Musa textilis

Cultivation Details

A plant of the hot, humid tropics adapted to an average relative humidity of about 80%^[1]. The present zone of successful cultivation lies within the latitudinal range 15°N and 5°S. In the Philippines it is usually grown in regions below 500 metres in elevations but it can be grown in the tropics at altitudes between sea level and 1100 metres^[1]. It grows best in areas where the mean annual temperature falls within the range 20 - 29°c, but can tolerate 16 - 33°c^[1]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,800 - 3,000mm, tolerating 700 - 4,400mm^[1]. Prefers a sunny position^[1]. Plants can succeed in most humus-rich, fertile soils, so long as they are well-drained^[1]. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 - 7, though it can tolerate 4.5 - 8^[1]. Prefers a position sheltered from strong winds. A perennial plant, growing for 18 - 36 months years before first harvest and with a economical life of 6 - 15 years^[1]. In the Philippines, the annual fibre yield ranges from 0.31 - 1.71 t/ha, while in Ecuador, yields are between 1.5 - 2.5 t/ha^[1].