Ae Ae culture

Q.   I'm interested in trying to grow the beautiful exotic Ae Ae banana in the Central Valley of California (near Sacramento) which has hot dry summers and freezing temperatures in the winter (USDA zone 9). I can provide some frost protection, but am wondering if the dry summer weather would be even more of a challenge. Do I have a reasonable chance for success in growing Ae Ae? If so, suggestions or cultural tips would be greatly appreciated. Harvey
A.     Most Ae Ae growers that have been successful in conditions like yours have large green houses.They wind up spending more money then the normal grower would care to spend. One evening of a light frost would brown all of the leaves. If it was well established it might survive one or two nights. If the plant survived and was near flowering condition, when it started to grow it would not have enough leaves to regain vigor and the fruit would not have the energy to mature. Dry weather would be deadly. Find some banana growers near you and see what is surviving. The Ae Ae is spectacular and so are tulips, but I will not try to grow tulips in south Florida.
The Ae Ae album

March 1 2008

Q. Hello I do have a question about the musa AeAe. In a few days I will become a AeAe, a dream comes true.. I want to take care of it very well and enjoy it for a very very long time...My question is can you tell me something about how to take care? From other Aeae owners I heard that it needs special ground with PH from 6 or lower? Kind regards esther (Netherlands)

A. My knowledge comes from growing in a naturally warm area. I grow in full sun and my soil is mainly sandy and alkaline. I would say that you should keep your pup warm in as bright a place that is possible. If you could send me a picture of your pup I can post it here and then we can all watch it grow. Maybe you can help people in temperate areas. But I can warn you on one thing - starting a pup is difficult for most people. I would never start a pup in cold weather. I hope the the plant that you get is already established in a pot.

Esther sent two pictures June 29 08. It doesn't get any better then this.

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I've been reading your posts on this wonderful idea and noticed that in one recent post, you commented that you had harvested 3 pups 5 weeks ago and only now, are they showing signs of growth. I just harvested two of my Ae Ae pups. One was a sword pup between 3 and 4 feet with beautiful variegation. It stalled for a week but is now growing but at a very slow pace. The other pup was harvested about 10 days later and is an umbrella pup about the same height. No growth yet. I have 3 more sword pups approaching 12 inches that I would like to take before the onset of winter. Thanks, Steve

Q. Is it normal for a pup to take 5 weeks to begin growing?
A. The first pup in June took 4 weeks. The next 3 pups in mid July took 5 weeks(one pup was planted directly into the garden). What surprised me was that the three pups all started fast growth at the same time.
Q. How often do you water the harvested pups and do you feed them any root stimulator or treat with a fungicide upon harvest?
A. I water only if it is really dry. Too much water might cause fungus. I have never used a root stimulator, but I did give potassium nitrate to the mother Ae Ae in May.
Q. What is the shortest height you've taken a pup?
A. I like the sword pup to have some small leaves and the usually at 2 to 4 feet. I would not take a pup this late in the season because I want them to have hot weather for at least two months..
Remember that all of your Ae Ae's must be in good condition when cool weather begins.

Sept. 6 2008

Q. What do you do if a hurricane is coming. We have had one close one and now Ike looks bad.
David Key Largo Fl.

A. Trim the leaves and the plants will have a better chance of not falling over.

Trimming the leaves started

Trimming the leaves finished

The flower bud appeared the day before I trimmed the leaves.

The bud would take too much from the mother and pups would have a hard time forming. Now I have a chance to get a few pups for next year.