Musa Dwarf Cavendish

  • Other common names banana 'Dwarf Cavendish'

  • Family Musaceae

  • Genus Musa are suckering evergreen perennials with very large, paddle-shaped leaves whose stalk-bases form a false stem, and clusters of tubular flowers with colourful bracts, followed by edible cylindrical fruits

  • Details 'Dwarf Cavendish' is an evergreen perennial to 3m tall, with oblong leaves to 1.2m long; drooping spikes of yellow flowers with purple bracts open sporadically through the year, followed by edible yellow fruit

How to grow

 

Cultivation As a summer bedding plant, grow in humus-rich soil in a sheltered position in full sun. In a container, use John Innes No 3 and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser monthly. At the end of the season, pot up to overwinter under cover or protect in situ with straw and chicken wire. Keep just moist in winter

Propagation Propagate by seed as soon as ripe at 21-24°C (70-75°F). Pre-soak spring-sown seed for 24 hours . Separate suckers in early spring, removing older leaves. Divide established clumps every 5 years

Suggested planting locations and garden types Patio & Container Plants

 

How to care

 

Pruning Under glass, none required. Outside, cut away old leaves at end of season

Pests Glasshouse red spider mite, mealybugs and aphids may be troublesome, especially under glass

Diseases Usually trouble free