I’m used to sharing Queenslander-style houses with a variety of wildlife, but snakes are new. Last night I was surprised by a two-metre long python on the back veranda, which hung around for a few minutes then disappeared back into the roof cavity.
I’m guessing this is why the possums have not been bothering us for the last week.
It’s the time of year for gorgeous winter vegetables. They’re getting close to harvest, but have a little bit of growing to do yet.
Green Cabbage
Red Raddichio
Banana
Musa spp.
Origin: Native to tropical South-east Asia.
Description: The banana is a perennial tall and upright herb – not a tree – that grows from a corm to 2 – 4 metres in height, and has large soft, flat leaves growing from the central stem.
Varieties: Ladyfinger, Goldfinger, Blue Java, Ducasse and Dwarf Ducasse, Bluggoe (a cooking banana or plantain), and Pisang Ceylan are the only varieties that are permitted to be grown in home gardens in Queensland. Cavendish is commercially grown.
Propagation: Suckers, the offshoot from a parent plant, are usually used to grow a new banana. Suckers should be taken from vigorous banana plants, have small, sword shaped leaves and be around four feet high. A ‘bit’ or piece of the underground parent plant rhizome with a mature bud can also be planted. Permission from the DPI is required to plant bananas in residential areas.
Cultivation:
Soil: Prefers deep, well-drained soils, very rich in organic matter. Likes plenty of water but does not tolerate waterlogged roots. Mounding is a good idea to improve drainage.
Climate: Best in tropical climates but will also grow in the warm sub-tropics. Ideal temperate range is 26 – 30 degrees C.
Spacing: 3 – 5 metres. Planting in a block rather than alone is recommended.
Mulching: Thick mulch is recommended.
Fertilising: Needs lots of fertiliser. DPI recommends a complete fertiliser with an analysis of approximately 10% nitrogen, 2% phosphorus and 22% potassium.
Pruning: Dead leaves should be removed regularly. Unwanted suckers should be removed for bigger fruit.
Flowering and pollination: The plant usually flowers at 6 – 12 months. Flowers are purple and conical, and grow from the middle of the plant. No pollination required.
Harvest Period: All year round in warmer climates.
Pests and Diseases: Banana bunch top which is spread by aphids; Panama disease (or fusarium wilt); and black Sigatoka, a leaf spot diseases are major diseases in Queensland. Planting disease-free suckers is a major way of preventing these diseases, and removing affected leaves helps control leaf spot. Birds and possums can also be predators on ripening fruit.
Edible Parts: The fruit has thick outer (inedible) skin with creamy, soft, edible flesh with no seeds, and grows in hanging clusters of up to 20 fruit to a hand and up to 20 hands in a bunch.
Other Uses: Leaves can be used as food plates or wrapping; leaves and shoot are a source of fibre for textiles or paper.
Nutrition: Nutritious fruit contains vitamin B6, vitamin C, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and iron. Low in fat, rich in fibre and low in calories.