Mona Lisa Banana (Musa)

Honduran hybrid dessert banana. Vigorous and strong grower up to 3.5 high with partially red pseudostems. Suitable for NZ climate, excellent tasting, sweet and tangy.  3 - 3.5 m high. More cold and wind tolerant and produces higher quality fruit in sub-tropical conditions. Highly recommended and well suited to growing in NZ in warmer frost free areas. 

Plant is from water suckers so will fruit even faster than pups. 

Small - to 0.5m
Medium - up to 1m
Large -1-1.5m
X Large - 1.5m +

Plant Care

• Watering: Maintain consistent moisture, watering deeply especially in warmer months. Reduce watering in cooler months.
• Temperature: Best between 26°C and 30°C. Bananas are not frost-tolerant and require protection or placement in warm climates.
• Light: Full sun is ideal.
• Fertilising: Use a high-nitrogen fertilizer such as 30-10-10 monthly during the growing season to support vigorous leaf growth. Once the plant starts flowering, switch to a high-potassium fertilizer like 15-5-30 to support fruit development.
• Pruning: Regularly remove dead leaves and spent fruit stalks. Cut back the main fruiting stem after harvest to encourage new growth.
• Mulching: Apply heavy mulch to retain soil moisture, provide nutrients, and suppress weeds.
• Pest Control: Look out for pests such as aphids, spider mites, and nematodes. Use eco-friendly pesticides if necessary.
• Flowering and Fruiting: Each pseudostem will fruit once. Fruit typically matures in about 3 to 8 months, depending on conditions and variety.
• Potting: Suitable for large containers, but requires ample space and meticulous care to manage growth and ensure sufficient nutrients.