It is considered decorative and exotic, but has nothing to do with a banana at all: the Indian banana or Paupau (bot. Asimina triloba). The hardy annonaceae is more closely related to the papaya and has unfortunately rarely been found in home gardens.
When is an Indian banana fully grown?
It easily takes10 to 15 years for an Indian banana to fully grow. After all, it only grows about 30 centimeters per year. In this country, the Indian banana grows as a large shrub about three to five meters high or as a tree about five to six meters high.
How big can an Indian banana get?
In North America, where the Indian banana is native, it grows up to around 13 meters high, depending on the variety. The Pawpaw, as the plant is also called, grows like a bush or tree. In Germany, a size of around three to five meters can be expected for a shrub-like growth or five to six meters for a tree. An Indian banana rarely grows up to eight meters high, most likely in the mild climate of a wine-growing region.
Does the Indian banana grow quickly?
The Indian banana is one of theslow-growing plants. It increases in height by around 30 centimeters per year. What is particularly noticeable is the long germination time of the seeds. At around 60 days, it puts a considerable strain on the gardener's patience, especially since it still takes several weeks until the first above-ground parts of the plant can be seen.
How much space does a fully grown Indian banana need?
A fully grown Indian banana reaches a growth width of around two to two and a half meters, so it requiresa relatively large amount of space Due to its impressive appearance, it is best planted as a solitary plant. Then the magnificent bell-shaped flowers and the yellow autumn leaves really come into their own. The Indian banana prefers a sunny location without waterlogging.
When does an Indian banana bear fruit?
Not only the cultivation, but also the harvesting of the Indian banana requires a lot of patience. Only in thethird or fourth year of life do the first isolated fruits appear. But patience pays off. A ten-year-old Indian banana can produce more than 15 kilograms of edible fruit. However, this requires a suitable location with sufficient moisture and sun as well as good care.
Tip
Quite attractive: cultivating the Indian banana in a bucket
Although an Indian banana does not reach the maximum possible size in a pot, it still develops into an attractive plant. On the one hand, keeping it in a pot gives you the opportunity to keep growth under control, and on the other hand, you can also enjoy the attractive view on the balcony. But be careful: unfortunately the flowers don't smell as pleasant as they look!
