andrewsion

I can do but I would prefer to have it inside. I would like to set up a system that will give the plant everything it has in its natural environment. I need lights. Humidity and heat etc.

andrewsion

What would really be helpful is if someone can give me a step by step guide to potting the plant. What fertiliser to use. How much of water etc. So pretty much a guide for when I receive the plant tomorrow and what to buy etc

JP

I use a mix of 40-50% coarse sand, 20% composted manure (cow and sheep) and the rest is garden soil or potting soil. Works for me.
If you want fruit, I don't think T8's are going to be enough...
At that point, you may want to ask someone with more experience. There's a lot of great people here with a lot more experience than me.
I'm just aiming to keep them alive until the next growing season for the moment. I have plans for a greenhouse in a near future.

Kat2

It can be very windy here also. However, we probably have more sunny days than you do; sun can be blistering here.

When I lived in what was technically a zone 6 (NW edge of Washington, DC) according to older maps, I raised plants that grow like weeds outside here. (My zone here is technically 9 but behaves moves like 10.) I did not grow bananas then but I did have a calamondin orange, snake plant and pony tail palm (purchased at 5" tall but 20 years later was 6') among others. (I don't remember all 30 or so I had.)

They spent their winters in front of a floor to ceiling south facing poorly insulated plate glass window; I used no extra lighting or heating. I fertilized with generic Miracle Grow about once a month. They were in regular potting soil. They were watered weekly for the most part until their drainage bowls were full. They looked fine during the winter (snake plant bloomed) but they were obviously thrilled when I set them out for the 7 months of not winter. Bees made sure I picked little oranges in November. I firmly believe you get better results if you can let plants enjoy nature for part of the year. Since that's not your choice, I'm no help I guess.

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Kevin2685

You have to take into consideration how much room you have.how much height are you working with?
I would make sure for grow lights the bulbs you get are 6500k.
You want something that mimics daylight.
What size pot are you going to use?
Don't go for the deepest pot,find one that has some good width also as their roots like to spread out.
I haven't tried growing them inside for an extended period of time indoors it's either to start them or just to maintain them.they grow much better outside for me.
Humidity is important they don't like the dry warm air during winter when we bring them in. I always have problems like many others do with mites indoors so humidity would help with that but you still want to always check for those things inside cause they have no other predators just you
Good luck with this venture.

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Currently growing

Musa basjoo
Dwarf orinico
Variegated dwarf namwah
Aeae
Patupi
Veinte cohol
Musa lasiocarpa (golden lotus)
Musa velutina
Raja puri
Mekong giant
Double cavendish
Super dwarf cavendish
Truly tiny
Musa laterita
Ensete maurelli

a.hulva@coxinet.net

A picture would help a bunch. How long have you had it?

andrewsion

hello everyone. Im sure you can help kat. i will be growing a few plants and i can do some outside. So where are we.

My plant will arrive anytime now. what should i do to plant it in a pot etc. whats the steps i need to take

andrewsion

cincinnana

For all you need to know about growing these plants inside there are many accurate informative Youtube video to watch. Use keywords "grow lights for bananas or marijuana" both plants require similar setups for indoors.
the videos are very detailed.
You will also find a setup that can match your budget..

Expect to pay 350.00 and up but there are a lot of good dyi videos also to help keep the cost down.

Check out this link to get you started...Banana Cultivation In Non-Tropical Climates

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Kat2

andrew, do you grow other houseplants? If so, what? If not, try to keep this simple. You need light; do you have windows that get decent sunlight? Assuming this is a TC or small potted plant, I'd start with at least a 1 gallon size (not sure what the equivalent measure would be there). Fill it with soil/materials as suggested by others. I don't fertilize my outside musas very much but they're growing in good compost; having never grown these inside, I don't know what's needed so, again, listen to others. At the least you need good potting soil, a decent sized pot with a drainage saucer (helpful if you travel and don't have someone caring for your plant when you're away) and sufficient light to get started. If she doesn't seem happy after a couple of weeks, post pictures and someone will advise you.

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andrewsion

Hi Kim. Thanks for your advice. I haven't really grown many plants but I'm doing a lot of research and trying different things etc. I have now planted her and she looks a little limp but that's understandable. Il will keep you updated. Thanks ks for your help

mushtaq86

Hi Andrew

My first question to yourself is are you growing Dwarf Cavendish, for foliage or fruit, if its for foliage, you should have bought a Musa Basjoo. Musa Basjoo can be kept outside all year round in the UK and will be fine unless we have a severe cold winter, even then it can be wrapped. Basjoo will not give you edible fruit.

Dwarf Cavendish or the Cavendish family require warmth year round for growth and fruit in the UK. Min temperature 18C day, 10c min night, best place for that would be a Greenhouse or a conservatory, cost to heat would be not cheap from November to April, could be upto £1000-£1500.Growing the plant indoors would not be adequate unless you live in a mansion, as you would need ceiling height and a large south facing window, not to mention constant misting of the leaves for red spider mite, constant water drip from leaves could also be a problem if you have carpets.Dwarf Cavendish can not be used as a summer bedding plant in the UK, summers are not warm enough for it to thrive.