Musa basjoo - Japanese Banana

Planting Advice for Banana Musa basjoo:

• When growing outdoors, choose a site that is sheltered from the wind both for winter protection and also to prevent leaves being shredded.
• Plant in late spring, in a well-drained soil, that has been enriched with plenty of organic matter.
• Once plants are established, water and feed generously through the summer as they are greedy feeders.
• Musa basjoo, can be left in situ over winter, although we do recommend that plants are wrapped to protect from cold weather.
• If this is not an option for you, then they can be grown in a large pot and moved under cover after the first frost has blackened the leaves.

When growing bananas in containers:

• Grow in a soil-based compost, such as John Innes No. 3 with extra grit added to improve drainage.
• Container-grown plants need ample watering during spring and summer months plus a weekly feed during the spring and summer with a general-purpose liquid feed, or a controlled-release fertiliser.
• In autumn, over winter plants in a frost-free greenhouse or conservatory and reduce watering and feeding - watering only when on the dry side in winter.

Aftercare Advice for your Hardy Banana Musa:

• Pot on in spring either once a year, or every other year. Increase pot size by 5-7.5cm (2-3in) initially then once established in 30cm (10in) pots, increase size by 10-15cm (4-6 inches) every two to three years.
• Pleasenote, in winter the leaves will die back and turn brown, but will re-grow the following spring, so don't panic!

Pruning Advice for Japanese Banana

• Little pruning is needed. Just cut away old leaves near their base and, when wrapping up plants outdoors for winter, some stems may need to be cut back.