The tree that I am going to present to you below has surely been found at some time walking through the streets of your town or city, as it is a very resistant and adaptable species that, in addition, gives very good shade. In fact, it is known as shadow banana It is a plant that in a few years of cultivation will protect anyone who wants it from the sun.
But, if as urban flora it looks wonderful, Why not plant it in the garden too?
The shade plantain is a genus of fast growing deciduous trees, so if you are in a hurry to get your garden to begin to take shape, these trees are undoubtedly for you. They reach a height of about 40 meters if the growing conditions are the most optimal, but the truth is that specimens of more than 15-20m are not usually seen.
It is interesting to also highlight its life expectancy: they can live up to 300 years. There is nothing!
In cultivation they are not demanding, since they can grow in all types of terrain as long as they have plenty of direct light -preferably throughout the day-, and humidity during the first year of planting (from the second and third year, the waterings can be increasingly spaced so that it adapts to the weather conditions of the area).
Dry, weak and / or diseased branches should be pruned in early spring, before their buds wake up again, as is sensitive to powdery mildew. To prevent the fungus from affecting it, it is recommended to do preventive treatments with sulfur from spring to late summer, or early fall if you live in a mild climate.
The shade plantain supports a wide range of temperatures, between a maximum of 40ºC and a minimum of -7ºC. So that, you won’t have to worry about the cold . Yes, important, plant it at a minimum distance of 3m from the groundAlthough it is not a tree that has invasive roots, it could lift the concrete if it is too close.
Otherwise, the shadow banana will give you many satisfactions. What do you think?
