muffen

I was given five banana plants back in march. They were all growing in one big banana grove. I have no clue what kind of banana they are. I am 90% sure all of the banana's at this person's house were the same type. He had some in pots in doors which had leaves touching the ceiling and a corm outdorrs that was at least 5 feet tall. All of the banana corms were dormant when I moved them to my house but started growing leaves within about two weeks. I live in Tucson so the summers get VERY hot. There fore I planted them on the east side of the house so they wouldn't receive the most intense rays in the afternoon. They are also mostly out of the wind in this spot. I water them with a slow drip/flow for 20min-1hr daily. The leaves look happy with only occasional scrotching on the newest leaves. I also fertilize with at 3Tbl spoons of palm tree food once a week. My question is...I have had these bananas since march and they are still under three feet tall. Is there anything else I can do for them or should I just be patient?

mikevan

In spite of the heat, I'd make sure you're not overwatering them. Overwatering will stunt nanners for certain. It's easy to water more when you see growth slow down for certain, but sometimes it's a matter of watering less. Feel the soil - it should be moist - but not sopping wet. Be sure that they've got good drainage and rather than daily watering, consider a thick mulch and a less frequent but deeper drip watering. For instance - my grapes in the currently hellish heat of Texas summer get watered very deeply every 4 or 5 days and they're practically jumping out of the ground. My nanners are containerized, but even then I only water them when their soil feels dry - usually every 3 days or so. Be sure to make sure they have plenty of organic matter and compost too. That's the best plant-food.

Good luck
Mike

Carolina

What kind of soil do you have there in Tucson? Just wondering... cuz.. not to argue with Mike but, I'd be more inclined to say water, water, water. Even an hour on a drip doesn't sound like much especially if you have sand.

I'm sure someone else will chime in to give their two cents worth, Muffen.

momoese

A few things to think about.

What is your soil like? Drainage and organic material are important.

How much water? Once established they love water.

What is in the food? NPK numbers

How dry is the air? A misting system may be needed.

Bananas do not like shade, even in the heat of AZ. You might be better off planting them in full sun and stretching a shade cloth made for gardening over them to reduce the exposeure just a bit.

muffen

Thanks guys. I'll have to check the soil. I have some what of a sandy soil with moderate drainage. The strangest thing to me is that I am still getting one leave per plant a week, each leaf just isn't any bigger than the previous leaf.

mikevan

A leaf per week is fairly normal. Perhaps in this case patience would be prudent? But, be sure to make sure the soil isn't too wet or too dry and provide tons of compost - the more the merrier! Lotsa compost. Corm size plays a bit part in how fast a nanner will get big - it may be that since yours is a new planting it will take a bit longer than an existing mature corm will provide.

Be well,
Mike

BobbyinNY

all I can say with regards to watering is.... It all depends on the conditions.... If they're growing like crazy and you can see the water being absorbed, then replenish it... If it's growing slowly and the top inch or 2 is still moist, then don't... I agree with Mike in that Overwatering is the WORST thing you can do - especially if its not in the blazing sun and intense heat. My bananas have been growing like weeds, but I have them in full sun, 90-95f during the day and 75-80f/night temps.... When the night temps drop into the 60's the growth slows down a little - So I would just monitor them.... Also, if they're potted and just dragging along, I would repot (not necessarily larger) with different soil - I did this with one of my dwarf cavendish and it took off like a rocket after sitting in that pot for a year.