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Bananas in your own garden: Retirees turn Warthausen into a holiday paradise!
Pensioner Manfred Bammert grows tropical fruits in Warthausen. Discover his fascinating garden project and the effects of climate change.
Bananas in your own garden: Retirees turn Warthausen into a holiday paradise!
In Warthausen, 84-year-old Manfred Bammert cultivates a remarkable plant: the Japanese fiber banana, also known as Musa basjoo. This hardy banana could bear fruit again this year. Bammert observes his ornamental banana every day, which has now outgrown his head and grows in the garden on his doorstep, not in a pot or garden shed.
About 25 years ago, Bammert began researching on the Internet before planting his first banana. During the first winter months he brought the plant into the garden house. Today, however, his care method has evolved: He currently cuts the plant back to around 1.60 meters and packs the rest for the cold season. For healthy growth, the plant needs 30 liters of water every day, even more on hot days.
Successful fruiting
Bammert hopes the banana will fruit by the end of September or October. This fruit base looks similar to a corn cob, but the fruits still have to develop their typical taste that takes some getting used to. Bammert is already planning a festival for the neighborhood if there is a successful harvest. What is particularly noteworthy is that Bammert estimates that he has distributed around 200 cuttings of his plant.
He used to be laughed at for his experiment, but now the perception has changed. He believes that the growth of his banana was only made possible by climate change. The fact that less snow is falling and temperatures are rising supports the growth of this tropical plant in his region.
Plant care and wintering
Musa basjoo care requires special attention. The plant has pseudostems that can grow up to four meters high and consists of tightly packed leaf sheaths. The leaves themselves can grow up to three meters long and 70 cm wide. The suitable location is rich in humus, well-drained and slightly moist. To prepare the plant for the winter months, we recommend cutting back the pseudo-stems. These should be mulched and provided with a protective covering to preserve the roots.
In addition to his banana, Bammert's garden also includes a variety of other types of fruit such as apples, cherries, plums and kiwis, as well as vegetables in the greenhouse such as tomatoes and cucumbers. His commitment and diverse diet show that he sees gardening as a great hobby. He is a well-known face in the neighborhood and has even shared his knowledge of the Japanese fiber banana on television.
Overall, Bammert's story is fascinating not only because of his successful cultivation of a tropical plant in an unfamiliar environment, but also because of his deep connection to nature and the changes brought about by climate change.