Banana

In the London Parks, Musas, especially the smaller ones, are often plunged in the ground in their pots during the summer, but the larger ones are planted out. When they are lifted in autumn, those in pots are stored in houses, but the larger ones are lifted with small balls of earth and placed on shelves in houses with a temperature of not less than 45 degrees. Here they are laid on their sides, their leaves being kept close together, and remain throughout the winter, with only a mat thrown over the roots.

In February the roots are examined, planted in trenches, and subjected to an increased temperature, when new roots soon form and begin to grow afresh. In June, after being gradually hardened, the leaves are tied up, the plants are lifted with as good balls as possible, and placed in their summer quarters.

M. Ensete is the kind generally used in the open air, and in form is one of the noblest plants. Any one with a warm house may grow it, and when planted out in June, in deep, warm, rich soil, and a sheltered position, it will grow well during summer; such, at least, is our experience in London and the home counties, but such tender plants must ever have a limited use in England. M. Basjoo, a graceful Japanese species that has some pretensions to hardiness, has been tried as a plant for the open, but it is not hardy enough for our winters except in the south.