Ensete ventricosum 'Maurelii' syn. Ensete ventricosum 'Rubrum', Ensete 'Maurelii', Musa 'Santa Morelli'

Today I have done what I have been dreading….preparing my ensete for over wintering. It has given me so much pleasure this year. I just hope I have done it justice and can get it through the winter 🤞#ensete #overwintering #ensete-ventricosum #ensete-maurelli #ensetechallenge22

🤞🤞🤞

Thank Jane! @pelly

Fingers crossed 🤞🤞

🍌🍌🍌

Thank you Chris! @midnightgardener

Thank you Katy! There’s some debate on the best way to over winter Ensete. Dry store or just try to slow down it’s growth and encourage it to go into dormancy. Success rates are variable. I can but hope! @gjones

My pride and joy. I will be sad to have to put this to bed for the winter 😔 #foliagefriday #ensete-ventricosum-maurelli #ethiopian-banana #ajsept22

It’s been fabulous and something to look forward to next year 😍😍😍

Thank you. 🙂 It has been the highlight of my gardening year Jane. It has to be the best £7 I have ever spent! I expect it will be the highlight of my garden next year too, providing I can overwinter this beauty successfully 🤞🤞 @pelly

Of course you will 👍🥰

Fantastic.. I really need to get another here , lost mine when I moved 😥

It's a stunner

It's gorgeous Angela! 💘😍

Thank you Julie…You should definitely get another one. Did you leave it at your old house or did you actually lose it when you moved? @juliesgarden

Thanks Jason, it really has brought me so much pleasure this year 💕 @hebelover

Thank you so much Shelley 😀 x @ShelleySnyder

Absolutely my pleasure!💘😍

I lost it when we moved Angela , it was a very wet first winter, just rotted off 😕

Morning @vec this is the ensete. It’s trunk is 40cm in girth at the moment, height of trunk around 33cm & height with leaves approx 100cm #ensete #tropical #ajaug22

OMG what a beautiful plant thanks for sharing 😊

Thank you so much Elizabet! I’ve just left you a message on your post. Hope someone can help you identify your chilli plant 🌶🤞 @elizbet

Wow that's lovely 😍

Omg that is amazing Angela it looks as if it’s about to take off…..it can fly this way if it wants 😆👌🏼

Oh wow that’s a good size. I would be looking at dry storing that over winter

Thank you Angie, I must admit to having fallen in love with it 😍 @angiecrazycatlady

Lol..thanks Elaine….I shall be hanging on tightly if it dare try!! 😂 @wagsmomthompsonbtinternetcom

That’s great, thank you so much Jules 😀👍🏼 @vec

Wow! It's looking amazing. Doing so well, which can't be said about mine! 😏

Thanks Jeff! The one thing I’ve learnt is that they’re thirsty little devils. I don’t think you can overwater them. With potential hosepipe bans on the way, this might be its finest moment captured for posterity! 😅😆 I’m really pleased with it though. Sorry to hear you’re not too happy with yours. What’s been the challenge with your Ensete? @jeatacake

You've every right to be pleased with it. Lack of water hasn't been such a problem up here. I think the trouble has been everything around it growing taller & out-competing it for the light. It's definitely being banished to the allotment next year! 😄

Morning, looks like another sunny Saturday ☀️ My pride and joy is loving this weather. From tiny to a 40cm girth trunk in just 4 months 🫶 Swipe left to see what I mean #ensete #ensete-ventricosum-maurelli #ensete-ventricosum #ensetechallenge22 #ajaug22 #tropical

Hi Angela, that's looking great!! 👌

Hi Ange 👋 Thank you so much 😘 @anges

Wow, that looks amazing

Afternoon Angela, just wow 😍😍😍

Thanks Jason, I’m so chuffed with this. It’s the first thing I run out and check each morning 😆 @hebelover

Afternoon Jane 👋 and thank you 😊 I would definitely have more of these if it wasn’t for the challenge of overwintering! @pelly

Morning everyone and a very happy #foliagefriday #ensete #ensetechallenge22 #ensete-ventricosum #ensete-maurelii #ensete-maurelli #ensete-ventricosum-maurelli #enseteventricosummaurelii #ensetechallange22 #ensete-challenge22 #ensete-challenge22 #ensetechallange22 #ajjuly22 #shadow #tropical

Morning Angela. That’s a lorra lorra hashtags. Beautiful photo 📷

Morning Angela ❤️❤️

Lol…did I mention it’s an Ensete Jane? 😂🤣😂 @pelly

Afternoon Julie 👋 🥰 @juliesgarden

Oh I don't know....did you? 😂😂😂

If I repeat it often enough, I shouldn’t forget! 😂🤣😂 @pelly

😂😂😂

Morning everyone. My Monday motivation….the first thing I rush out to check on progress each morning. Swipe back to 22nd April to see growth. #ensete-ventricosum #ensete-ventricosum #ensete-maurelii #ensete-maurelli #ensete-challenge22 #ensete-challange22 #ensete-ventricosum-maurelli #ensetechallenge22 #ensetechallange22 #enseteventricosummaurelii #ajjuly22

It's looking great Angela 😍😍😍

Fabulous Angela 🍌🍌

Thank you, I’m so pleased with its progress as this is the first season of growth since I bought it for £7 in a sale at the end of last season. It looked pretty sad back then @pelly @juliesgarden

Good morning Angela it’s lovely 🤗

Morning, it looks very healthy👍

Looks great

R u bringing that in for the winter time

Morning and thank you Enid…I just love this banana tree! 🍌 @godfreye

Morning Celina 👋 I am so surprised and delighted at just how well it is doing @cee

Morning and thank you Jason, I’m really delighted with how this is doing. It adds a bit of a tropical vibe 😀 @hebelover

Yes I shall be digging it up, cutting all the leaves off & dry storing it Kelsey @kelsey92

Morning everyone…A slightly different perspective as the new leaf unfurls #foliagefriday #ensete #ensete-ventricosum-maurelli #ensete-ventricosum #ensetechallenge22 #ethiopian-banana #tropical #ajjuly22

Beautiful photo Angela, it looks like it's on fire ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥

Morning Angela, great angle! 👍 😃❤

Morning Angela.. gorgeous colours ❤️💛

It really does Jane! 🔥🔥🔥 @pelly

Thank you, I am so in love with this ensete 🔥🔥🔥 @anges @juliesgarden

What’s not to love ❤️

Good morning Angela that’s so beautiful 🧡💛🧡💛

Beautiful vibrant colours ♥️💛

Evening Enid 👋 and thank you! Hope you’ve had a good day! 😀 @godfreye

Evening Diane 👋 It’s certainly vibrant! 🔥🔥 @hkyfvr

Evening Angela. It really is. 🧡💛

Apologies in advance but I think I may end up boring you all witless over the coming months, I am so taken with this #ensete I can’t help myself! #ensete-maurelli #ethiopian-banana #ensetechallenge22 #foliagefriday #bananatree #ajjuly22

They are amazing how quickly they grow🤗

Wow . Fine by me 🍌🍌

They really do Enid. I’ve been quite surprised myself. This is throwing out a new leaf every week and boy do they grow big very quickly! @godfreye

Aww, thank you Julie 😊🙏 @juliesgarden

Well it is foliage Friday so you're allowed 😂💚❤️

I'm a little jealous this looks nice and healthy. Your right they do grow very fast. Great looking plants at their best when back-lit by the sun they glow red😍

It's looking fantastic 👌 I think you've won the challenge already by the look of it👏

😂 I’m not bored, I’m jealous 😵‍💫

Thanks…You’re so right Alan…they are amazing when the sun backlights the leaves. Something special! 👌 @alan1111

Aww, that’s really kind of you Jeff! Early days yet though. We’ve still got the whole summer ahead and it’s not always the rabbit that wins the race! 😉 @jeatacake

Aww, thank you so much Phil…let’s see how you feel 2 months from now! 😉😂 @philstalder

Love the #contrast on the #foliage of this #ensete 💚♥️ #ensete-maurelli #ethiopian-banana #unfurling

Gorgeous

It's looking really good 👍 Way better than mine.

I got one

Thank you Jason, I find the markings on this one fascinating, plus there’s the added thrill of how fast it grows 🤩 @hebelover

Thanks Jeff. I started acclimatising mine back in April which may have given it a bit of a head start. How’s your doing? @jeatacake

Lovely aren’t they Kelsey?! Just for a bit of fun a few of us are having an Ensete challenge…it’s fun to see how they grow and share tips. You’d be most welcome to join us! @kelsey92 @jeatacake @davewrightjoinerygooglemail.co

Mine seems to have gone on strike since it went outside! It's produced one new leave since then, which still hasn't fully unfurled. I think I've upset it by moving it from where it was happy - in the greenhouse! 🥴

I will post mine tonight. And I will tag u. In the comment

That’s a shame Jeff! Did you try acclimatising it by moving it outside for a few hours each day then putting it back in the greenhouse? I’ve been giving mine loads of water and using Tomorite feed once a week. Don’t know if that might help possibly? I understand chicken pellets are really good too 🤔 @jeatacake

Look forward to seeing it Kelsey! 😀👍🏼 @kelsey92

Well you've definitely pinpointed 2 areas where I've gone wrong! No hardening off. I just planted it out once we got into a spell of warm weather. Also, I've not fed it either, so that's me at the bottom of the class! 🤪

Another new leaf on its way #foliagefriday #ensete-maurelli #ethiopian-banana #ajmay #ensetechallange22 #ensetechallenge22

Fabulous ❤️💚❤️💚

Morning ❤💚 Very striking foliage

Thank you…it seems to be generating a new leaf a week at the moment. Just love checking on this each day ♥️💚♥️💚 @juliesgarden @hebelover

😢 reminds me of mine. Left at old house, im@so wishing now that I bought it with me. Yours is stunning

Thanks Caroline…must be so hard deciding what to take and what to leave when you move. You’ll have to do a dawn raid! @Cazx

Fantastic leaf patterns ❤💚❤

Beautiful 🤗

Thank you Jane & Enid 💚♥️💚♥️ @pelly @godfreye

I’m so tempted I can tell you lol @italydiva

Definitely enjoying the warm weather & being out in the fresh air 👍

It certainly is Jeff…it’s the first thing I run out and check each morning. Can’t tell you how excited I get with each new leaf 😂 @jeatacake

The forecast says no more frost, so I’ve taken the plunge and planted my #ensete-ventricosum-maurelli into a large planter today (6.5.22) Height 10.5 inches / 27cm. So….let’s see how it grows this season. My first full season, so here we go! 🤞#ensetechallenge22 @jeatacake Anyone else up for a bit of fun, please feel free to join in 😀 #foliagefriday #ajmay

If I had one I’d happily join in 😢

Never say never Barbara…it’s amazing what unexpected additions find their way into your garden 🪴 😉 @jacaranda

Very true! 😂😂

It's looking happy in its new spot 👍

So far, so good Jeff! 🤞 @jeatacake

Is this a type of banana? I won't be part of this challenge but it's got great color. Oh duh, it says banana!

Lol…Impressive that you recognised it anyway Leslie! The leaves are a lovely colour. Can’t wait for it to grow. Sadly there won’t be any bananas though 🍌 🍌🍌 @lesliecole49

Just love these leaves #ensete #foliage #foliagefriday #red #green #unfurling

Burgundy and lime green a fabulous combination 👌🏼

Gorgeous foliage

Oh wow 🤩

Thanks…I love the glossiness of the foliage as well as it’s colour @hebelover @juliesgarden

The leaves are almost waxy like the begonias of that name 👍

They are very similar Jeff 👍🏼 @jeatacake

Until they put on a growth spurt! 🍌

Very true…first year growing this Jeff so hoping it will get a real spurt on! 🤞😆 @jeatacake

I beleive yours is the hardiest variety for the UK. Mine, an Ethiopian variety, seemed to survive well over winter in the greenhouse (unheated) & is now starting to get going. Hoping to plant it outside by the end of May.

Good to know it is one of the hardier varieties…it will need it with me! 😅 I bought mine around September time in a sale and overwintered it in a coldframe. Wasn’t sure it would survive but was really pleased it did. Looking to put mine in a very large pot this year. I keep popping it out in the garden during the day, then bringing it into the house at night. Can’t wait to plant it outside! Love seeing the leaves unfurl! Look forward to seeing yours in all its glory 😀 @jeatacake

Definitely hardy if it survived so well in a cold frame. Do you have a greenhouse to put it next winter? Like mine, I expect it will have grown a lot over the summer and autumn. That's when having space for it next winter can become a problem. It might have to be something brutal such as what Monty Don does with his over winter! Once I've got mine planted outside, I'll definitely post a photo 👍

So pleased to have overwintered this successfully. Hoping for BIG things this year 🤞🌴 #ensete-ventricosum-maurelli #foliagefriday

Good luck 👍

I overwintered my small banana too and it's doing great. I repotted it yesterday. I can't wait to see it grow and get its red marking back

That’s great I love the leaves….

Thanks Jane! 😊🤞 @pelly

This will be the first year I’ve endeavoured to grow this as I bought it in a sale late in the season last year. It was rather sad and bedraggled looking but it’s looking promising so far. The leaves are beautiful, I love the red colouring. Hopefully won’t be long before the colour deepens on yours too Heather. ❤️💚❤️ @pelly @heatherdirtyhands @wagsmomthompsonbtinternetcom