Using Miracle Grow 24-8-16

Pallen · 01-20-2014, 12:15 AM

~ My plants are not growing very fast and are producing smaller leafs. The SDC Banana plant has not grown much in the last few weeks. As I feel I am getting most of the light to my plants as is possible for me to provide (14 hrs. on of a 4ft. 6 tube T5 6400K fixture). I feel my weakest point is not enough fertilizer based on my research here at Bananas.org. The Natural Dr. Earth 6-4-6 tropical fertilizer I bought is not enough and it is not water soluable so is not being released/absorbed into the soil as fast as the plant needs it. Banana plants needs a LOT of nutrients and they want it now

~ For plant growth it seems an ideal choice for my Banana plants would be Grow More Fertilizer with an N-P-K of 20-6-16. As shipping cost can almost be as much or more than the product itself at "Plants that Produce". The closest to this ideal product I have found locally is Miracle Gro All Purpose Plant Food, 5 lb (product #1001232) at 24-8-16.

~ I purchased and fed my Cavendish some Miracle Grow at the rate of ONE Tablespoon 24-8-16 to ONE Gallon of water. (I also purchased a galvanized one gallon watering can) This is more than the recommended amount on the packaging but I wanted to give my plant a good boost. The package states 1 teaspoon per Gallon for indoor potted plants. I will at least reduce this amount to 2 teaspoons per Gallon even if I do feed my SD Cavendish more than the recommended amount. Ideas from others with success at other feeding rates are welcome.

~ To encourage the fruiting phase I have not yet found a local alternative to Fruit Gel with an N-P-K of 16-8-24. I will keep an eye out for something but it appears it is without a local equal. Suggestions welcome.

Super Dwarf Cavendish fed with Miracle Grow 24-8-16 and new watering can

Richard · 01-20-2014, 12:56 AM

For the amount of light you are providing the plant I recommend you cut the dosage to 1 tsp / gallon.

amantedelenguaje · 01-20-2014, 11:46 AM

Your SDC is beautiful. How old is it? Any fruit in the past?

Pallen · 01-20-2014, 12:25 PM

~ It was a gift from my wife in the form a 4" start from Logee's in June 2013. If you want its entire history visit my Banana Blog

~ No it has never fruited yet, but perhaps this summer?? I look forward to when it warms up and I roll it back outside

and it can get some good outside light to see its growth.

~ It has five Pups though and I have a waiting list for those that would like a puppy. I am not an expert but I really think one of them(as seen in picture) would have a large enough corm to survive separation from Mom. Assisting the birthing of my first pup will be a big and scary experience for Dad.

~ I have thought about making a hoop greenhouse to start a plant pup outside and then mulching it through the days it freezes during the winter. We only get a few freezing weeks and usually only lasts a few days at a time, perhaps a week at a time. It will definitely go into hibernation but it will have a good chance at survival in our area if I exercise proper care.

This would be a new growing experience for me. This will be researched further in another thread when the time comes.

Pallen · 01-26-2014, 01:27 PM

I now have some Fruit Fuel. I look forward to it helping my SDC along to its blooming stage. Miracle grow works great for my other plants.

pnwpdf · 06-21-2014, 01:23 AM

How has the Miracle Grow formula been working for you? Did you get any leaf burn after you brought it outside? Lots of new growth?

Pallen · 06-21-2014, 03:33 AM

Actually I have not taken it outside yet. I was just thinking about moving him out today. It has grown quite a lot over the winter but I do need to get it outside to some better light. I have been using the Fruit Fuel for my banana tree and using the Miracle Grow for our other plants. I guess I will have to get back to this post after it has been outside a while with how he takes to the outdoors.

Here is a more up to date picture (along with my wife) in its new pot to compare its growth with over the winter. I have one pup in another pot and before long I will need to divide off some more.

Pallen · 06-23-2014, 11:30 AM

Moved Caven outside, gave him a good watering and fertilized him.

Hammocked Banana · 06-23-2014, 05:13 PM

Becareful with sun burn. Don't want to make that beautiful plant ugly! I would place it in filtered light for the first week or so.

Pallen · 08-16-2014, 09:31 PM

Doing quite well outside.

This is soon after I put it outside. I removed the two largest pups when they got over a foot and planted them in the ground. The smaller center pup will be removed later.

When this next pup got to over a foot I removed and planted him in the ground. I learned today a may have homes for the pups, meawhile they are learning to root on there own.

Snookie · 08-17-2014, 01:43 PM

Groovy...Looks Great!

cincinnana · 08-17-2014, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pallen

Doing quite well outside.

This is soon after I put it outside. I removed the two largest pups when they got over a foot and planted them in the ground. The smaller center pup will be removed later.

When this next pup got to over a foot I removed and planted him in the ground. I learned today a may have homes for the pups, meawhile they are learning to root on there own.

Awesome....

Pallen · 08-17-2014, 08:19 PM

Here is a shot I took today, I am pleased with its growth but, it is now blooming time to let up on making more pups. I have removed three of them now that have gotten over a foot tall. Oh, well I will just appreciate the bloom all the more when it happens. I am going to have to make a hoop green house to protect it during the winter as it is just to big for our house. Don't get me wrong I am enjoying all its growth.

Hammocked Banana · 08-17-2014, 11:09 PM

Plant looks fantastic but im not sure a hoop house will be enough to keep it alive in your area. SDC do not tolerate freezes at all. Do u get many cold nights?

Pallen · 08-18-2014, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hammocked Banana

Plant looks fantastic but im not sure a hoop house will be enough to keep it alive in your area. SDC do not tolerate freezes at all. Do u get many cold nights?

As we are getting even more diverted off the topic of fertilizing than I already have already diverted from the subject myself I decided to take this to another thread: Winterizing an SDC in zone 8b just in case this thread has any hope of getting back on topic, can't say I did not try

01-20-2014, 12:15 AM	#1 (permalink)
Pallen Container SDC Hobbyist Location: Eugene, OR, USA Find me on the map! Zone: 8b Name: Paullen Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 138 BananaBucks : 32,083 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 573 Times Was Thanked 241 Times in 82 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 113 Times	Using Miracle Grow 24-8-16 ~ My plants are not growing very fast and are producing smaller leafs. The SDC Banana plant has not grown much in the last few weeks. As I feel I am getting most of the light to my plants as is possible for me to provide (14 hrs. on of a 4ft. 6 tube T5 6400K fixture). I feel my weakest point is not enough fertilizer based on my research here at Bananas.org. The Natural Dr. Earth 6-4-6 tropical fertilizer I bought is not enough and it is not water soluable so is not being released/absorbed into the soil as fast as the plant needs it. Banana plants needs a LOT of nutrients and they want it now ~ For plant growth it seems an ideal choice for my Banana plants would be Grow More Fertilizer with an N-P-K of 20-6-16. As shipping cost can almost be as much or more than the product itself at "Plants that Produce". The closest to this ideal product I have found locally is Miracle Gro All Purpose Plant Food, 5 lb (product #1001232) at 24-8-16. ~ I purchased and fed my Cavendish some Miracle Grow at the rate of ONE Tablespoon 24-8-16 to ONE Gallon of water. (I also purchased a galvanized one gallon watering can) This is more than the recommended amount on the packaging but I wanted to give my plant a good boost. The package states 1 teaspoon per Gallon for indoor potted plants. I will at least reduce this amount to 2 teaspoons per Gallon even if I do feed my SD Cavendish more than the recommended amount. Ideas from others with success at other feeding rates are welcome. ~ To encourage the fruiting phase I have not yet found a local alternative to Fruit Gel with an N-P-K of 16-8-24. I will keep an eye out for something but it appears it is without a local equal. Suggestions welcome. Super Dwarf Cavendish fed with Miracle Grow 24-8-16 and new watering can __________________ It all started with one Super Dwarf Cavendish pup (My Blog) Last edited by Pallen : 01-23-2014 at 01:36 PM.

01-20-2014, 12:56 AM	#2 (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 : 561,111 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: Using Miracle Grow 24-8-16 For the amount of light you are providing the plant I recommend you cut the dosage to 1 tsp / gallon. __________________ Back in business at plantsthatproduce.com

01-20-2014, 11:46 AM	#3 (permalink)
amantedelenguaje amantedelenguaje Zone: 7 Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 333 BananaBucks : 34,667 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 832 Times Was Thanked 599 Times in 200 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1,393 Times	Re: Using Miracle Grow 24-8-16 Your SDC is beautiful. How old is it? Any fruit in the past? __________________

01-20-2014, 12:25 PM	#4 (permalink)
Pallen Container SDC Hobbyist Location: Eugene, OR, USA Find me on the map! Zone: 8b Name: Paullen Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 138 BananaBucks : 32,083 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 573 Times Was Thanked 241 Times in 82 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 113 Times	Re: Using Miracle Grow 24-8-16 ~ It was a gift from my wife in the form a 4" start from Logee's in June 2013. If you want its entire history visit my Banana Blog ~ No it has never fruited yet, but perhaps this summer?? I look forward to when it warms up and I roll it back outside and it can get some good outside light to see its growth. ~ It has five Pups though and I have a waiting list for those that would like a puppy. I am not an expert but I really think one of them(as seen in picture) would have a large enough corm to survive separation from Mom. Assisting the birthing of my first pup will be a big and scary experience for Dad. ~ I have thought about making a hoop greenhouse to start a plant pup outside and then mulching it through the days it freezes during the winter. We only get a few freezing weeks and usually only lasts a few days at a time, perhaps a week at a time. It will definitely go into hibernation but it will have a good chance at survival in our area if I exercise proper care. This would be a new growing experience for me. This will be researched further in another thread when the time comes. __________________ It all started with one Super Dwarf Cavendish pup (My Blog) Last edited by Pallen : 01-20-2014 at 12:39 PM.

01-26-2014, 01:27 PM	#5 (permalink)
Pallen Container SDC Hobbyist Location: Eugene, OR, USA Find me on the map! Zone: 8b Name: Paullen Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 138 BananaBucks : 32,083 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 573 Times Was Thanked 241 Times in 82 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 113 Times	Re: Using Miracle Grow 24-8-16 I now have some Fruit Fuel. I look forward to it helping my SDC along to its blooming stage. Miracle grow works great for my other plants. __________________ It all started with one Super Dwarf Cavendish pup (My Blog) Last edited by Pallen : 06-23-2014 at 11:14 AM. Reason: correction

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06-21-2014, 01:23 AM	#6 (permalink)
pnwpdf I like BIG LEAVES! Location: Vancouver, WA Zone: 8b Name: Justin Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 14 BananaBucks : 4,578 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 3 Times Was Thanked 21 Times in 9 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 12 Times	Re: Using Miracle Grow 24-8-16 How has the Miracle Grow formula been working for you? Did you get any leaf burn after you brought it outside? Lots of new growth? __________________ Going Bananas... -M Basjoo -M xishuangbannaensis 'Mekong Giant' -M sikkimensis 'Red Tiger' -M 'Texas Star' -M 'Dwarf Orinoco' -M 'Thai Black' -Musella lasiocarpa

06-21-2014, 03:33 AM	#7 (permalink)
Pallen Container SDC Hobbyist Location: Eugene, OR, USA Find me on the map! Zone: 8b Name: Paullen Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 138 BananaBucks : 32,083 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 573 Times Was Thanked 241 Times in 82 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 113 Times	Re: Using Miracle Grow 24-8-16 Actually I have not taken it outside yet. I was just thinking about moving him out today. It has grown quite a lot over the winter but I do need to get it outside to some better light. I have been using the Fruit Fuel for my banana tree and using the Miracle Grow for our other plants. I guess I will have to get back to this post after it has been outside a while with how he takes to the outdoors. Here is a more up to date picture (along with my wife) in its new pot to compare its growth with over the winter. I have one pup in another pot and before long I will need to divide off some more. __________________ It all started with one Super Dwarf Cavendish pup (My Blog) Last edited by Pallen : 06-21-2014 at 03:41 AM. Reason: Swapped photos

06-23-2014, 11:30 AM	#8 (permalink)
Pallen Container SDC Hobbyist Location: Eugene, OR, USA Find me on the map! Zone: 8b Name: Paullen Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 138 BananaBucks : 32,083 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 573 Times Was Thanked 241 Times in 82 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 113 Times	Re: Using Miracle Grow 24-8-16 Moved Caven outside, gave him a good watering and fertilized him. __________________ It all started with one Super Dwarf Cavendish pup (My Blog)

06-23-2014, 05:13 PM	#9 (permalink)
Hammocked Banana Relaxin Under the Nanners Location: Toronto, ON and Peterborough, ON Find me on the map! Zone: 6a and 5a respectively Name: Brady Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 958 BananaBucks : 54,601 Feedback: 2 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,178 Times Was Thanked 1,156 Times in 555 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 30 Times	Re: Using Miracle Grow 24-8-16 Becareful with sun burn. Don't want to make that beautiful plant ugly! I would place it in filtered light for the first week or so.

08-16-2014, 09:31 PM	#10 (permalink)
Pallen Container SDC Hobbyist Location: Eugene, OR, USA Find me on the map! Zone: 8b Name: Paullen Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 138 BananaBucks : 32,083 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 573 Times Was Thanked 241 Times in 82 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 113 Times	Re: Using Miracle Grow 24-8-16 Doing quite well outside. This is soon after I put it outside. I removed the two largest pups when they got over a foot and planted them in the ground. The smaller center pup will be removed later. When this next pup got to over a foot I removed and planted him in the ground. I learned today a may have homes for the pups, meawhile they are learning to root on there own. __________________ It all started with one Super Dwarf Cavendish pup (My Blog) Last edited by Pallen : 08-16-2014 at 09:54 PM. Reason: added details

08-17-2014, 01:43 PM	#11 (permalink)
Snookie Part Time Monkey Trainer Find me on the map! Zone: 9 Name: Snookie Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 1,391 BananaBucks : 350,141 Feedback: 2 / 100% Said "Thanks" 29 Times Was Thanked 1,925 Times in 769 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 41 Times	Re: Using Miracle Grow 24-8-16 Groovy...Looks Great! __________________ Mayor of Lizard Creek

08-17-2014, 08:19 PM	#13 (permalink)
Pallen Container SDC Hobbyist Location: Eugene, OR, USA Find me on the map! Zone: 8b Name: Paullen Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 138 BananaBucks : 32,083 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 573 Times Was Thanked 241 Times in 82 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 113 Times	Re: Using Miracle Grow 24-8-16 Here is a shot I took today, I am pleased with its growth but, it is now blooming time to let up on making more pups. I have removed three of them now that have gotten over a foot tall. Oh, well I will just appreciate the bloom all the more when it happens. I am going to have to make a hoop green house to protect it during the winter as it is just to big for our house. Don't get me wrong I am enjoying all its growth. __________________ It all started with one Super Dwarf Cavendish pup (My Blog) Last edited by Pallen : 08-17-2014 at 08:29 PM. Reason: added details

08-17-2014, 11:09 PM	#14 (permalink)
Hammocked Banana Relaxin Under the Nanners Location: Toronto, ON and Peterborough, ON Find me on the map! Zone: 6a and 5a respectively Name: Brady Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 958 BananaBucks : 54,601 Feedback: 2 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,178 Times Was Thanked 1,156 Times in 555 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 30 Times	Re: Using Miracle Grow 24-8-16 Plant looks fantastic but im not sure a hoop house will be enough to keep it alive in your area. SDC do not tolerate freezes at all. Do u get many cold nights?

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