New to Bananas

jpeteintulsa · 02-21-2009, 09:35 PM

I am new to bananas. Just ordered two. Rajapuri and Dwarf Cavendish. I would like to read up or get advice on soil preparation and planting. Any suggestions or instruction would be great.

Tog Tan · 02-22-2009, 03:51 AM

Hi jpeteintulsa and welcome to the board! Help will be on the way before you know it!

Worm_Farmer · 02-22-2009, 02:15 PM

I mix up potting soil, worm castings, aged horse manure(mixed with saw dust), and crushed egg shells Also if I have some in the house I will throw in some Bone Meal, and Root Enhancer. And mulch with grass clippings and aged horse manure, and trimmings from the plant. I will cut back yellow or dead leafs and dice up the stalk and use it as a mulch also.

saltydad · 02-22-2009, 02:33 PM

Howdy. Knowing where you live and what type of soil, climate, etc. will help greatly in any advice.

Edit- Duh- I just figured out your screen name. Brain is running on Sunday metabolism.

Bob · 02-22-2009, 04:25 PM

Hi jpeteintulsa, are you planning on growing them in pots, the ground or combination(ground in summer pots in winter)? Right off the bat ,whatever you do provide enough ammendments to your soil or potting mix to allow good drainage and still hold water. Best of luck with your plants.

Caloosamusa · 02-22-2009, 06:40 PM

Welcome to the organization jpeteintulsa,

JPete Is that Tulsa Oklahoma? Without knowing soil type and conditions advice would be very general and not specific to your growing conditions.

Best wishes to you and welcome to the organization!

chong · 02-22-2009, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saltydad

Howdy. Knowing where you live and what type of soil, climate, etc. will help greatly in any advice.

Edit- Duh- I just figured out your screen name. Brain is running on Sunday metabolism.

Ahoy! Mr. Howard,
Reminds me of the old adage, "Who in the name of Dickens wrote 'A Tale of Two Cities'?"

New Avatar - Very nice!

STERLING · 02-22-2009, 08:03 PM

welcome im new too! we have a lot to learn together!

Michael_Andrew · 02-22-2009, 10:36 PM

If it's Tulsa, Ok. you can get your soil tested by the Extension Office. I know a lot of Oklahoma has the red clay.

Info here:
TULSA MASTER GARDENERS - SOIL TEST

mskitty38583 · 02-22-2009, 10:39 PM

a big welcome to both of yall!

jpeteintulsa · 02-23-2009, 06:03 PM

I guess I should have put more information in my post. Sorry. I am here in Tulsa Oklahoma. I would like to leave the plants in the ground year round, if possible. I know I will have to make a pseudo green house for them during the winter, unless the group would suggest digging them up. If I do dig up and put in pots, can they be placed in a dark area like a garage?

Soil here isn't the best. Clay mostly so holding water isn't a problem. I have done other gardening and had to dig out clay and replace with some sand, aggregate, compost and potting soil to get a good soil/base.

Michael_Andrew · 02-23-2009, 07:07 PM

Clay
Clayground gets hard when dry and also contains less oxygen. When there is a lot of rain, the roots will stand in the water and die or will suffer for diseases. When you make a planting hole you can add sand and compost but you must make sure there is good drainage at the bottom of the hole because water from the surrounding area can fill the hole and than you achieved the opposite from what you wanted.

see more here: Info:Soil - Bananas Wiki

sirmoebly · 02-23-2009, 10:15 PM

"Raised beds" always works......Always know your low spots in your yard & stay away from them.....Just a thought......

Bob · 02-24-2009, 11:01 AM

Jpintulsa, I doubt in your zone (is it a "warm" zone 7?) the hoop house will do the trick on its own for these varieties. A single layer of plastic will only provide a few degrees of added warmth at night. Hoop houses also would cost a fortune to heat. Probably do just the trick for basjoo or sikkimensis though. Let us know how it goes.

Patty in Wisc · 03-15-2009, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpeteintulsa

If I do dig up and put in pots, can they be placed in a dark area like a garage?

Yes. Keep temps 40* or higher & give very little water. They will go dormant.

02-21-2009, 09:35 PM	#1 (permalink)
jpeteintulsa Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 4 BananaBucks : 17,469 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 15 Times Was Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	New to Bananas I am new to bananas. Just ordered two. Rajapuri and Dwarf Cavendish. I would like to read up or get advice on soil preparation and planting. Any suggestions or instruction would be great.

02-22-2009, 03:51 AM	#2 (permalink)
Tog Tan Ensete nut Tog Tan's Photo Gallery Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Name: Tog Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 1,757 BananaBucks : 438,970 Feedback: 2 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1,011 Times Was Thanked 2,723 Times in 787 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 204 Times	Re: New to Bananas Hi jpeteintulsa and welcome to the board! Help will be on the way before you know it! __________________ ____ Tog Tan has sadly suddenly passed away 6/16/09. We will miss you Tog Tan.

02-22-2009, 02:15 PM	#3 (permalink)
Worm_Farmer Worm_Farmer 's Photo Gallery Location: Palm Bay, FL Zone: 9b Name: Mike Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 1,533 BananaBucks : 52,187 Feedback: 14 / 100% Said "Thanks" 5,326 Times Was Thanked 1,830 Times in 679 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2,866 Times	Re: New to Bananas I mix up potting soil, worm castings, aged horse manure(mixed with saw dust), and crushed egg shells Also if I have some in the house I will throw in some Bone Meal, and Root Enhancer. And mulch with grass clippings and aged horse manure, and trimmings from the plant. I will cut back yellow or dead leafs and dice up the stalk and use it as a mulch also.

02-22-2009, 02:33 PM	#4 (permalink)
saltydad saltydad's Photo Gallery Location: Silver Spring, Maryland USA Find me on the map! Zone: 7a Name: Howard Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 4,552 BananaBucks : 186,724 Feedback: 2 / 100% Said "Thanks" 14,712 Times Was Thanked 4,662 Times in 1,778 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 824 Times	Re: New to Bananas Howdy. Knowing where you live and what type of soil, climate, etc. will help greatly in any advice. Edit- Duh- I just figured out your screen name. Brain is running on Sunday metabolism. __________________ Men In Nursing- "A Few Good Men" "Gardening is the purest of human pleasures." - Francis Bacon "If by a liberal, they mean someone who looks ahead and not behind; someone who welcomes new ideas without rigid reactions; someone who cares about the welfare of the people, their health, their housing, their schools, their jobs, their civil rights, their civil liberties; someone who believes we can break through the stalemate and suspicion that grips us; that is what they meant by a liberal, I am proud to be a liberal." John F. Kennedy, September, 1960 http://flickr.com/photos/saltydad/ and http://community.webshots.com/user/saltydad http://s751.photobucket.com/albums/xx151/saltydad/

02-22-2009, 04:25 PM	#5 (permalink)
Bob Orang Puteh Bob's Photo Gallery Location: Washington Twp N.J. Find me on the map! Zone: 6a Name: bob Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 3,528 BananaBucks : 209,952 Feedback: 12 / 100% Said "Thanks" 9,537 Times Was Thanked 4,058 Times in 1,694 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 565 Times	Re: New to Bananas Hi jpeteintulsa, are you planning on growing them in pots, the ground or combination(ground in summer pots in winter)? Right off the bat ,whatever you do provide enough ammendments to your soil or potting mix to allow good drainage and still hold water. Best of luck with your plants. __________________

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02-22-2009, 06:40 PM	#6 (permalink)
Caloosamusa Caloosamusa's Photo Gallery Find me on the map! Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 3,578 BananaBucks : 28,189 Feedback: 1 / 67% Said "Thanks" 3,829 Times Was Thanked 1,556 Times in 675 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 334 Times	Re: New to Bananas Welcome to the organization jpeteintulsa, JPete Is that Tulsa Oklahoma? Without knowing soil type and conditions advice would be very general and not specific to your growing conditions. Best wishes to you and welcome to the organization!

02-22-2009, 08:03 PM	#8 (permalink)
STERLING luvs tropicals STERLING's Photo Gallery Location: CHARLESTON, SC Find me on the map! Zone: 8 Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 86 BananaBucks : 8,054 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 0 Times Was Thanked 23 Times in 7 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: New to Bananas welcome im new too! we have a lot to learn together!

02-22-2009, 10:36 PM	#9 (permalink)
Michael_Andrew Michael_Andrew's Photo Gallery Location: Toledo, Ohio Find me on the map! Zone: 6 Name: Michael Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 517 BananaBucks : 68,939 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 248 Times Was Thanked 384 Times in 182 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 226 Times	Re: New to Bananas If it's Tulsa, Ok. you can get your soil tested by the Extension Office. I know a lot of Oklahoma has the red clay. Info here: TULSA MASTER GARDENERS - SOIL TEST

02-22-2009, 10:39 PM	#10 (permalink)
mskitty38583 banana junkie mskitty38583 's Photo Gallery Location: north carolina Find me on the map! Zone: 7b Name: mskitty Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 4,071 BananaBucks : 195,024 Feedback: 26 / 100% Said "Thanks" 82 Times Was Thanked 890 Times in 617 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 136 Times	Re: New to Bananas a big welcome to both of yall! __________________ WELCOME TO THE GATOR NATION

02-23-2009, 06:03 PM	#11 (permalink)
jpeteintulsa Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 4 BananaBucks : 17,469 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 15 Times Was Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: New to Bananas I guess I should have put more information in my post. Sorry. I am here in Tulsa Oklahoma. I would like to leave the plants in the ground year round, if possible. I know I will have to make a pseudo green house for them during the winter, unless the group would suggest digging them up. If I do dig up and put in pots, can they be placed in a dark area like a garage? Soil here isn't the best. Clay mostly so holding water isn't a problem. I have done other gardening and had to dig out clay and replace with some sand, aggregate, compost and potting soil to get a good soil/base.

02-23-2009, 07:07 PM	#12 (permalink)
Michael_Andrew Michael_Andrew's Photo Gallery Location: Toledo, Ohio Find me on the map! Zone: 6 Name: Michael Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 517 BananaBucks : 68,939 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 248 Times Was Thanked 384 Times in 182 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 226 Times	Re: New to Bananas Clay Clayground gets hard when dry and also contains less oxygen. When there is a lot of rain, the roots will stand in the water and die or will suffer for diseases. When you make a planting hole you can add sand and compost but you must make sure there is good drainage at the bottom of the hole because water from the surrounding area can fill the hole and than you achieved the opposite from what you wanted. see more here: Info:Soil - Bananas Wiki

02-23-2009, 10:15 PM	#13 (permalink)
sirmoebly sirmoebly's Photo Gallery Location: Oak Harbor, Ohio Find me on the map! Zone: 6 Name: Moe Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 378 BananaBucks : 24,288 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 181 Times Was Thanked 160 Times in 92 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 7 Times	Re: New to Bananas "Raised beds" always works......Always know your low spots in your yard & stay away from them.....Just a thought......

02-24-2009, 11:01 AM	#14 (permalink)
Bob Orang Puteh Bob's Photo Gallery Location: Washington Twp N.J. Find me on the map! Zone: 6a Name: bob Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 3,528 BananaBucks : 209,952 Feedback: 12 / 100% Said "Thanks" 9,537 Times Was Thanked 4,058 Times in 1,694 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 565 Times	Re: New to Bananas Jpintulsa, I doubt in your zone (is it a "warm" zone 7?) the hoop house will do the trick on its own for these varieties. A single layer of plastic will only provide a few degrees of added warmth at night. Hoop houses also would cost a fortune to heat. Probably do just the trick for basjoo or sikkimensis though. Let us know how it goes. __________________

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