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CoryS
05-16-2010, 11:05 AM
In brief, we moved into a new home and recieved a banana tree as a gift. We were told it's a dwarf cavendish if that makes any sense. Basically I would like to know more about banana trees in general.

Dalmatiansoap
05-16-2010, 12:07 PM
Welcome to .org. Best place for learning bananas:ha:
:woohoonaner:

Abnshrek
05-16-2010, 12:16 PM
Hello Cory & Welcome from the Sportsman's Paradise :^) Dwarf Cavendish's aren't hard to grow, they pup (have lil nanner pop up) alot. How tall is yours? Do you have it in the ground or is it in a pot? You might want to look up soil mixes before you stick it in the ground if its potted still (does a world of good). Good Luck :^)

CoryS
05-16-2010, 12:35 PM
Hello Cory & Welcome from the Sportsman's Paradise :^) Dwarf Cavendish's aren't hard to grow, they pup (have lil nanner pop up) alot. How tall is yours? Do you have it in the ground or is it in a pot? You might want to look up soil mixes before you stick it in the ground if its potted still (does a world of good). Good Luck :^)

Thanks for the friendly welcomes. Mine is roughly 3 feet tall and in a plastic pot. I'm wanting to place it on the patio to get more sunlight but I don't know how warm it needs to be. Can banana trees grow in zone 7a in an outdoor garden? I posted in a fertilizer thread here and I'm waiting for a response.
Pup/lil nanner? What's that all about?
I know nothing about banana trees so I'll much appreciate any care information I can get.

sunfish
05-16-2010, 01:53 PM
Thanks for the friendly welcomes. Mine is roughly 3 feet tall and in a plastic pot. I'm wanting to place it on the patio to get more sunlight but I don't know how warm it needs to be. Can banana trees grow in zone 7a in an outdoor garden? I posted in a fertilizer thread here and I'm waiting for a response.
Pup/lil nanner? What's that all about?
I know nothing about banana trees so I'll much appreciate any care information I can get.

Lots of info here.

All articles - Bananas Wiki (http://www.bananas.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Allpages)

CoryS
05-16-2010, 02:23 PM
Thanks much again Sunfish. That wiki is one incredible resource! And I must confess, that's the first time I've seen bananas on a tree.

LilRaverBoi
05-16-2010, 02:31 PM
Welcome to the site. I recommend planting it in the ground this summer, if you have a nice sunny place. Otherwise, definitely put it outside in the pot. Summer sun really helps them grow faster/healthier. Be wary initially as the leaves might get sunburnt...try slowly acclimatizing it to full sun over a period of a week or two. As for growing DC in your area...should do fine in the ground spring-fall, but I don't think it'll survive winter. Pot it up and take it inside when it starts to get cold at night. They should be able to handle low 40's F but I wouldn't let it get much cooler than that. Definitely wouldn't do well with any amount of frost. Hope that helps!

CoryS
05-16-2010, 02:45 PM
Welcome to the site. I recommend planting it in the ground this summer, if you have a nice sunny place. Otherwise, definitely put it outside in the pot. Summer sun really helps them grow faster/healthier. Be wary initially as the leaves might get sunburnt...try slowly acclimatizing it to full sun over a period of a week or two. As for growing DC in your area...should do fine in the ground spring-fall, but I don't think it'll survive winter. Pot it up and take it inside when it starts to get cold at night. They should be able to handle low 40's F but I wouldn't let it get much cooler than that. Definitely wouldn't do well with any amount of frost. Hope that helps!

Much thanks LilRaverboi. I've been attempting to get care instructions for two days at other sites. I'm very impressed! The patio's fairly shady. Perhaps that will suffice for the first week. We get full sun around the pool. Hmmm.
How deep will the roots get?

LilRaverBoi
05-16-2010, 03:22 PM
Much thanks LilRaverboi. I've been attempting to get care instructions for two days at other sites. I'm very impressed!
People here tend to be pretty helpful and the site is full of great information. If you haven't found it yet, be sure to check out the wiki (http://www.bananas.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Allpages) for information on specific varieties.


How deep will the roots get?
Banana roots don't get particularly deep, but they do spread along the surface up to 15 feet from the plant. Not to say they require this amount of space to grow (cause clearly they can be grown in pots).

CoryS
05-16-2010, 03:55 PM
Extreme helpful. Thanks much again LilRaverboi! Radical av. Poi? Gardens are scarce here but I will give it a shot by the pool next week.
Are sigs like automatic or does the user need to rack up points first?

saltydad
05-16-2010, 06:06 PM
Hi Cory. I'm in Maryland, also zone 7a. I have a DC (Dwarf Cavendish). It is about 4 years old. I kept it potted, moving up to bigger pots as it grew. Pups by the way are offshots from the main banana corm, and are a benefit of growing bananas- you get more free! I used to take my DC outside in spring and back inside in fall, following the slow acclimation schedule as described above. This spring its so big that I decided to plant it near my pond, and then dig it up and repot it when it gets cold. I have 17 other varieties of bananas that I grow; all but one are moved inside for the winter. If you get a hold of a Musa basjoo banana, you can overwinter it outside in 7a. The first few years I cut the stem (technically called the pseudostem, or p-stem) to about 2 ft. in height and covered them with 2 ft. of straw mulch. This past year I didn't protect it at all; I didn't cut it and let the dead leaves and stem act as mulch and its doing fine. From one p-stem it now has over 25! Let us know where you are located so our advice can be tailored to your circumstances. Good luck. Take a look at my Photo Gallery to see the basjoo. The pic in my avatar is the basjoo.

CoryS
05-16-2010, 06:33 PM
Thanks much Saltydad. That's just what I've been digging for. Then the corm must be like the base[?] of the tree and it sends up new ones like a tree-of-heaven. We're down from Wichita KS and near Tulsa. 17 varieties? Dude! That's like a small forest. That basjoo thing will grow if you cut it down?! I don't get that but sounds incredible.

cherokee_greg
05-16-2010, 06:43 PM
welcome from California your in the right place

saltydad
05-16-2010, 06:47 PM
Since a banana plant (not tree) is composed mostly of water, they freeze with the first hard frost or so. The basjoo corm (similar to a bulb or rhizome) however is underground and has regrown in the spring after 0 degrees Fahrenheit. And indeed, so many varieties does lead to the where-the-hell-am-I-going-to-plant-this-one syndrome that members get shortly after joining, along with the you-can't-grow-just-one disease. I also suffer from these maladies with hardy palms, cannas, elephant ears, etc. Post some pics when you get the chance. You'll love it here. Be sure to peruse the Cold Hardy Bananas section for much good information.

LilRaverBoi
05-16-2010, 08:06 PM
Radical av. Poi?
Yup, that's a pic a friend took of me spinning fire poi. I'm glad to meet people who actually know what poi is! It's pretty obscure, I'll be honest.

Are sigs like automatic or does the user need to rack up points first?
Anyone can have a signature. Just find the 'Quick Links' button on the blue toolbar (upper right). Click on 'Edit Signature.' Enter what you wish then click 'Save Signature.'

Edit....just added the directions to my 'Helpful Hints (http://www.bananas.org/f5/lilraverbois-helpful-hints-11202.html)' thread. Be sure to check that thread out for instructions on how to work certain features of the site. And if you have any suggestions/questions, feel free to ask!

CoryS
05-16-2010, 09:19 PM
Since a banana plant (not tree) is composed mostly of water, they freeze with the first hard frost or so. The basjoo corm (similar to a bulb or rhizome) however is underground and has regrown in the spring after 0 degrees Fahrenheit. And indeed, so many varieties does lead to the where-the-hell-am-I-going-to-plant-this-one syndrome that members get shortly after joining, along with the you-can't-grow-just-one disease. I also suffer from these maladies with hardy palms, cannas, elephant ears, etc. Post some pics when you get the chance. You'll love it here. Be sure to peruse the Cold Hardy Bananas section for much good information.

Thanks much Cherokee_Greg. I'm absolutely in the right place. A particular music site I joined could learn a tad about manners and courtesy from this forum.
A plant? That's one massive plant! I read my dwarf cavendish can reach 8' in the wiki. We do have quite a bit of space around the pool though and no shade. hmmm. And btw, I'm already loving it here! I've never joined a forum with friendlier people and this informative. Just for the record, nice plants in your avatar. For a man with 17 varieties and all else, nice work! I'm loving the wiki here too. I had no idea there were that many varieties.

Yup, that's a pic a friend took of me spinning fire poi. I'm glad to meet people who actually know what poi is! It's pretty obscure, I'll be honest.


Anyone can have a signature. Just find the 'Quick Links' button on the blue toolbar (upper right). Click on 'Edit Signature.' Enter what you wish then click 'Save Signature.'

Edit....just added the directions to my 'Helpful Hints (http://www.bananas.org/f5/lilraverbois-helpful-hints-11202.html)' thread. Be sure to check that thread out for instructions on how to work certain features of the site. And if you have any suggestions/questions, feel free to ask!

Thanks much LilRaverboi. Obscure stateside perhaps but not in Hawaii or the islands. I've seen it before and it always astounds me! The coordination involved is amazing. Btw, I will attempt to make a sig a tad more creative than my username, lol.
I found a thread in the site help and feedback section and learned to build a gallery and post photos. Still one small mystery. When I joined I was told I would be recieving a free subscription to something called the Banana Quarterly[?]. Any insights into that? As for the poi, I'm very impressed. Are you Hawaiian? Just asking.
Edit - I just found a thread concerning the apparently ill-fated magazine. Was that to be electronic or paper?

Something I almost forgot. I keep seeing weather panels in members sigs. How is that done?

Sorry about the multiple posts. I just read your helpful hints post but I'm uncertain how to correct it now.

saltydad
05-16-2010, 11:39 PM
The magazine was on-line only; we had plans to publish in a true magazine format (even using 40% banana paper!). We still have hopes to rekindle the Bananas Quarterly; those of us involved found it to be stimulating and rewarding. It's indeed a real shame that its publication was forced into hiatus. We have high hopes for the future.

CoryS
05-17-2010, 07:49 AM
The magazine was on-line only; we had plans to publish in a true magazine format (even using 40% banana paper!). We still have hopes to rekindle the Bananas Quarterly; those of us involved found it to be stimulating and rewarding. It's indeed a real shame that its publication was forced into hiatus. We have high hopes for the future.

Brain's switching on ("magazine contributor"). Check dude and no sweats. Banana paper? Intrigued but late for skool. I'll check that out tonight.

LilRaverBoi
05-17-2010, 11:05 AM
Obscure stateside perhaps but not in Hawaii or the islands.
Well, I guess it probably isn't so esoteric in HI...are you from there?

As for the poi, I'm very impressed. Are you Hawaiian? Just asking.
LOL...no, not by a long-shot. I'm from Iowa and I currently live/go to school in St. Louis, MO. It's just a talent I picked up about 7 years ago. It's a ton of fun (and is like meditating when you really get into the flow of it). If you have any interest in learning, I am a moderator on a different site where I do a lot of teaching/discussion of poi (not to mention all my tutorials on YouTube).

Sorry about the multiple posts. I just read your helpful hints post but I'm uncertain how to correct it now.
No worries, I gotcha taken care of.

natej740
05-17-2010, 04:10 PM
Thanks much Saltydad. That's just what I've been digging for. Then the corm must be like the base[?] of the tree and it sends up new ones like a tree-of-heaven. We're down from Wichita KS and near Tulsa. 17 varieties? Dude! That's like a small forest. That basjoo thing will grow if you cut it down?! I don't get that but sounds incredible.

Welcome to the site. Yes the Musa Basjoo is an incredible plant it can grow up to 18 feet and handle up to -20*F with protection. You just cut it down when freezing temps come and cover it with mulch or bags of leaves and uncover it in the spring and it will continue to grow from where you cut it down. I posted a thread about the progress of mine in Zone 6 Ohio here it is:

http://www.bananas.org/f15/fist-year-musa-basjoo-success-11268.html

CoryS
05-17-2010, 04:52 PM
Well, I guess it probably isn't so esoteric in HI...are you from there?
LOL...no, not by a long-shot. I'm from Iowa and I currently live/go to school in St. Louis, MO. It's just a talent I picked up about 7 years ago. It's a ton of fun (and is like meditating when you really get into the flow of it). If you have any interest in learning, I am a moderator on a different site where I do a lot of teaching/discussion of poi (not to mention all my tutorials on YouTube).
No worries, I gotcha taken care of.

I seem to have the multi-quote worked out. Me from Hawaii? lol! Way off! I'm originally from Kansas but I've been there and I know a bit about their customs and some of their rituals. For example, the Hawaiian lei is a method of communication. There are many types of leis [not just flowers] and they were brought to Hawaii by Polynesians. Hibiscus flowers were introduced to Hawaii by southern Americans. I've been through St. Louis twice. Cool city especially the arch! As for spinning, it's not really what I'm into but I do like to watch. I checked out your Poi thread here, though, and noticed you're into glowsticking. Now that could be more in my line! What other site? Rave or just poi?

Welcome to the site. Yes the Musa Basjoo is an incredible plant it can grow up to 18 feet and handle up to -20*F with protection. You just cut it down when freezing temps come and cover it with mulch or bags of leaves and uncover it in the spring and it will continue to grow from where you cut it down. I posted a thread about the progress of mine in Zone 6 Ohio here it is:
http://www.bananas.org/f15/fist-year-musa-basjoo-success-11268.html

-20*?! I thought bananas were tropical. That's incredible! I will check your link and the wiki. Thanks for the information.

LilRaverBoi
05-19-2010, 08:54 PM
I checked out your Poi thread here, though, and noticed you're into glowsticking. Now that could be more in my line! What other site? Rave or just poi?
The other website is GenXGlow.com - Latest in Electronic Dance Music (http://www.genxglow.com). It's an electronic dance music (EDM) and raver website with forums for kandi making, glowsticking/poi/etc, free music hosting/downloads, DJ discussions, etc. It's a cool site and the people there are very kind/respectful.

And just for clarification, glowsticking is just poi with glowsticks. They're both the same thing, just different media (like drawing with pencils vs markers). The only real difference is the weight of poi makes it easier to spin slower, which is better for learning. I started learning with glowsticks and later found out about poi, but it seems people progress crazy fast if they start with poi. Either way, the moves are the same, though.

Feel free to check out GenXGlow....you'll be sure to find me on there.

CoryS
05-20-2010, 02:38 AM
The other website is GenXGlow.com - Latest in Electronic Dance Music (http://www.genxglow.com). It's an electronic dance music (EDM) and raver website with forums for kandi making, glowsticking/poi/etc, free music hosting/downloads, DJ discussions, etc. It's a cool site and the people there are very kind/respectful.

And just for clarification, glowsticking is just poi with glowsticks. They're both the same thing, just different media (like drawing with pencils vs markers). The only real difference is the weight of poi makes it easier to spin slower, which is better for learning. I started learning with glowsticks and later found out about poi, but it seems people progress crazy fast if they start with poi. Either way, the moves are the same, though.

Feel free to check out GenXGlow....you'll be sure to find me on there.

Thanks for the invitation, dude. A friend of mine, two years back, was heavy into glowsticks. Nothing to match your style but impressive nonetheless. But a music-site / kind-respectful?! Dude! That's almost a contradiction in terms, lol. Every music forum I joined is strictly troll central. To be totally honest, I was shocked by the friendly intro I recieved here. It's nothing I'm accustomed to, lol. But I do like EDM and techno and I'm always game for new vibes and sounds! I'll check it out when I get a little time. It'll be d**n refreshing to find "music" + "friendly" in the same place, lol!

LilRaverBoi
05-21-2010, 01:47 PM
But a music-site / kind-respectful?! Dude! That's almost a contradiction in terms, lol. Every music forum I joined is strictly troll central.
We work really hard to keep GXG a friendly place where people can learn things, have fun and not be hated on/criticized. It's not always easy, and we've had some minor issues in the past, but they always get dealt with well since the staff is all very supportive of each other. The members actually help out a lot too by making small comments asking people to be nice, etc.

CoryS
05-21-2010, 03:58 PM
We work really hard to keep GXG a friendly place where people can learn things, have fun and not be hated on/criticized. It's not always easy, and we've had some minor issues in the past, but they always get dealt with well since the staff is all very supportive of each other. The members actually help out a lot too by making small comments asking people to be nice, etc.

Sounds totally cool, dude! Like, I can slam a troll but a peaceful environ sounds entirely more productive, lol. I will check that out but, for now, this is a major day in my life [and many others' I'm certain] and time for party central!
:woohoonaner:
Btw, if you need a clue, it starts with "skool is" and ends with "OUT!", lol!