bananimal

One level cup --- spread around the stems in the mat. Yields biggggg bunches.

edwmax

Do you use a nitrogen supplement with the 6-3-16? I ask because 1 cup (1 lb +/-) of the 6-3-16 applied monthly (6 or 8 mn) would only supply about 1/2 (+/-)of the nitrogen and 3/4 ths of the potassium the plant needs for the season.

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Stonefox

Hope this is not a silly question, but I have never had to feed anything that fruits before.

Concerning fertilizer application in the “OFF SEASON”.

Edwmax, you kindly share your fertilization for the 6 warm (growing) months of about 1 pound nitrogen per “growing season”.
Here in Natal, South Africa the coldest period historically is June, with daytime high of 22°C and night low of 14°C, and average of 19°C.

http://www.worldweatheronline.com/du...-natal/za.aspx

I do not recall if my Bananas actually stop growing in the “cold” months. Would I notice a lack of new leaves forming?

Is there a temperature at which they become dormant, or is it a reduction in daily light that is the trigger, or both?

How should I be fertilizing them during winter (April to Sept) if they are still active?
I have planted some Pawpaw seeds that have now reached about a foot height. I know they will continue to grow through winter. Can I feed them the 10-10-10 through winter?

edwmax

@ Stonefox

You seem to have a year round growing season. Banana dormancy depending on variety is about 10° - 15° C. Gros Michel a heat loving plant may go dormant a little higher. ... We push our bananas because our growing season is only about 6 months (or less) out of the year. This winter ALL my bananas froze and died back to the ground. I lost some very big pstems which should have been close to fruiting this spring. ...

So now to regrow those plants I have to push the new growth hard with lots of fertilizer. ... Many of us on this forum are 'Hobby Farmers" or 'Backyard Gardeners". We can afford spending a few extra $$$ on our FEW plants to see fast results. ... BUT, in your case this may not be the best or most economical way for a field with several thousand plants. Those few extra $$$ per plant for you is more likely a difference of loss or profit.

You have to work your economics and field management to be profitable and yield big heavy bunches. Yes, you should be dividing the fertilizer application over your 12 month growing season; may be 3 to 6 applications with a little heaver application during the most active months so fertilizer will be available to the plant year round. ... I'll also suggest may be using folar spray during the most active growing months along with some pesticide. The folar spray is near instant absorption and boost to the plant and very little lost to run-off or weeds. ... I doubt what I just wrote is any different than the recommendations by your local Ag Agency.

The simple answer to your question is: As long as the plants are active growing ... fertilize ... However with the above economics taken into consideration it not exactly that simple but more of timing/scheduling.

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Stonefox

@ Edwmax
Many thanks for the advice.

Can I make a folar spray by dissolving the urea, mono-ammonium phosphates, and Sulfate of potash from my bags of granules?
Any special concentration?

edwmax

Check with the manufacture, but these should be soluble.
urea = 1000g/L ; sop = 111g/L ; MAP = ???
Just strain to remove any solids.

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bananimal

Not so=====I want fruit not bigger pstems. 6/3/16 isn't called the "super fruiter" for nothing). Bunches are enormouse!!

sputinc7

While that is true, a friend of mine put it this way... Bananas have two stages, vegetative and fruiting / flowering... They must go through the vegetative one to get to the fruiting one. The faster they get through the vegetative stage, the sooner they get to the next one and plenty of nitrogen speeds up the vegetative process... Once they get to fruiting stage, stop the nitrogen and add extra MOP... Unless you are working on building your patience or just want them to take longer to fruit.

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If you lose your head and give up, you neither live nor win.

https://sputinc7.wixsite.com/covwc

Varieties I supposedly bought: Manzano, Cavendish, Blue Java, Sweetheart, and Gros Michel.
What it seems I actually have: Brazilian, Cavendish, Namwah, Dwarf Red, Gros Michel, Pisang Ceylon, Veinte Cohol and SH 3640, and American Goldfinger. FHIA 1, Paggi and FHIA 17... Always room for one more.

edwmax

6-3-16 Super Fruiter Diamond R was actually designed for Fruit Trees (hardwood type) more specifically citrus. These don't need as much nitrogen as Banana plants do. The citrus trees are fully grown and only put on new leaves and fruit each year.

Banana plants must regrow their trunks & leaves for each fruiting cycle. Thus need LOTS of nitrogen for the vegetative green growth about 1.5 lbs to 2 lbs. If you want to see enormous bunches, get the plant to its proper size then feed it the 6-3-16. Stop starving the growing plant which also effects bunch size.

Sputinc7's post is correct.

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edwmax

OH ... you need the bigger pstems for wind resistance (fla. her/him -icanes) and strength to support those BIG HEAVY Bunches.

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Akula

Bananimal's produces some huge bunches. No joke. I would be stoked to produce the size bunches shown in his photo gallery.

His banana patch is probably at a more or less stable state in regards to N if the leaves and trunk are composted/recycled back into the patch. Just needs a little N and a lot of K to replace what he takes out when he harvests his huge bunches. His location gets plenty of water and sun and he has a good length to his season so no worries there.

I'm just starting out and my location is less than ideal so I follow the 1lb/1.5lb N/K standard until I get more experience under my belt.

edwmax

They're getting the needed nitrogen from somewhere ...

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bananimal

My experience has been that the bigger the pstem the faster it will break in H-cane winds. PR Giants has the perfect solution.

When the storm is closing in push the pstem over. Lay it down to ground level. It will continue to grow. If fruit is on they will fill in nicely. Worked for me last year.

ALMOST FORGOT a small square of plywood under the bunch will slow down the bugs. But not the rabbits possums rats etc.