blownz281

I got some 24-8-16 Miricale grow for my plants and the nanners. Am I wasting my time giving this formula to the nanners? Is it too weak? First time to ever plant them in the ground in NC. See sig for what I am growing if needed.

Also all left over fruits,egg shells,veggies,tea bags. Now do they have to compost for awhile or can you add them to the soil right away? We thought about doing what my parents do. Have not had a chance to ask them about there compost pile,how old it has to be before using it. Cow poop is out of the question as my little kids might get into it. Thanks

Richard

The MiracleGro/Scotts 24-8-16 is a good formula for citrus, ornamental bananas (e.g., basjoo), and for general growth of subtropical plants. Use 1 level Tablespoon per gallon for periodic feedings (once every 2-3 months) or 1/3 to 1/2 level teaspoon per gallon continuous feeding (with a permanent injector).

Check your soil pH before adding the contents of tea bags, coffee grounds, etc. If it is already below 6.5, leave them out.

Any of the scraps (including tea, coffee) you mentioned should be composted with a "core" temperature of 140F or greater for 90 days before mixing into the mulch on top of the soil. Do not dig compost into soil around plants. You will destroy developing root systems -- which often have "hairs" in the soil that you can only detect with a magnifying glass.

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sjh711

I use a 6-2-12. They seem to love it! Mine love Potassium.

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Richard

For fruiting bananas, higher potassium levels (relative to nitrogen) are important -- but not so for ornamental varieties. Water-solubles like the Scotts 24-8-16 or the Grow More 28-8-18 both have "High-Low-Medium" profile of the N-P-K. These numbers are percentages by weight, so 9-3-6 would be ok too -- you just have to use more of it because it is less concentrated.

For fruiting bananas, an NPK profile of "Medium-Low-High" is recommended, with the percentage of K about 1.5 times that of the percentage of N.

If you have fruiting bananas and are using the 6-2-12 formula, I would recommend using no more than 12.5 pounds of it per plant in the ground per year -- divided into 3 to 4 feedings about 2-3 months apart. The stem at the base should be at least 4 inches across before you attempt using this maximum dosage. For newly planted TC's in the ground or in a 5-gallon pot I would start with 1 TBSP per plant every month. For a somewhat juvenile plant in the ground (not a pot) with a base stem at least 2 inches across, an average dosage of 1/4 pound per month per plant would be sufficient.

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pitangadiego

15-15-15 has worked well for me. Tried the 9-3-27 mixture that was supposedly optimum, but didn't see any difference, and it was considerably more expensive.

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Richard

Professionally, 9-3-27 is a supplement used with Calcium Nitrate etc. to feed fruiting vegetables. I could see it being considered an "optimum" for bananas in conjunction with a base fertilizer in the few months leading up to bloom -- with the target being to provide net 1.5 lbs potash over the course of 9-12 months.

Certainly 15-15-15 with micronutrients will work -- but over time in the agricultural setting the phosphates will build up and the crop quality will be only moderate because of inadequate potash.

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Nicolas Naranja

It all depends on what you soil has naturally. I only supply potassium fertilizer to the ground and put all my micros out foliar.

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Richard

Yes, although plants are constantly removing it and in the case of bananas a whopping 2/3 of the potash goes to fruit. In an orchard setting, soil mineral reservoirs will be depleted within 7 years. A grower can definitely take soil tests every year and then "top off" to replace what is missing. This is highly recommended prior to any planting for a new garden, landscape, or orchard. Afterwards though, if the consumption of the plants is generally known and they are being fed appropriately, then soil tests every 5 years is more than adequate.

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nannerfunboi

i agree with richard and other posters..
test your soil periodically.. then make necessary ammendments..
here in utah..i need alot of nitrogen.. with my nanners..i ammend with
potash..
i certainly am learning more on my tropicals.. last yr was better..
and i got more survival with overwintering.. yea
always grateful to see what u all are using for fertilizer !!!

nannerfunboi

richards comment on root hairs on plants..wow.. i totally agree !!!
last yr..when we dug out nanners..and EE.. the boys couldnt believe the
how long and extensive the roots were.. i chalk it up to my soil..not
disturbing it..but a really good mix..and i did much better fertilizing last yr
i tend to "overthink" things..LOL sometimes to extreme..LOL
but the soils out there have been amended well..and the plant roots
certainly reflect that..
much thanks to discussion here !!!!!!!!!!!!

blownz281

Thanks guys. We live a mile from the ocean,so we have sand thats it for soil.

Richard

I'd mix it 50/50 with cured compost -- preferably from a greenery facility. For each banana in the ground, I'd prepare 4' x 4' x 2' deep planting hole.

My soil is rocks -- golf-ball size to cobblestone size, glued together with calciferous clay. So basically I'm jealous of your soil.

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blownz281

ok. HAHA

Yug

I just use composted steer manure from a company called Earthgro. Other than that, and water, I don't add anything more.