Banana tree : Care and Growing ideas | Benefits of Banana tree
Banana tree
Banana trees are native to tropical regions of Southeast Asia and Africa. There are two varieties of banana tree; Musa acuminata (A) and Musa balbisiana (B). Both produce fruit throughout the year and are harvested for their edible fruits. These fruits are rich in potassium, copper, zinc, phosphorus, iron, vitamin C, folate and magnesium.
Fruit and leafy green bananas have been used since ancient times as medicinal herbs, food, or beverages. In some cultures they are considered sacred trees and are associated with fertility and immortality. Bananas have been known to cure diarrhoea and constipation, remove toxins from the body, treat skin conditions, relieve stomach pains, and help heal wounds and burns.
Today, many people use bananas in foods, drinks, cosmetics and medical treatments. Bananas are commonly added to smoothies, baked goods, cereal, protein shakes, snacks, juices, breads, soups, salads, desserts, cereals, yoghurt, pasta sauces, ice creams, and even pet food.
Bananas are high in potassium and low in sodium. In fact, they are the only fruit with a natural sodium content below 100 mg per serving.
A study found that women who ate at least 1/3 cup of bananas daily had a lower risk of breast cancer than those who did not eat any of them. Another study revealed that consuming 5-9 servings of bananas each week reduced your chance of developing colon cancer by 50%.
Research shows that bananas are a good source of fibre, vitamins B6 and E, magnesium, manganese, riboflavin, folic acid, niacin, pantothenic acid, thiamine, and vitamin K.
Banana tree's leaves are used to make tea or soup due to its high amount of vitamin C. Its flowers are used to make perfume and incense.
Banana trees are generally planted using seeds to begin growing. If you wish to start growing a banana tree yourself, look for a nursery or local seed bank that sells banana trees. You may need to wait 2 years before seeing fruit. However, if you want to avoid waiting, you could buy a mature banana tree from a nursery.
Care and Growing ideas
Fertiliser
Banana trees are capable of using nitrogenous fertilisers to assist them in their growth. If you want to get really fancy, you can even apply compost to your garden or plant bed. However, if you do not have access to fertiliser, water, and space for banana trees, then just adding some chicken manure to your soil will suffice. You should put about 1/10th to 1/8th of a cup of manure per square foot of planting area. Keep in mind that the higher the concentration of nitrogen, the greater the amount of fertiliser a banana tree requires.
Mulch
Mulching is a good way to help retain moisture in the soil and keep weeds at bay. When mulched, banana palms create a layer of organic matter that helps insulate the roots and prevents the decomposition of soil nutrients. Banana palm mulch also keeps the soil cooler. By surrounding the base of the trunk, you will prevent the spread of harmful fungi. Because it blocks sunlight, banana mulch is best applied in early spring before leafing begins.
Houseplant
The roots of banana palms can reach depths of 20 feet, making them ideal houseplants. This means they can withstand high temperatures, low humidity, and poor air circulation. In fact, some people prefer the smell of banana trees over others. To enjoy the aroma, place the plant in a sunny location with lots of airflow.
Culture
To keep banana trees producing fruit year after year, you need to culture them properly. Culturing involves taking care of the tree's environment before planting, while the tree is germinating, and once the tree is established.
Pests
If any insects start attacking banana trees, remove them immediately. Otherwise, the fruits could rot and cause disease.
Harvesting
Once the bananas become ripe, harvest them and eat them!
Bananas are a great addition to any garden. Banana trees make use of tropical climates and produce fruit year round. Fruit production starts off small and increases over time until it reaches maturity where it stops producing bananas at all. Bananas have a wide variety of uses including food and medicine. Here we take a look at some of the ways banana trees can help you out around the home.
Banana Tree Medicine
The sap of the banana palm contains many healing properties. Extractions can be used topically or ingested orally. The leaves of the banana plant contain tannins and alkaloids that aid in treating certain skin conditions and infections. The bark of the plant contains antibacterial compounds, while the flowers contain terpenes and phenolic compounds. There are currently no studies that prove whether or not these extracts are effective, but they might provide some relief to those suffering from anxiety or depression.
Use of banana tree in Indian tradition
In India, the habit of placing banana trees as decoration for special events at home is prevalent, because banana and mango leaves are used in special houses to increase the oxygen level.
