Re: how far apart should they be??
Since most of us are not commercial growers, we don't have to necessarily adhere to the commercial growers guidelines. The commercial plant spacings are carefully calculated for close to maximum density while still giving close to maximum fruit production.
Example: If you space so you can put in just one more row of plants, the closer spacing could introduce more shade reducing fruit production on the whole to below the levels with one less row of plants. Space too wide and you 'waste' sunlight on the open ground. Throw in machinery widths and you come up with a 'set' spacing for commercial crops.
Most home gardeners would like to get maximum fruit production, but just getting a flower and fruit to ripen without a greenhouse is challenging below zones 9-10. Shade introduced by the neighbors 60' tall elm tree also has an effect. You don't want to get edible varieties too close to each other if you will actually have decent fruit production.
Ornamentals can most likely be placed as close as the rootzones of the plants can stand. Spacing will boil down to actual crowding, pushing, and shoving. Most are small anyway. This type of planting will need additional attention due to the possible increased need for water and nutrients. I am planning 5-7 different varieties of ornamental bananas for a bed 4' wide and 10' long. I'll interplant with other cover plants.
Just my $.02
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Originally Posted by pitangadiego
There is no excuse for still having grass. I haven't mowed in 20 years. With all that space, I could plant another 100 bananas.
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