Origin

• The banana is native to southeast Asia where it has grown for thousands of years, in an area ranging from Indo-China to Australia. The plant made its first appearance in Europe around the 10th century. Approximately 600 years later, it was introduced to South America and the new world by Spanish and Portuguese explorers. Commercial production in the state of Florida began in the late 1800s.
  
  

Size

• The likely reason that the banana plant is often erroneously referred to as a tree is its exceptional height, which often reaches between 20 and 25 feet. It grows from a succulent stem called a pseudo stem. The leaves of the plant range from four to 15 in number and add to the size of the banana plant, sometimes extending upward and outward as far as 9 feet, with a width of 2 feet. The leaves unfurl at the rate of one per week during the warm season.
  
  

Environment

• Classified as a tropical plant, the banana grows well in areas where the mean temperature is 80 degrees Fahrenheit with a monthly rainfall of approximately 4 inches. The dry season should not extend beyond three months or growth of the tree will be minimized. Low temperatures that occur at flowering time can cause the bud to refuse to emerge or, if the fruit has already appeared, continued growth can be suspended.
  
  

Soil

• While it is conceivable for the banana plant to grow in less than ideal conditions, it will not thrive and produce significant bounty unless placed in deep, well-drained soil. The plant will tolerate loamy, rocky sand, sandy clay, volcanic ash and heavy clay, but it will not grow well in soil that holds water. It enjoys acidic soil; low pH levels can lead to an increased susceptibility to disease. If the earth holds a pH of below 5.0, lime should be applied.