Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[Charlottechicken]

Is anyone growing a banana plant outside? Or anything else supposedly too exotic for these shores.

 

I rather like the idea of a banana plant although I believe you have to be pretty lucky to get fruit off them, but it's not impossible

 

If you have got a really exotic plant outside in your garden, please share your experiences!

[Jaime]

There is a place in north west Scotland that grows Bananas in a home made green house. The place is http://www.thehydroponicum.com/ fascinating to visit.

[Chicken Licken]

I am attempting a melon. 2 out of 4 seeds germinated. My one is very sickly and I gave the slightly sturdier one to my sister. It is in a grow bag and if the packet is telling the truth should take off and start to produce fruit!!

[Christian]

Hi CC!

 

I grew a banana plant in my old garden. It grew to 10ft tall!

 

I had to wrap it up in the winter (cut off the leaves and wrap it in a double layer of fleece with straw in between). It looked fab and was worth the faff wrapping it every winter. The leaves uncurl and are HUGE!

 

the best variety for the uk is MUSA BASJOO a Japenese banana. I didnt get any fruit from it as its non edible, but still looked great.

 

Most garden centres sell it.

[craftyhunnypie]

Hiya - both me & my mum are growing cantaloupe melons. Mines a bit weak, but mums is in flower and ready to fruit with loads of tendrils! I'm a bit miffed really. Oh well at least my spring onions are delicious!

 

Emma.x

[Martin B]

I have 3 melon plants in my green house.

[myles]

Hi I have a banana here in the Peak District. Yes they do need wrapping, having said that I forgot mine last winter and seem to have got away with it .

Wrapping plants is a bit of a drag, I also have large agave's outside they take careful wrapping due to the spikes

 

Give a banana a go they only cost about a tenner and look fantastic, no chance of fruit though if kept outside and up North

 

Anne

[Charlottechicken]

Thanks for the replies guys!

 

I really wanted a banana with fruit on so I will have to think of something else to try. I have some organic lemon pips, wonder if I can get some to germinate, and where will I put it

 

Christian, didn't you want to take your banana plant with you to your new home?

 

Melons sound good though . Those of you growing them please let the rest of us know how you get on.

[Christian]

Christian, didn't you want to take your banana plant with you to your new home?

 

No, the main stem was as think as a telegraph pole with 4 'babies' as thick as my leg! Really wanted to take it with me but couldn't

[myles]

Hi, what about trying a pineapple. Just cut off the top and away it goes, (like carrot tops) I think they take about three years to fruit. Not hardy I kept mine in an unheated conservatory. Mine never fruited I got it to damp one winter and it rotted They make a handsome plants too.

 

Anne