Peter Stav and Emma Stav successfully grew fruit on their collection of 200 banana plants in Essex after 15 years.
Peter Stav and Emma Stav have successfully harvested fruit from their collection of 200 banana plants in Rayleigh, Essex, after waiting 15 years for the results. The school teacher and his wife utilized a "microclimate effect" by building walls around the plants to trap heat during the colder winter months. The success of the fruit comes as warmer summers and milder winters make it increasingly possible to grow tropical plants in the United Kingdom. Guy Barter of The Royal Horticultural Society noted that heat-loving plants like olives and figs are excelling, while traditional crops like rhubarb are declining. Botanist James Wong stated that hotter temperatures have made it very easy to grow bananas, noting that the plants are incredibly fast-growing when provided with sufficient heat. While the Musa Basjoo variety is popular for its ability to survive British winters, Wong noted that these specific plants are more valued for their appearance than for eating.