Banana newbie in inland-valley SF Bay Area (Concord)

Ashton_SFBay · 06-25-2017, 07:17 PM

Hi Everyone!

This is my first year attempting to grow bananas! In Concord, CA. Hot (90s) and dry summers with mild (50s) and wet winters, with 2-3 nights per year getting to around 28F. Most winter nights around 45F. Zone 9b.

Back in December 2016, I got 6 RajaPuris by mail order. Had done a fair bit of research and decided these were my best bet to get some fruiting plants! For 3 months kept them indoors, under lights at almost constant 85F and 50% humidity. In approx. 5 gallon planters. Fertilizing with Stokes Banana Fertilizer. Grew like they were on steroids.

Late March, weather began to warm, so, after a week of taking them outdoors during the day and back in at night, I decided winter was over and it was time to fully take them outdoors (besides, 3 of them were getting too large to take through a doorway without damage).

Then disaster struck as the weather turned cold and we had a few close-to-freezing nights. Plants went into lock-down and stubbornly refused to grow. The weakest specimen gave up the ghost and turned to complete mush. So, 5 left! One had been planted in the ground, one in a 45 gallon fabric grow bag, one in a 30 gallon fabric grow bag and 2 in approx 10 gallon cheap plastic tubs.

Once the weather warmed up, they all began to grow again, with the one planted in the ground now looking the best with massive big leaves (after initially looking very touch-and-go and falling over and uprooting itself!). Both of the ones in the plastic tubs have put out 4 pups each. Mummy and babies all still growing well but I'm assuming the small tubs are what has caused the pups.

Anyways - fingers crossed they will keep on growing and that I will get some real live fruits! And great to virtual-meet everyone!

This photo shows the 2 bananas that are in the 10 gallon tubs:

Snarkie · 06-26-2017, 12:39 PM

Hi Ashton-

Welcome aboard the Banana Express.

HMelendez · 06-29-2017, 06:40 PM

Welcome to the banana gang!.....

Jonifg · 07-05-2017, 02:41 PM

Welcome

robguz24 · 07-05-2017, 04:40 PM

I grew up in Concord. 35 years ago we'd get frost with some frequency during the winters. Exciting that you can grow bananas there!

docpreach · 07-08-2017, 11:00 PM

welcome

Tytaylor77 · 07-09-2017, 12:48 AM

Welcome!

06-25-2017, 07:17 PM	#1 (permalink)
Ashton_SFBay Location: Concord, CA. Find me on the map! Zone: 9b Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 8 BananaBucks : 2,910 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 23 Times Was Thanked 19 Times in 4 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1 Times	Banana newbie in inland-valley SF Bay Area (Concord) Hi Everyone! This is my first year attempting to grow bananas! In Concord, CA. Hot (90s) and dry summers with mild (50s) and wet winters, with 2-3 nights per year getting to around 28F. Most winter nights around 45F. Zone 9b. Back in December 2016, I got 6 RajaPuris by mail order. Had done a fair bit of research and decided these were my best bet to get some fruiting plants! For 3 months kept them indoors, under lights at almost constant 85F and 50% humidity. In approx. 5 gallon planters. Fertilizing with Stokes Banana Fertilizer. Grew like they were on steroids. Late March, weather began to warm, so, after a week of taking them outdoors during the day and back in at night, I decided winter was over and it was time to fully take them outdoors (besides, 3 of them were getting too large to take through a doorway without damage). Then disaster struck as the weather turned cold and we had a few close-to-freezing nights. Plants went into lock-down and stubbornly refused to grow. The weakest specimen gave up the ghost and turned to complete mush. So, 5 left! One had been planted in the ground, one in a 45 gallon fabric grow bag, one in a 30 gallon fabric grow bag and 2 in approx 10 gallon cheap plastic tubs. Once the weather warmed up, they all began to grow again, with the one planted in the ground now looking the best with massive big leaves (after initially looking very touch-and-go and falling over and uprooting itself!). Both of the ones in the plastic tubs have put out 4 pups each. Mummy and babies all still growing well but I'm assuming the small tubs are what has caused the pups. Anyways - fingers crossed they will keep on growing and that I will get some real live fruits! And great to virtual-meet everyone! This photo shows the 2 bananas that are in the 10 gallon tubs: __________________ I just know that something good is gonna happen - Kate Bush Last edited by Ashton_SFBay : 06-25-2017 at 07:33 PM. Reason: Adding photo description

06-26-2017, 12:39 PM	#2 (permalink)
Snarkie The Cat Whisperer Location: Charlotte, NC Zone: 8b, pushing 9a Name: D.A. Hänks Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 2,119 BananaBucks : 162,793 Feedback: 5 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1,218 Times Was Thanked 1,976 Times in 1,145 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1,049 Times	Re: Banana newbie in inland-valley SF Bay Area (Concord) Hi Ashton- Welcome aboard the Banana Express. __________________ Doug (D.A. Hänks) http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2955582/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1 The Only Eastern Redwood Forest in America "Nuke my 'nanners, will you?!"

06-29-2017, 06:40 PM	#3 (permalink)
HMelendez The Banana Gang Enforcer Zone: 10B-11 Join Date: Aug 2014 Posts: 2,750 BananaBucks : 201,605 Feedback: 5 / 100% Said "Thanks" 11,094 Times Was Thanked 5,279 Times in 1,618 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 737 Times	Re: Banana newbie in inland-valley SF Bay Area (Concord) Welcome to the banana gang!..... __________________ HMelendez Photo Gallery

07-05-2017, 02:41 PM	#4 (permalink)
Jonifg Zone: Zone 10 Join Date: May 2017 Posts: 64 BananaBucks : 17,485 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 360 Times Was Thanked 50 Times in 26 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 33 Times	Re: Banana newbie in inland-valley SF Bay Area (Concord) Welcome

07-05-2017, 04:40 PM	#5 (permalink)
robguz24 Rob Location: Kalapana, Hawaii Find me on the map! Zone: 11 Name: Rob Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 1,506 BananaBucks : 270,404 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 1,320 Times Was Thanked 4,961 Times in 1,080 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 204 Times	Re: Banana newbie in inland-valley SF Bay Area (Concord) I grew up in Concord. 35 years ago we'd get frost with some frequency during the winters. Exciting that you can grow bananas there! __________________ My micro-farm Stay on my Big Island banana farm cottage

Members currently in the chatroom: 0
	The most chatters online in one day was 17, 09-06-2009. No one is currently using the chat.

07-08-2017, 11:00 PM	#6 (permalink)
docpreach Location: alexandria la Find me on the map! Zone: 8 Name: dave Join Date: Jun 2017 Posts: 8 BananaBucks : 3,941 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 10 Times Was Thanked 10 Times in 6 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2 Times	Re: Banana newbie in inland-valley SF Bay Area (Concord) welcome

07-09-2017, 12:48 AM	#7 (permalink)
Tytaylor77 Banana Plants for Trade Location: East Texas Find me on the map! Zone: 8b Name: Ty Join Date: Jun 2015 Posts: 1,367 BananaBucks : 49,819 Feedback: 11 / 100% Said "Thanks" 4,608 Times Was Thanked 3,726 Times in 1,185 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 424 Times	Re: Banana newbie in inland-valley SF Bay Area (Concord) Welcome! __________________ 150+ Varieties!!. See profile for list. Help me add more! CLICK HERE TO SEE PICTURES OF MY MUSA COLLECTION! www.bananapups.com

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Inland so cal banana suggestions?	Pueblobanana	Main Banana Discussion	3	02-05-2017 01:29 PM
Looking for pups in the Riverside, Inland Empire, California	AlexG	Member Introductions	3	10-22-2016 02:10 PM
zone 9 central valley banana ?	cherokee_greg	Main Banana Discussion	4	03-24-2010 04:11 PM
Newbie from Cal's Central Valley	jonquildaddy	Member Introductions	6	03-02-2009 11:06 AM
Inland China basjoo (?)	maki	Cold Hardy Bananas	2	04-12-2008 06:14 AM