making it hard

cherokee_greg · 09-17-2009, 11:11 AM

Ok here is whats going on. Im not very smart with this fertilizer thing. Heres were im at. I been growing plants for years. I never used fertilizer. Im new to bananas. I have been shopping for fertilizer for them. I could never find any of the ones allot of you recomended. Someone said the 2-1-3 was the best they say at the stores there is no such thing. What should I do they told me to get 10-10-10 at the store.
Help

JuniPerez · 09-17-2009, 12:15 PM

Isn't 10-10-10 straight up lawn fertilizer?

I've never heard everyone agree on just one ratio. I was told to use 15-5-30 (3:1:6), or 6-3-15 (2:1:5), or 24-8-16 (3:1:2), etc... the recommendation seems to vary depending on who I ask.

The one I buy from Stokes is their banana fertilizer (6-2-12 with minors). Don't know if it's the best, but it has worked well so far.

supermario · 09-17-2009, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cherokee_greg

Ok here is whats going on. Im not very smart with this fertilizer thing. Heres were im at. I been growing plants for years. I never used fertilizer. Im new to bananas. I have been shopping for fertilizer for them. I could never find any of the ones allot of you recomended. Someone said the 2-1-3 was the best they say at the stores there is no such thing. What should I do they told me to get 10-10-10 at the store.
Help

Im sure the person that told you 2-1-3 meant to say that is the ratio you want to look for. That is not the specifik NPK value. The 3 numbers are Nitrogen(N), Phosphorus(P), and Potassium(K). Most banana fertilizers are very high in potassium, some are high in nitrogen, and all are pretty low in phosphorus. So, at a 2-1-3 ratio you may find something like 10-5-15 or 16-8-24.. etc etc.

In a VERY general sense.. The important thing to remember is that bananas need plenty of K. So, the last number should always be the highest. The same can be said for most fruit trees, but bananas need more K than most.

I use 6-3-16 plus minors. I also apply additional potash during the late spring and summer months.

cherokee_greg · 09-17-2009, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by supermario

Im sure the person that told you 2-1-3 meant to say that is the ratio you want to look for. That is not the specifik NPK value. The 3 numbers are Nitrogen(N), Phosphorus(P), and Potassium(K). Most banana fertilizers are very high in potassium, some are high in nitrogen, and all are pretty low in phosphorus. So, at a 2-1-3 ratio you may find something like 10-5-15 or 16-8-24.. etc etc.

In a VERY general sense.. The important thing to remember is that bananas need plenty of K. So, the last number should always be the highest. The same can be said for most fruit trees, but bananas need more K than most.

I use 6-3-16 plus minors. I also apply additional potash during the late spring and summer months.

I checked out the stokes there kinda high priced. Is there any brand like from lowes or HD

Want Them All · 09-17-2009, 02:52 PM

Well, Osmocote (widely available at any store) is 14-14-14. I just bought 16-16-16 (forgot the manufacturer's name) at Lowes too. Richard, a knowledgeable member here, sells fertilizers as well. I bought some from him. These are all good choices.

damaclese · 09-17-2009, 03:17 PM

don't get all worried you will learn threw time how to best firtalize your plant the best advice i can give any one and this goes for all plants is watch them closely see how they respond to light heat cold water or Food they will show you if they are happy by growing well and vigorously if you do something and the plant doesn't respond or looks weirs then don't do that again its that simple its sorta trial and aror when you are new and if you kill a plant don't get discouraged buy a new one and try again sooner of later you will figure out how to best take care of it

Bananas are really vary hardy tropical plants the grow fast and die young thats there way so

I hope that helps i know it doesn't specifically answer you question but other on this thread already have i thought you sounded like you could use a pep talk more

cherokee_greg · 09-17-2009, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by damaclese

don't get all worried you will learn threw time how to best firtalize your plant the best advice i can give any one and this goes for all plants is watch them closely see how they respond to light heat cold water or Food they will show you if they are happy by growing well and vigorously if you do something and the plant doesn't respond or looks weirs then don't do that again its that simple its sorta trial and aror when you are new and if you kill a plant don't get discouraged buy a new one and try again sooner of later you will figure out how to best take care of it

Bananas are really vary hardy tropical plants the grow fast and die young thats there way so

I hope that helps i know it doesn't specifically answer you question but other on this thread already have i thought you sounded like you could use a pep talk more

Thank you. Yes I know in the back of my mind I keep telling myself to chill out LOL Im making it dificult. The bananas will be ok.

Thanks

supermario · 09-17-2009, 04:25 PM

Quote:

I checked out the stokes there kinda high priced. Is there any brand like from lowes or HD

Home Depot sells a fertilizer for Mango and Avocado trees. I believe it's 12-5-8 with minors. That should work for you.

stumpy4700 · 09-17-2009, 04:30 PM

HD and Lowes have MG Tomato food it will do in a pinch as the K is very high. But it is missing some of the minors and over time you will see a calcium deficincy. Wellspring100 on ebay has a good banana food. Just search banana fert on ebay and it should come up. Thats what I used this year and had a lot of growth.

sbl · 09-17-2009, 07:52 PM

The 2-1-3 ratio that was recommended is based on what the banana uses. You can use pretty much any ratio, but the excess will just be wasted and may contribute to eutrophication. For example, if you use 10-10-10, all of the K will be used and about 2/3s of the N, but 70 % of the P will be wasted. Also, There is a problem with excess P ---it can tie up minerals and make them unavailable to the plant. Excess N and excess K will pretty much just be washed away.

frog7994 · 09-17-2009, 09:10 PM

it seems to me that every one has there own idea about fertilizer I go with Don chafins personal brand from Going bananas(http://www.going-bananas.com/) i had no problems.

hammer · 09-17-2009, 09:19 PM

well i used 13-13-13 once a month and miracle grow for tomatoes once a month these has worked for me but every body has there on way. and i cant forget the horse crap they really love that.

Richard · 09-17-2009, 10:15 PM

Check out the nursery fertilizer list in the Wiki: Info:Fertilizer - Bananas Wiki

sbl · 09-18-2009, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frog7994

it seems to me that every one has there own idea about fertilizer I go with Don chafins personal brand from Going bananas(http://www.going-bananas.com/) i had no problems.

The website does not list the fertilizer--do you know what the ratio is?

frog7994 · 09-18-2009, 08:52 AM

Sorry I don't but when I go out side today I'll check the bag.

JuniPerez · 09-18-2009, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard

Check out the nursery fertilizer list in the Wiki: Info:Fertilizer - Bananas Wiki

Excellent info.... thanks...!!!

Now, question:

What do they mean by "fruiting" vs "ornamental"????
To me, many bananas people call ornamental give inedible fruit, but still it's a fruit. Or do they just mean edible "fruiting bananas" vs inedible fruiting "ornamentals"???? That's confusing.

cherokee_greg · 09-18-2009, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stumpy4700

HD and Lowes have MG Tomato food it will do in a pinch as the K is very high. But it is missing some of the minors and over time you will see a calcium deficincy. Wellspring100 on ebay has a good banana food. Just search banana fert on ebay and it should come up. Thats what I used this year and had a lot of growth.

I went with the Wellspring on EBay
Fertilizer - Banana Formula - 3 lbs.
15-5-30 Premium Water Soluble Fertilizer w/minor elements
Will see how it works.
Thanks again

Richard · 09-18-2009, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JuniPerez

Excellent info.... thanks...!!!

Now, question:

What do they mean by "fruiting" vs "ornamental"????
To me, many bananas people call ornamental give inedible fruit, but still it's a fruit. Or do they just mean edible "fruiting bananas" vs inedible fruiting "ornamentals"???? That's confusing.

You got it!

sbl · 09-18-2009, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cherokee_greg

I went with the Wellspring on EBay
Fertilizer - Banana Formula - 3 lbs.
15-5-30 Premium Water Soluble Fertilizer w/minor elements
Will see how it works.
Thanks again

That looks like a really good choice.

frog7994 · 09-18-2009, 02:43 PM

For going bananas firtilizer it's 6-2-12 thats what I use.

09-17-2009, 11:11 AM	#1 (permalink)
cherokee_greg Love those bananas cherokee_greg's Photo Gallery Location: Fresno,CA Find me on the map! Zone: zone 9 Name: Greg Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 4,357 BananaBucks : 297,000 Feedback: 2 / 100% Said "Thanks" 8,066 Times Was Thanked 3,946 Times in 1,665 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 335 Times	making it hard Ok here is whats going on. Im not very smart with this fertilizer thing. Heres were im at. I been growing plants for years. I never used fertilizer. Im new to bananas. I have been shopping for fertilizer for them. I could never find any of the ones allot of you recomended. Someone said the 2-1-3 was the best they say at the stores there is no such thing. What should I do they told me to get 10-10-10 at the store. Help __________________ Greg zone 9 Fresno,CA http://gardenjot.com/garden/view/1980/Gregs-Banana-Farm

09-17-2009, 12:15 PM	#2 (permalink)
JuniPerez Puerto Rican Gone Bananas JuniPerez's Photo Gallery Location: Rochester, NY Find me on the map! Zone: 6b Name: Juni Perez Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 313 BananaBucks : 80,521 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 153 Times Was Thanked 202 Times in 117 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 13 Times	Re: making it hard Isn't 10-10-10 straight up lawn fertilizer? I've never heard everyone agree on just one ratio. I was told to use 15-5-30 (3:1:6), or 6-3-15 (2:1:5), or 24-8-16 (3:1:2), etc... the recommendation seems to vary depending on who I ask. The one I buy from Stokes is their banana fertilizer (6-2-12 with minors). Don't know if it's the best, but it has worked well so far.

09-17-2009, 02:52 PM	#5 (permalink)
Want Them All Want Them All's Photo Gallery Location: Central California, USA Find me on the map! Zone: 9 Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 553 BananaBucks : 476,432 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3 Times Was Thanked 333 Times in 140 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: making it hard Well, Osmocote (widely available at any store) is 14-14-14. I just bought 16-16-16 (forgot the manufacturer's name) at Lowes too. Richard, a knowledgeable member here, sells fertilizers as well. I bought some from him. These are all good choices. __________________

09-17-2009, 03:17 PM	#6 (permalink)
damaclese Living in Exile damaclese's Photo Gallery Location: Henderson NV Find me on the map! Zone: 9 Mediterranean climate Name: Paulo Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 1,767 BananaBucks : 288,521 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 1,352 Times Was Thanked 1,620 Times in 706 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 101 Times	Re: making it hard don't get all worried you will learn threw time how to best firtalize your plant the best advice i can give any one and this goes for all plants is watch them closely see how they respond to light heat cold water or Food they will show you if they are happy by growing well and vigorously if you do something and the plant doesn't respond or looks weirs then don't do that again its that simple its sorta trial and aror when you are new and if you kill a plant don't get discouraged buy a new one and try again sooner of later you will figure out how to best take care of it Bananas are really vary hardy tropical plants the grow fast and die young thats there way so I hope that helps i know it doesn't specifically answer you question but other on this thread already have i thought you sounded like you could use a pep talk more __________________ Helping to foster understanding for the learning disabled

09-17-2009, 04:30 PM	#9 (permalink)
stumpy4700 Going Ape for Bananas stumpy4700 's Photo Gallery Location: Satellite Beach, Fla Find me on the map! Zone: Zone 10 Name: Stumpy-----a.k.a Jeff Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 1,194 BananaBucks : 38,796 Feedback: 3 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1,353 Times Was Thanked 678 Times in 349 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1,300 Times	Re: making it hard HD and Lowes have MG Tomato food it will do in a pinch as the K is very high. But it is missing some of the minors and over time you will see a calcium deficincy. Wellspring100 on ebay has a good banana food. Just search banana fert on ebay and it should come up. Thats what I used this year and had a lot of growth.

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09-17-2009, 07:52 PM	#10 (permalink)
sbl sbl's Photo Gallery Location: Pensacola, FL Find me on the map! Zone: 8/9 Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 1,013 BananaBucks : 67,151 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 177 Times Was Thanked 732 Times in 395 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 154 Times	Re: making it hard The 2-1-3 ratio that was recommended is based on what the banana uses. You can use pretty much any ratio, but the excess will just be wasted and may contribute to eutrophication. For example, if you use 10-10-10, all of the K will be used and about 2/3s of the N, but 70 % of the P will be wasted. Also, There is a problem with excess P ---it can tie up minerals and make them unavailable to the plant. Excess N and excess K will pretty much just be washed away.

09-17-2009, 09:10 PM	#11 (permalink)
frog7994 Junior Member frog7994's Photo Gallery Location: West Palm Beach Zone: 10 Name: james Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 506 BananaBucks : 9,689 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 21 Times Was Thanked 105 Times in 63 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 4 Times	Re: making it hard it seems to me that every one has there own idea about fertilizer I go with Don chafins personal brand from Going bananas(http://www.going-bananas.com/) i had no problems.

09-17-2009, 09:19 PM	#12 (permalink)
hammer Shannon hammer's Photo Gallery Location: Mountain Home, AR Find me on the map! Zone: 7 Name: Shannon Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 713 BananaBucks : 164,666 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 178 Times Was Thanked 571 Times in 253 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 12 Times	Re: making it hard well i used 13-13-13 once a month and miracle grow for tomatoes once a month these has worked for me but every body has there on way. and i cant forget the horse crap they really love that.

09-17-2009, 10:15 PM	#13 (permalink)
Richard un-Retired Richard's Photo Gallery Location: Vista, CA Find me on the map! Zone: USDA 10b Name: Richard Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 9,674 BananaBucks : 556,308 Feedback: 9 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,636 Times Was Thanked 12,543 Times in 4,721 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1,685 Times	Re: making it hard Check out the nursery fertilizer list in the Wiki: Info:Fertilizer - Bananas Wiki __________________ Back in business at plantsthatproduce.com

09-18-2009, 08:52 AM	#15 (permalink)
frog7994 Junior Member frog7994's Photo Gallery Location: West Palm Beach Zone: 10 Name: james Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 506 BananaBucks : 9,689 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 21 Times Was Thanked 105 Times in 63 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 4 Times	Re: making it hard Sorry I don't but when I go out side today I'll check the bag.

09-18-2009, 02:43 PM	#20 (permalink)
frog7994 Junior Member frog7994's Photo Gallery Location: West Palm Beach Zone: 10 Name: james Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 506 BananaBucks : 9,689 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 21 Times Was Thanked 105 Times in 63 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 4 Times	Re: making it hard For going bananas firtilizer it's 6-2-12 thats what I use.

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