Large perennial herbaceous plant Ensete ventricosum 'Maureli' (Ensete ventricosum 'Maurelii') is native to East Africa. It is commonly known as red-leaf Elephant's leg and is a cultivated species of the genus Ensete ventricosum of the Musa family. It has lotus-like inflorescences with interesting shapes and huge leaves. The leaf colors vary and are charming throughout the growth period. For example, in the early stages of planting, the leaves are red and green. As the light intensity increases, the red color deepens. Especially when exposed to direct sunlight and the temperature is suitable, the stems will also turn red, and the leaves will turn purple-red or even black, showing Black gold with metallic sheen.
‘Maurili’ leaves are full of metallic luster
When planted on the ground, the plant can reach a height of 4 meters, forming a forest alone, or planted alone or in groups in gardens or courtyards to create a spectacular tropical style. Although it is highly sensitive to the growth environment and its young plants are relatively tender, as a tropical plant with outstanding characteristics and high ornamental value, 'Maurili' has attracted the attention and favor of more and more gardening enthusiasts. At the same time, Elephant Leg Banana has medicinal value. The "guiki" in Dai medicine refers to the roots and stems of Elephant Leg Jiao. Its juice can be used to treat swelling all over the body and has the effects of astringing and stopping bleeding.
Potted Elephant Leg Banana 'Maoli'
It is worth mentioning that 'Maoli' is a relatively cold-resistant variety in the Musa family and can withstand minus 5°C. Under low temperature conditions, you can use horticultural straw mats with good thermal insulation effect to wrap the stems, and cover the root system with fully rotted fertilizer or compost. In the Yangtze River Delta, you can basically spend the winter in the open air.
Of course, in order to handle them safely, they can be cut down or dug out in autumn, transplanted into flower pots, and moved indoors for maintenance until the next spring. Regardless of the overwintering method, Elephant Leg Banana 'Maurili' will not resume growth until late spring of the following year.
In terms of production and cultivation, the suitable growth temperature of 'Maolili' is 25℃ to 30℃. It likes moist, sunny, deep, fertile and well-drained slightly acidic soil. It also likes water and needs regular watering every two weeks. It is advisable to apply a nitrogen-rich fertilizer once and loosen the soil. During the peak growing season (May to July), 'Maurili' leafs out very quickly and becomes the focus of the garden in a short period of time. Because its leaves have parallel veins and a loose structure, they are easily blown apart by strong winds. Pay special attention to blocking the wind to avoid damaging the blades and affecting the viewing effect.
Through tissue culture, the large-scale propagation of Elephant Leg Banana 'Maurili' has neat and uniform seedlings.
In terms of seedling propagation, most Musa plants grow in clusters and have small seedlings at their roots, so they can be propagated by division. However, elephant-legged bananas generally grow as a single plant. When they bloom and bear fruit or even end their lifespan, new seedlings will not sprout from the roots, so seeds or tissue culture must be used for propagation. Therefore, there is no precedent for Elephant Leg Banana ‘Maorili’ to flower and set seeds in China, and the seedlings have always been imported, resulting in high prices.
It is understood that after various efforts, relevant domestic scientific research institutions have now solved its breeding problems, and high-quality seedlings are being supplied to the domestic market. I believe that in the near future, Elephant Leg Banana 'Maolili' will appear more in everyone's field of vision. middle.
(Written by Zhang Qiang, pictures provided by Li Yajun and Li Ping)
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