humidity is constantly at more than 50 percent
- the soil is always slightly moist, nutrient-rich and well-drained
With the exception of the hardy species - which include the Japanese fiber banana (Musa basjoo) and the Darjeeling banana (Musa sikkimensis 'Red Tiger') - bananas should be kept warm over the winter. That's why the greenhouse should beheated in winter. The frost-hardy bananas mentioned, on the other hand, have to overwinter in a cool place.
What should you pay attention to when caring for the greenhouse?
When caring for the banana plant in the greenhouse, make sure that youventilate regularly- Heat and humidity must not build up, otherwise there is a risk of fungal and other diseases. Even in summer, heat should not accumulate in the greenhouse; regular ventilation is particularly important here. However, the banana plant should, if possible,not be in a draft. In winter, cold air must not get into the greenhouse, which is why you have to ensureair exchange in other ways.
Can you overwinter a banana plant in a greenhouse?
If the greenhouse is not or only slightly heated, you can also use it forcool overwintering of the banana plant. Here the plant is protected from cold, wet and other adverse weather conditions. However, the temperature should be constant at five to ten degrees Celsius.
Tip
How long does it take a banana plant to bear bananas?
As a rule, bananas only bloom and fruit if the vegetation phase is long enough - which it definitely isn't in Germany. Therefore, if you want to harvest fruit, you have to artificially extend the summer all year round. For fruit bananas, the period between planting and harvesting takes about six years.
