Musa × paradisiaca 'Ae Ae'

Hawaiian history and background of Musa × paradisiaca 'Ae Ae'

This banana has been cultivated in Hawaii for generations under names including Koae, Aeae and Manini.

In the Pacific, 'Manini Koae' has long been cultivated as one of the traditional Maoli-Popoulu bananas.

Growing Musa × paradisiaca 'Ae Ae'

• Light: Bright filtered light or gentle sun suits 'Ae Ae'. Protect the pale parts from sudden harsh midday sun.
• Water: Keep the root ball evenly moist during active growth and allow the pot to drain fully after each watering. When new growth slows, increase the time between waterings.
• Substrate and feeding: Use a fertile, humus-rich mix with good drainage. Feed while large leaves and pseudostems are developing. Pause fertiliser as growth slows; resume when fresh growth appears.
• Warmth, humidity and wind: Keep it warm and frost-free, and shelter it from strong wind. Keep the leaves out of hot air from heaters or vents.
• Container care: Repot when roots fill the available space or the mix starts drying unusually quickly. As the plant gets taller, use a broad, stable pot.
• Propagation: Wait until a sucker is well rooted, then lift it and pot it separately.

Problems and solutions for Musa × paradisiaca 'Ae Ae'

• White areas develop dry tan patches: Strong light introduced too quickly can scorch the palest tissue. Move the plant out of harsh midday sun and introduce stronger exposure in stages.
• Several leaves begin yellowing in a waterlogged pot: The potting mix may be holding too much water. Empty the saucer or outer pot and leave the plant to drain completely. If yellowing continues, check the roots carefully. Use disinfected shears to remove any roots that are soft or rotting, cutting back until only firm, healthy roots remain. Discard the damaged roots, then repot into fresh, free-draining mix.
• A fresh leaf opens with a tear: Wind or repeated brushing can split the soft blade while it unfolds. Give each new leaf room to open. If the leaves are being blown around, place it somewhere sheltered.
• Fine webbing or waxy white tufts develop: Webbing suggests spider mites; waxy tufts suggest mealybugs. Keep it separate, look over the leaves and stems for mites or mealybugs, and use an appropriate treatment as directed on the label. Repeat only at the interval stated on the label.

Musa × paradisiaca ‘Ae Ae’ is non-toxic to people and pets

• This plant is non-toxic to people, cats and dogs.
• Chewing a large amount can still cause an upset stomach.
• If a large amount is eaten and symptoms continue, contact a veterinarian or medical professional.

Musa × paradisiaca: name and meaning

Musa is an old name for banana adopted into botanical Latin. The epithet paradisiaca is Latin for of paradise, reflecting an old European association of bananas with the biblical paradise.

Carl Linnaeus established the genus Musa in 1753 in Species Plantarum, page 1043.

Carl Linnaeus first described Musa × paradisiaca in 1753 in Species Plantarum, page 1043.