Terri

I have a Mekong Giant banana tree. Most yrs it grows about 8 feet tall in the summer, and then I bring a pup inside to plant out the next spring. Any Mekong Giant left outside will die during the winter. They are said to be a hardy banana, but most years it gets below 0 degrees and it is not hardy enough to winter outside.

Last summer was cool and overcast, and the tree stayed very small. So, instead of bringing a potted pup inside for the winter I brought in the entire plant.

This summer it is supposed to be hot and sunny, and I want to see how BIG I can grow it! That means being generous with the water and the fertilizer. But... how much fertilizer is too much?

Right now the plant is only 3 feet tall but it is healthy. It simply grew slowly last year because we did not get much sun: as result none of my tropical vegetables did well either. Salad plants loved the weather: the tropical hated it!

So, right now it is spring in Kansas, and the weather is mostly between 40 degrees and 90 degrees. It is overcast, as it is most springs. And, the banana was planted outside last week and it seems to appreciate the rain: leastwise it is putting out 2 new leaves.

Any comments on how much fertilization I can get away with?????? As rule of thumb, summer weather usually has highs of 90's and lows in the 60's and 70's!