BananaBoat87

Hello everybody. I’m new here! I’ve lurked here and there, and thought I would join and ask for any advice or insight.

I’ve had Musa Basjoo growing for 2 years. I’m in zone 7A, upstate South Carolina

Mine seem to max out around 3-4 feet - the leaves are big, but it just won’t gain any height. The leaves pop out fast, and it appears to be doing good otherwise.


I have been watering frequently this year, especially with it being in the 90’s. They get full sun..

Is it possible that I have a bad strain? Is this even Musa Basjoo? Brian’s botanicals says it is (I did not get it from there)

There are tall banana trees on my road at a neighbors house that are huge.. and nobody even bothers with them lol, and I worry myself to death and these don’t do much!

Nerka1

My Musa Basjoo are larger than this, but typically blossom at my head level. My friends get 8-10 feet tall and you can barely reach the blossoms. The difference I think is in soil preparation. He preps his soil real well. I am lazy and put mine in clay with minimal disruption of the soil. So find out how much clay is under the plants. Also, how much shade is there? If there is a lot of shade then there might be a problems there. lastly, how nutritious is the soil? If you want tall nanners you probably need all three. But just for kicks, as your neighbor and see if they do anything different.

BananaBoat87

I didn’t prep my soil to be honest, and it is that awful red clay under the mulch & compost that you can see around them. I put the mulch & compost around them this year, to help kill the grass around them.

There is no shade on them for most of the day - they probably get about 12 hours of sun. They’re in a place in my yard that gets full sun.

I’m gonna go pick up some fertilizer today in hopes of helping them get taller.
My dad knows a guy in town that has some bananas that are 15+ feet tall, and I’m gonna go dig up some of his pups and see if I can get some of the same success, and of course see what he’s done over the years. we asked him what they were and he said “bonsai” something, so I’m thinking it’s Musa Basjoo.

cincinnana

Great looking plant......
First year they sleep.
Second year they creep.
Third year they leap.......

Best largest growth is had by plants that were planted in well ammended soil within the first few years.

Have fun growing.....

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Mj

I believe Cincinnana is correct. I've had mine 7 or 8 years now and they get to be 10-15 feet tall. But the first couple of years they looked like yours. I've never fertilized them.

cincinnana

Your plants should ...should grow larger.

Plants in good soil will get a tad larger.

If you can revitalize the soil... amend it with yard waste or whatever you can.

Many people have some great ideas on how to revitalize their beds.

Youtube has some great takeaways also


https://flic.kr/s/aHskkER8ZQ

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BananaBoat87

They are definitely getting bigger this year than last. They’re almost taller than me - I’m 6’2.

BananaBoat87

That’s good to know, thank you! Are yours in full sun?

cincinnana

They willl get a tad larger..
Here is a local link of your potential.
These plants as well as mine are planted in best soil possible.
https://flic.kr/s/aHsjYLXXfW

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