Sundra

So after giving up on e-bay, I finally placed an order for Variegated Florida from a Thailand shop about a month ago. The plant is due to ship later this month, (EMS of course!)

Here's where I'm having an moment

They ship bareroot. The webpage states absolutely no fertilzer until the plant has acclimated itself and put out decent new growth, approximately 3 new leaves.

I didn't think this was going to be an issue until i realized I can't for the life of me find potting soil without some form of fertilizer added or naturally occuring, anywhere!

My local soil is heavy clay so out of the question.

I thought I'd get clever and buy topsoil but that stuff is heavier than the dang clay soil.

Even amended with perlite, I just don't think those very heavy soils would be a good idea, not with how sensitive AeAe--even the hardier Florida strain-- are to root rot when young.

I did contact the shop owner, and he was very nice and quick to respond. Said to use ALL perlite. Hey, he probably knows what he's doing, his shop is long established and has a good reputation, but I'm feeling a bit apprehensive about it and thought I'd ask you guys first--and for alternatives.

So....

Those of you with Florida Variegated, did any of you also recieve yours bareroot? Or even if not, did any of you pot yours up right away? My obvious question: what freaking soil did you use?!



I'm not panicking at all...

Greenie

[/IMG]Congrats! Enjoy your variegated musa.

Just enjoy the process and don’t over think it.

I use the regular Miracle Gro yellow-green bag and add some perlite to the mix at like 3-1 ratio

Water it in good and enjoy....
[IMG][/IMG]

Iowa

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Growing Musa Orinoco since 1993 - Added 2018-Basjoo, Zebrina' Rojo, Ensete Red Abyssinian - Added 2019-Goldfinger - Added 2020-Kokopo (Short Cycle), Double (Mahoi), Highgate, Super Dwarf Cavendish - Added 2021-Pisang Ceylon(Mysore), Musa Margarita, Ensete Ventricosum - Added 2023 - Siam Ruby

Valor_X

I got mine as a sword pup rhizome with a cut stem and it took almost an entire month for it to push out of the old stem.

Here's what worked for me, I got some really good potting soil and did a 50/50 perlite mix so it's well draining. I also added more drain holes in the pot itself. My Florida has been growing like crazy and it loves it. You'll be fine with any compost potting soil, I wouldn't recommend topsoil because it can get compacted and hinder root growth.

However, the fertilizer statement is true. Mine already has 3 huge leaves on it and I gave it some water soluble fertilizer and it burned the leaves just a tiny bit, hardly noticeable but it's there.

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Varieties I'm Growing

From Corm/Pup
Dwarf Cavendish ○ Super Dwarf Cavendish ○ Grand Nain ○ Niño ○ Manzano ○ Raja Puri ○ Tall Namwah ○ Blue Java ○ 1000 Fingers ○ Praying Hands ○ Orinoco ○ Variegated Florida ○ PR Red ○ California Gold ○ FHIA-03 Sweetheart

Plantains
Puerto Rican Dwarf Plantain ○ African Rhino Horn

From TC
Truly Tiny ○ Manzano ○ "Blue Java" ○ Dwarf Namwah ○ Thai Black ○ Veinte Cohol

Iowa

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Growing Musa Orinoco since 1993 - Added 2018-Basjoo, Zebrina' Rojo, Ensete Red Abyssinian - Added 2019-Goldfinger - Added 2020-Kokopo (Short Cycle), Double (Mahoi), Highgate, Super Dwarf Cavendish - Added 2021-Pisang Ceylon(Mysore), Musa Margarita, Ensete Ventricosum - Added 2023 - Siam Ruby

edwmax

I agree with Iowa ... commercial potting soil is OK ... with or without fertilizer. Some of the Dollar store brands do not have or has very little fertilizer.

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Sundra

Thanks everyone for your very helpful replies


I found some potting soil called NK Organic Seed Starting Mix that doesn't appear to have any fertilizer, the ingrediants look good and it is very airy. To it will add perlite that is lightly fertlized, so it has a little *something* to start out with.

Re Miracle Gro. Oh yes, the rest of my banana plants are in half yellow miracle gro and half perlite and they go absolutely...well..you know

The Florida Variegated will definitly get potted in that once it gets going.


Wow Greenie those are some awesome strong roots. Beautiful plant!

cincinnana

Keep the soiless mix light....

AeAe pups in the soilless mix I use.
by
Hostafarian,
on Flickr


Healthy roots
by
Hostafarian,
on Flickr


You plant needs nothing special.....just a banana plant which costs little bit more.

Forum member Hmelendez has some great photos on his Fliker feed for growing his variegated plants from Thailand.
He also has some of the best posts for growing bare corms.

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NANAMAN

Trust the corm!

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cincinnana

Trust the soil...and corm


All in....

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Sundra

Those look awesome

Very encouraging seeing all these beautiful and healthy AeAe from various people with healthy roots!

Thank you I will look for the posts

Only 6 more days until it gets shipped, dun dun dun