Originally Posted by bepah

For most folks, planting bananas into the ground right from the will produce moderate and pleasing growth, providing a tropical look that lasts quite a while. In fact, if nothing else is done, with a little water, the banana plants will grow slowly and maintain their size, although a bit ragged.

I found way, however, this year, to truly accelerate the growth in my ice creams and would like to share. I had been watering and fertilizing lightly and frequently and the bananas grew a little each year. This year I became much more aggressive in feeding, with a bi-monthly application of 9-3-9 tropical fertilizer and over mulching with compost.........hubba-hubba!

My bananas have doubled in size and are pupping like crazy.......

A 20 minute application of work and the benefits are morew than amazing.

For all that think the water alone will turn the trick, think again.....you will get massive growth, a new leaf every day, and true bulk to your small banana grove.....

Originally Posted by Randy4ut

I will agree with you to a certain extent. Alot of growth and general health of your mat will depend greatly on the type of soil and its make up. Too much fert in a heavier soil will actually do more harm than good as the nutrients are not lost as quickly in heavier soils. I personally hardly ever fertilized mine except once every spring. This past year I tried to up the amounts and did a monthly application but stopped in the end of July. Started seeing too much burn on my leaves and thought I would back off and everything started looking better. I am still a believer that water is the single most important addition to any banana mat...
Just my opinion although it ain't worth a lot....