Olla, clay pot irrigation question

rubysgarden · 05-10-2009, 11:44 AM

Hi all, new to bananas and forum. Am about to plant my first bananas- 2 Dwarf Cavendish. I'm located in Pasadena, CA, zone 10. Curious as to whether any one has tried using ollas (clay pots) for watering. Appreciate the help! Sharon

Patty in Wisc · 05-10-2009, 01:58 PM

Hi Sharon, welcome!
I never heard of "ollas" but clay pots are fine. You will have to water more though as they are porous. But, why don't you plant your nanas in the ground - living in zone 10?

rubysgarden · 05-10-2009, 02:22 PM

Thanks Patty! Tried to think of as much detail to post, so it would be clear... I am planting in the ground!

The ollas would be for under ground watering. It's like a terra cotta pumpkin with a neck. You sink the pot in the ground, up to the neck, then fill with water. It will slowly leak out to keep the plant(s) nearby watered. I hear it works great for tomatoes... Am guessing it might work great for bananas- moist but not soggy (so I hear...) It is also supposedly good for water conservation- as it does not evaporate as much (as hand or drip irrigation.)

lorax · 05-10-2009, 03:50 PM

I've used Ollas, and I find them to be very effective unless I'm in desert or semidesert conditions. They're fantastic for things like strawberries and bananas, which need a constant source of moisture to do well.

rubysgarden · 05-10-2009, 04:10 PM

Thanks Lorax! Think I will start using them in different parts of the garden and see what happens!

lorax · 05-10-2009, 04:44 PM

I should say that I particularly like them for when I'm going to be away from the garden for a while; I don't have to worry about rainfall if I fill them up.

05-10-2009, 11:44 AM	#1 (permalink)
rubysgarden Location: Pasadena, CA Zone: 10 / Sunset 21 Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 3 BananaBucks : 5,871 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 0 Times Was Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Olla, clay pot irrigation question Hi all, new to bananas and forum. Am about to plant my first bananas- 2 Dwarf Cavendish. I'm located in Pasadena, CA, zone 10. Curious as to whether any one has tried using ollas (clay pots) for watering. Appreciate the help! Sharon

05-10-2009, 01:58 PM	#2 (permalink)
Patty in Wisc tropical nut Patty in Wisc's Photo Gallery Zone: 5 Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 3,115 BananaBucks : 347,740 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 2,946 Times Was Thanked 2,510 Times in 1,203 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 69 Times	Re: Olla, clay pot irrigation question Hi Sharon, welcome! I never heard of "ollas" but clay pots are fine. You will have to water more though as they are porous. But, why don't you plant your nanas in the ground - living in zone 10? __________________ Got a lite? Patty ____ Patty in Wisc has sadly passed away 9/05/11. We will miss you Patty.

05-10-2009, 02:22 PM	#3 (permalink)
rubysgarden Location: Pasadena, CA Zone: 10 / Sunset 21 Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 3 BananaBucks : 5,871 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 0 Times Was Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Olla, clay pot irrigation question Thanks Patty! Tried to think of as much detail to post, so it would be clear... I am planting in the ground! The ollas would be for under ground watering. It's like a terra cotta pumpkin with a neck. You sink the pot in the ground, up to the neck, then fill with water. It will slowly leak out to keep the plant(s) nearby watered. I hear it works great for tomatoes... Am guessing it might work great for bananas- moist but not soggy (so I hear...) It is also supposedly good for water conservation- as it does not evaporate as much (as hand or drip irrigation.)

05-10-2009, 03:50 PM	#4 (permalink)
lorax Banned lorax's Photo Gallery Location: Ecuador, South America Find me on the map! Zone: USDA 13 / Köppen-Geiger BSh Name: Lorax Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 2,532 BananaBucks : 310,042 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 742 Times Was Thanked 3,040 Times in 1,188 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 464 Times	Re: Olla, clay pot irrigation question I've used Ollas, and I find them to be very effective unless I'm in desert or semidesert conditions. They're fantastic for things like strawberries and bananas, which need a constant source of moisture to do well.

05-10-2009, 04:10 PM	#5 (permalink)
rubysgarden Location: Pasadena, CA Zone: 10 / Sunset 21 Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 3 BananaBucks : 5,871 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 0 Times Was Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Olla, clay pot irrigation question Thanks Lorax! Think I will start using them in different parts of the garden and see what happens!

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05-10-2009, 04:44 PM	#6 (permalink)
lorax Banned lorax's Photo Gallery Location: Ecuador, South America Find me on the map! Zone: USDA 13 / Köppen-Geiger BSh Name: Lorax Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 2,532 BananaBucks : 310,042 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 742 Times Was Thanked 3,040 Times in 1,188 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 464 Times	Re: Olla, clay pot irrigation question I should say that I particularly like them for when I'm going to be away from the garden for a while; I don't have to worry about rainfall if I fill them up.

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