I have never grown one of those banana's Robert but plenty of Lady fingers up north, bad soil here. Do they fruit or are they a ornmental And you are right about the mulch you get so much from one plant when you chop them down it is certainly a wonderful moist bonus.

Will it be like the lady fingers and still pop up new shoots if there is just the smallest piece of sucker left in the ground or not?????

MM.

Misty, Ensete ventricosum is an ornamental and tends not to have edible Bananas. They very rarely grow from side shoots but the seed is quite easy to germinate.

They grow much bigger than fruiting Bananas and have a distinct red midrib in the leaves. They can grow to over ten metres high.

Sounds good to me I am after shade but dont want more huge trees, where do you buy the seeds,
I may have a go at growing it if I can get some as I like the banana, its has lovely leaves.
Thanks for that.....MM.

Where can I get seeds of this? I used to grow it in Cornwall in the UK and it did well there despite to temps down to 0.

I have no idea where to purchase seeds. It is sold as a plant in pots in the Sydney region. I have cut mine down before it seeded, otherwise I would be able to send some.

Hi MM - Unfortunately ornamental banannas are not allowed in Qld.

They do look nice though.

regards,

Yes I do know that Scott, I had already looked it up on the DPI site.
And found it was not on that list of seven, but thanks anyway....MM

Lee.......
Abyssinian Banana used to be readily available in Perth nurseries up till about 5 years ago. I have been searching for one that long. I don't know why they are no longer available, but I guess it's just the same old story of the 'growers' only growing what the landscapers want. They grow really well in Mandurah.....about an hour south of Perth.
Gail

Hi MM,
I am interested in the 'List of seven' and what it says as according to the following URL 'http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/business/8377.html' all ornamental bananas are illegal in QLD. Are you sure that the 'list of seven' is not the limit of what is not allowed to be grown or is it just an example? Either way I am interested as to what the DPI is saying.

regards,

Scott

I have grown Abyssinian banana palms for over 20 years in WA and have grown them from seed,which are hard to come by but I have some now from and old palm about 18years old which I planted in my old address. I just planted about 200 seeds in Waroona WA I don't remember how long they take to germinate.You have to wait ten years usually to get seeds from them,so the shortage,Also I need some named carnations that are hard to come by anyone help me please ? I need bright red,white,cream,mauve,I have about 7 good colours.Basa

I also need to know how to germinate Paw Paw seeds a better way any suggestions? I live in WA and have grown Paw Paws for over 30 years but seeds are spasmodic ingerminating. BASA

I also need to know how to germinate Paw Paw seeds a better way any suggestions? I live in WA and have grown Paw Paws for over 30 years but seeds are spasmodic ingerminating. BASA

I also need to know how to germinate Paw Paw seeds a better way any suggestions? I live in WA and have grown Paw Paws for over 30 years but seeds are spasmodic ingerminating. BASA

Hi Gail

I managed to get Ensete seeds off ebay. Ive had a 1st batch of 30 seeds with about half that germinating so far.
I would like to know why arent we 'allowed' to grow ornamental Musa species/cvs in WA (I mean temperate WA, not the tropics)?

I mean how can an ornamental banana be a threat? FFS, they struggle to throw up pups or seed sometimes!

Hi Gail,

You can buy them from Palms & Plants Galore in wattleup (between Freo and Rockingham). I think theyre about $20 for a 300mm pot but they might have gone up and there are bigger ones there too (well last time I looked). I dont grow it, all our space has gone to edible varieties however i would love to track down a Musa velutina!

Hi Adam

What tropicals do you grow mate?
Im trying Heliconias, Ensete, the blood banana, gingers and cannas.

Hi David

I would love some Abyssinian Banana seeds if you have any left. Please let me know. Thanks

David. Any seeds left over? I know this was over 2 years ago now but no harm in asking.

I'm also in Adelaide

Hi David all so chasing seeds would love some if any available. I live in NSW

Thanks Jenny

I am looking for some Abyssinian banana Palm trees or if not then seeds. I live in WA? Can anyone Help please.