sashaeffer

Planted a mail order Dwarf Cavendish the other day and I want this to be a inside plant only as I don't want to go through the shock and stress that can happen by getting is used to outside, then trying to get it to grow well inside and the environment change.

My question is, when it's young like this and trying to establish itself does it hurt if it is outside like during the day, and inside at night. It would get a lot more sunlight outside even though I have one south facing window, which at this time of the year doesn't get any direct sun.

I don't want to screw this up, Advice?

I have it in good draining soil which really seems to hold moisture. Dry on top, but water probe says "wet" even days after initial watering. Seems like the cactus type potting soils really hold the moisture in longer than I would have thought. Probably why I lost a couple other baby hardy banana's...over watering when young and in too large of pots for them at the time.

Gabe15

Since it is so small, I would leave it inside in bright, indirect light for a couple weeks. Then, move it outside to a shady area, and over a couple weeks, slowly move it into higher and higher sunlight. Bringing it in and out every day won't really accomplish much. The main thing is to make sure it is not exposed to lots of direct sunlight before it gets a little bigger. Those small plants just came from a greenhouse and their leaves are not used to full sun. Normally, the plant will make new leaves which are suited to full sun, but at that small size it may kill the plant before it has a chance.

I would recommend acclimating it to being outside, leaving it outside for the summer, and then bringing it in once it starts to get cooler.

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sashaeffer

Thanks for the tips. I just had a concern about going from being a outside plant to a inside plant(where it would stay) and go through some sort of dormancy issue like I know my other banana plants will go through.

I'll let the little guy stay inside in a brighter room with no direct sun and wait till I see it throw off a leaf or two. Then I know it's happy and on its way.

Scott

oakshadows

I would take Gabe's advise, with his experience and knowledge it is surely something to listen to.

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tommyg

Great question and answer.
I am on the same boat with a very young couple of SDCs.

Thanks

T

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