Ravenala madagascariensis

Germination

Sow under glass at any time. Prior to sowing soak seeds in hot water, 50°C, for 30 minutes. Sow into a sandy, moist but well-drained seed compost and place in a zip lock style bag. Ideal day temp. 22-26°C, allow night temp. to drop to 18-22°C. Keep soil moist. Germination should be fairly easy. Germination rates may be improved by the use of a smoke treatment. Transplant seedlings when large enough to handle to individual pots. Grow on under glass. Only move outside in warm weather.

Growing

This plant can grow very tall, 27M, in the wild, in the UK it will be a modest shrub. Ideal for container planting or the greenhouse border. It prefers full sun once the plant is established. Prefers a moist, rich, sandy-loamy-clay soil. Prefers moderate water and a high nitrogen fertiliser in the growing season. Do not allow to dry out between waterings. Requires frost-free protection.

Cultivation

In ideal conditions will self-seed freely. To collect seeds allow seed pods to dry on the plant, then break open to collect the seed. The lower leaves will die off with age causing a trunk to form.