Banana Indoor Care Help Please

canadianplant · 11-06-2010, 06:23 PM

I Have 3 banana plants. 2 Musa basjoo ( as seen on my thread), and what im 90% sure to be a Musella Lasiocarpa ( I very stupidly did not label the pot).

One of my basjoos, is dug up and brought in as a houseplant. Th eother is going dormant, and im going to be storing that in my basement ( im trying 2 ways just incase one way fails miserably).

The musella, is about 4 inches tall ( on some where around 6 leaves give or take). I have no choice but to grow this inside for the time being.

Both recieve 5-8 hours of direct light,and get misted at least once a day. They are both activly growing, slow but growing.

Im not a novice to plants ( i have around 100 house plants), and if im not mistakin, most bananas are concidered a challange indoors. I have found some information on people having success growing Basjoo indoors, but almost none concerning Musella ( that doesnt concern grow lights).

Can anyone please offer me some advice on helping them survive the winter inside please?

Thanks

The Hollyberry Lady · 11-06-2010, 07:32 PM

Hi there!

I'm in the same province as you are and although my basjoos are outside in my garden establishing as perennials, I also have some banana plants I'm growing inside, such as Viente Cohol, Siam Ruby, Super Dwarf Cavendish, and a mystery banana plant from Texas that may be an Orinoco.

The biggest challenges indoors I find, are light and pests. I keep mine in a South facing window but I'm also planning to turn on my 400 W Metal Halide system to experiment and see how well a couple grow under it this winter.

I keep my indoor banana plants showered on a regular basis because spider mites are especially prone to taking up residence on the undersides of banana leaves.

Looks like you've got the two worst challenges licked, if your plants get 5-8 hours light and are misted daily. Good for you! Bet they'll thrive in your home.

I'd like to store some of mine dormant too but worry they'll die.

Looking forward to what other members have to say also, but good luck with your indoor banana plants.

: )

canadianplant · 11-06-2010, 08:26 PM

Thanks again!

They seem to be doing well. I repotted the musella a few days ago, it was till in the germination medium. It seems to have liked that.

Im pretty sure the basjoo has spidermites already :S. So its just a mater of not lettin them win. When it goes outside, itll thrive ( not to mention the lady bugs and plethora of other bugs i get in my yard make short work of pests)

The Hollyberry Lady · 11-06-2010, 08:39 PM

Water will break mites down, but it has to come consistently and regularily.

If your Basjoo is too big to take to your bathtub for a weekly shower, then get into the habit of misting it with a spray bottle twice a week...like when you're watching T.V. or talking on the phone. Pay special attention to the undersides of the leaves, however don't neglect the tops.

If you get into the regular habit of doing this and don't get lazy about it, I guarantee your mite problem will disappear completely.

Even when the mites are gone, although the showers can be less regular, you must still continue or they will promptly return.

Did you consider just keeping your Basjoo outside as a perennial? Many people in Ontario have done so with success...or are you trying to get yours to produce a flower?

Good luck with your spider mite problem. Blast those buggers with some water! You can even mix liquid dishsoap into your spray bottle, as this kills mites instantly, but be sure to rinse the plant thoroughly of soap afterwards.

After the mites are dead and gone, continue to shower or mist the plant with clear water.

: )

canadianplant · 11-06-2010, 08:48 PM

I always spray my plants. Especialy in winter, they furnace dried em out to quick. Ive successfuly gotten rid of them on bananas in the past, but some plants its impossible IMO. I have a ficus religiosa, that no matter any amount of soap or spray, or isolation, the second its indoors, it has spiermites.... Usualy only visible on that one.

As for growing it as a perennial. The tall one, is no mor then a foot and a half ( not counting the new unfurling leaf). its going to be pushed to its limits here ( as a perennial), so I want to start when its a bit bigger, for higher odds of success, and a much, much bigger plant next year.

once every week or 2 i give em a spray of one drop of sunlight mixed in 2 pints of hot water, and mist them ( its a pressure mister, you pump it and it sprays). It does the trick on everything ususaly, exept the ficus religiosa....

The Hollyberry Lady · 11-06-2010, 08:58 PM

Thanks for clarifying.

That's what I did too...kept my Basjoo inside for a year before putting it in my garden. Plus I buried it a foot deeper in the ground, than it was in the pot, to further it's chances for survival. This is it's first winter outside.

Fingers crossed...

: )

canadianplant · 11-06-2010, 09:13 PM

My advice, a foot of leaves on top LOL. I hope it will make the winter!

Thanks again!

Kevin · 11-07-2010, 12:04 AM

I didn't trust mine to do well if it's not in my grow room, and even though I had to cram it in there, it's there. I didn't want to risk dormancy, as it seems to be a hit-and-miss thing for some people, and I didn't want to lose this plant I grew to this point already. I use a 1000W HPS bulb and two small basement windows facing SW and W. All the 'tropical' plants go down there. My Dwarf Orinoco did well last year potted, but this year will be a challenge. It had a 5' p-stem, so I cut it back to 3' to fit it inside and give it room to grow. It's growing already - I need more room! I also have a Dwarf Green, an Ensete ventricosum 'Maurelii' and a Dwarf Cavendish. I do have some spider mites on some plants, but haven't noticed any on the bananas. I keep the humidity above 50%, and it gets up to 90% at times, so that might be why.

If you don't have a grow room like this, it could be tricky, but I think you will be fine in your window. I think humidity is the key for them. If the house is too dry, they seem to suffer.

canadianplant · 11-07-2010, 06:10 AM

Ya i hear ya there kevin. I had an Acuminata, which does ok indoors under normal conditions, which still had brown edges, and suffered when i didnt mist it for a few days. Im only doing this for thsi year, because their so small, and i only have 2. I both survive th winter, ill be leaving one outside, heavily multched, while, one will be dug up, while dormant, and left in the basement.

If all goes well next year, ill have some Musa Itenerans, Helens hybrid, Ensete, and yunannensis. IF all goes as planned ill be selling some seedlings in the spring ( big if so far), to people in canada. This wont be till spring.

*sidenote How you enjoying another odd fall??

Kevin · 11-07-2010, 02:39 PM

If I can get a basjoo next year, I will try it outside for the winter - maybe the next winter, though, cause it might do better if bigger.

I hope you do get seeds - that would be awesome! If you do - put me on the list please!

The fall has been awesome! Not a whole lot different than last year, though. Last year we were cleaning up the garden on Remembrance Day, and it wasn't even cold! Well, off to do some more cleaning and last-minute planting - in November! It's 12C right now, and tomorrow is supposed to be 13C!!

canadianplant · 11-07-2010, 04:09 PM

ya for sure. In the peg, i would reccomend some sort of heat for the soil. You guys can get pretty cold for pretty long there ( then again, the deep snow pack you get there helps alot too, hmmmmm). Only one way to try right??

Same here too dude, pretty muchthe same as last year, cept a bit more wet.been 10c or the last few days, and supposed to last till friday here, it was 13c in my yard today and the day before. The best part is, the nights are slowly staying below freezing, while we get the good warmish temps, good to harde off the plants.

1aday · 11-07-2010, 04:30 PM

I've overwintered Musellas for several years. They seem to do very well if you keep them on the drier side. One of the easier ones to overwinter IMO.
Good luck!

sandy0225 · 11-07-2010, 07:12 PM

musella lasiocarpa doesn't like to be as wet as other bananas. It likes well drained soil but higher humidity. Watch for spider mites on that one. Spider mites loves musella and ensete.
As it gets bigger you'll be able to tell when it needs water. The stem goes from hard feeling to spongy if you grow them too dry. They don't mind being pretty cool. I have no problems overwintering them in the greenhouse at 50 as long as I don't overwater them and can keep the spider mites off them.

canadianplant · 11-08-2010, 08:32 AM

Thanks Sandy. Im trying not to keep them too wet, as their growing really slow. I only water them when the soil has dried a bit, and when the leaves look wilty.

David Harritz · 06-05-2012, 09:13 AM

Provide proper nutrients and fertilizer in a perfect manner and not overdose it. With that proper lights should be there. As the lights are necessary for plants so should not be neglected and need to be taken care of.

kaczercat · 06-05-2012, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin

If I can get a basjoo next year, I will try it outside for the winter - maybe the next winter, though, cause it might do better if bigger.

I hope you do get seeds - that would be awesome! If you do - put me on the list please!

The fall has been awesome! Not a whole lot different than last year, though. Last year we were cleaning up the garden on Remembrance Day, and it wasn't even cold! Well, off to do some more cleaning and last-minute planting - in November! It's 12C right now, and tomorrow is supposed to be 13C!!

I second what canadianplant said with the heat, mulch just won't do it, too cold. I know the weather was pretty nice. for us down here it didn't really get cold or snow until Mid December. and the snow never stayed for more then a week. I hope we have a hot hot summer!

11-06-2010, 06:23 PM	#1 (permalink)
canadianplant Location: ontario Zone: Zone 3-5 Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 103 BananaBucks : 53,048 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 20 Times Was Thanked 65 Times in 44 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Banana Indoor Care Help Please I Have 3 banana plants. 2 Musa basjoo ( as seen on my thread), and what im 90% sure to be a Musella Lasiocarpa ( I very stupidly did not label the pot). One of my basjoos, is dug up and brought in as a houseplant. Th eother is going dormant, and im going to be storing that in my basement ( im trying 2 ways just incase one way fails miserably). The musella, is about 4 inches tall ( on some where around 6 leaves give or take). I have no choice but to grow this inside for the time being. Both recieve 5-8 hours of direct light,and get misted at least once a day. They are both activly growing, slow but growing. Im not a novice to plants ( i have around 100 house plants), and if im not mistakin, most bananas are concidered a challange indoors. I have found some information on people having success growing Basjoo indoors, but almost none concerning Musella ( that doesnt concern grow lights). Can anyone please offer me some advice on helping them survive the winter inside please? Thanks

11-06-2010, 07:32 PM	#2 (permalink)
The Hollyberry Lady The Hollyberry Lady 's Photo Gallery Find me on the map! Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 15,161 BananaBucks : 1,327,811 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 12,042 Times Was Thanked 11,326 Times in 5,311 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 102 Times	Re: Banana Indoor Care Help Please Hi there! I'm in the same province as you are and although my basjoos are outside in my garden establishing as perennials, I also have some banana plants I'm growing inside, such as Viente Cohol, Siam Ruby, Super Dwarf Cavendish, and a mystery banana plant from Texas that may be an Orinoco. The biggest challenges indoors I find, are light and pests. I keep mine in a South facing window but I'm also planning to turn on my 400 W Metal Halide system to experiment and see how well a couple grow under it this winter. I keep my indoor banana plants showered on a regular basis because spider mites are especially prone to taking up residence on the undersides of banana leaves. Looks like you've got the two worst challenges licked, if your plants get 5-8 hours light and are misted daily. Good for you! Bet they'll thrive in your home. I'd like to store some of mine dormant too but worry they'll die. Looking forward to what other members have to say also, but good luck with your indoor banana plants. : )

11-06-2010, 08:26 PM	#3 (permalink)
canadianplant Location: ontario Zone: Zone 3-5 Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 103 BananaBucks : 53,048 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 20 Times Was Thanked 65 Times in 44 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Banana Indoor Care Help Please Thanks again! They seem to be doing well. I repotted the musella a few days ago, it was till in the germination medium. It seems to have liked that. Im pretty sure the basjoo has spidermites already :S. So its just a mater of not lettin them win. When it goes outside, itll thrive ( not to mention the lady bugs and plethora of other bugs i get in my yard make short work of pests)

11-06-2010, 08:39 PM	#4 (permalink)
The Hollyberry Lady The Hollyberry Lady 's Photo Gallery Find me on the map! Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 15,161 BananaBucks : 1,327,811 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 12,042 Times Was Thanked 11,326 Times in 5,311 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 102 Times	Re: Banana Indoor Care Help Please Water will break mites down, but it has to come consistently and regularily. If your Basjoo is too big to take to your bathtub for a weekly shower, then get into the habit of misting it with a spray bottle twice a week...like when you're watching T.V. or talking on the phone. Pay special attention to the undersides of the leaves, however don't neglect the tops. If you get into the regular habit of doing this and don't get lazy about it, I guarantee your mite problem will disappear completely. Even when the mites are gone, although the showers can be less regular, you must still continue or they will promptly return. Did you consider just keeping your Basjoo outside as a perennial? Many people in Ontario have done so with success...or are you trying to get yours to produce a flower? Good luck with your spider mite problem. Blast those buggers with some water! You can even mix liquid dishsoap into your spray bottle, as this kills mites instantly, but be sure to rinse the plant thoroughly of soap afterwards. After the mites are dead and gone, continue to shower or mist the plant with clear water. : ) Last edited by The Hollyberry Lady : 11-06-2010 at 08:41 PM. Reason: damn spelling!!!

11-06-2010, 08:48 PM	#5 (permalink)
canadianplant Location: ontario Zone: Zone 3-5 Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 103 BananaBucks : 53,048 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 20 Times Was Thanked 65 Times in 44 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Banana Indoor Care Help Please I always spray my plants. Especialy in winter, they furnace dried em out to quick. Ive successfuly gotten rid of them on bananas in the past, but some plants its impossible IMO. I have a ficus religiosa, that no matter any amount of soap or spray, or isolation, the second its indoors, it has spiermites.... Usualy only visible on that one. As for growing it as a perennial. The tall one, is no mor then a foot and a half ( not counting the new unfurling leaf). its going to be pushed to its limits here ( as a perennial), so I want to start when its a bit bigger, for higher odds of success, and a much, much bigger plant next year. once every week or 2 i give em a spray of one drop of sunlight mixed in 2 pints of hot water, and mist them ( its a pressure mister, you pump it and it sprays). It does the trick on everything ususaly, exept the ficus religiosa....

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11-06-2010, 08:58 PM	#6 (permalink)
The Hollyberry Lady The Hollyberry Lady 's Photo Gallery Find me on the map! Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 15,161 BananaBucks : 1,327,811 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 12,042 Times Was Thanked 11,326 Times in 5,311 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 102 Times	Re: Banana Indoor Care Help Please Thanks for clarifying. That's what I did too...kept my Basjoo inside for a year before putting it in my garden. Plus I buried it a foot deeper in the ground, than it was in the pot, to further it's chances for survival. This is it's first winter outside. Fingers crossed... : )

11-06-2010, 09:13 PM	#7 (permalink)
canadianplant Location: ontario Zone: Zone 3-5 Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 103 BananaBucks : 53,048 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 20 Times Was Thanked 65 Times in 44 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Banana Indoor Care Help Please My advice, a foot of leaves on top LOL. I hope it will make the winter! Thanks again!

11-07-2010, 12:04 AM	#8 (permalink)
Kevin Location: Winnipeg, Canada Find me on the map! Zone: 2b Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 184 BananaBucks : 137,249 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 31 Times Was Thanked 100 Times in 76 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 5 Times	Re: Banana Indoor Care Help Please I didn't trust mine to do well if it's not in my grow room, and even though I had to cram it in there, it's there. I didn't want to risk dormancy, as it seems to be a hit-and-miss thing for some people, and I didn't want to lose this plant I grew to this point already. I use a 1000W HPS bulb and two small basement windows facing SW and W. All the 'tropical' plants go down there. My Dwarf Orinoco did well last year potted, but this year will be a challenge. It had a 5' p-stem, so I cut it back to 3' to fit it inside and give it room to grow. It's growing already - I need more room! I also have a Dwarf Green, an Ensete ventricosum 'Maurelii' and a Dwarf Cavendish. I do have some spider mites on some plants, but haven't noticed any on the bananas. I keep the humidity above 50%, and it gets up to 90% at times, so that might be why. If you don't have a grow room like this, it could be tricky, but I think you will be fine in your window. I think humidity is the key for them. If the house is too dry, they seem to suffer.

11-07-2010, 06:10 AM	#9 (permalink)
canadianplant Location: ontario Zone: Zone 3-5 Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 103 BananaBucks : 53,048 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 20 Times Was Thanked 65 Times in 44 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Banana Indoor Care Help Please Ya i hear ya there kevin. I had an Acuminata, which does ok indoors under normal conditions, which still had brown edges, and suffered when i didnt mist it for a few days. Im only doing this for thsi year, because their so small, and i only have 2. I both survive th winter, ill be leaving one outside, heavily multched, while, one will be dug up, while dormant, and left in the basement. If all goes well next year, ill have some Musa Itenerans, Helens hybrid, Ensete, and yunannensis. IF all goes as planned ill be selling some seedlings in the spring ( big if so far), to people in canada. This wont be till spring. *sidenote How you enjoying another odd fall??

11-07-2010, 02:39 PM	#10 (permalink)
Kevin Location: Winnipeg, Canada Find me on the map! Zone: 2b Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 184 BananaBucks : 137,249 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 31 Times Was Thanked 100 Times in 76 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 5 Times	Re: Banana Indoor Care Help Please If I can get a basjoo next year, I will try it outside for the winter - maybe the next winter, though, cause it might do better if bigger. I hope you do get seeds - that would be awesome! If you do - put me on the list please! The fall has been awesome! Not a whole lot different than last year, though. Last year we were cleaning up the garden on Remembrance Day, and it wasn't even cold! Well, off to do some more cleaning and last-minute planting - in November! It's 12C right now, and tomorrow is supposed to be 13C!!

11-07-2010, 04:09 PM	#11 (permalink)
canadianplant Location: ontario Zone: Zone 3-5 Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 103 BananaBucks : 53,048 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 20 Times Was Thanked 65 Times in 44 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Banana Indoor Care Help Please ya for sure. In the peg, i would reccomend some sort of heat for the soil. You guys can get pretty cold for pretty long there ( then again, the deep snow pack you get there helps alot too, hmmmmm). Only one way to try right?? Same here too dude, pretty muchthe same as last year, cept a bit more wet.been 10c or the last few days, and supposed to last till friday here, it was 13c in my yard today and the day before. The best part is, the nights are slowly staying below freezing, while we get the good warmish temps, good to harde off the plants.

11-07-2010, 04:30 PM	#12 (permalink)
1aday 1aday's Photo Gallery Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 224 BananaBucks : 43,178 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 15 Times Was Thanked 184 Times in 105 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 24 Times	Re: Banana Indoor Care Help Please I've overwintered Musellas for several years. They seem to do very well if you keep them on the drier side. One of the easier ones to overwinter IMO. Good luck! __________________ Susan

11-07-2010, 07:12 PM	#13 (permalink)
sandy0225 Northern Tropics sandy0225's Photo Gallery Location: Muncie, Indiana zone 5 Find me on the map! Zone: zone 5 Name: Sandy Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 1,718 BananaBucks : 365,200 Feedback: 31 / 97% Said "Thanks" 38 Times Was Thanked 1,801 Times in 682 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 9 Times	Re: Banana Indoor Care Help Please musella lasiocarpa doesn't like to be as wet as other bananas. It likes well drained soil but higher humidity. Watch for spider mites on that one. Spider mites loves musella and ensete. As it gets bigger you'll be able to tell when it needs water. The stem goes from hard feeling to spongy if you grow them too dry. They don't mind being pretty cool. I have no problems overwintering them in the greenhouse at 50 as long as I don't overwater them and can keep the spider mites off them. __________________ Sandy Burrell Northern Tropics Greenhouse 1501 East Fuson Road Muncie, IN 47302 www.northerntropics.com specializing in bananas, heirloom tomatoes and water gardening plants~ check out our new online store at our website!

11-08-2010, 08:32 AM	#14 (permalink)
canadianplant Location: ontario Zone: Zone 3-5 Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 103 BananaBucks : 53,048 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 20 Times Was Thanked 65 Times in 44 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Banana Indoor Care Help Please Thanks Sandy. Im trying not to keep them too wet, as their growing really slow. I only water them when the soil has dried a bit, and when the leaves look wilty.

06-05-2012, 09:13 AM	#15 (permalink)
David Harritz hydroponics Location: USA Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 13 BananaBucks : 2,038 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 0 Times Was Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1 Times	Re: Banana Indoor Care Help Please Provide proper nutrients and fertilizer in a perfect manner and not overdose it. With that proper lights should be there. As the lights are necessary for plants so should not be neglected and need to be taken care of. __________________ Find the LED Grow Lights easily

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