View Full Version : Fertilizer Question
GeorgeIV
06-10-2010, 08:38 AM
I have been using the Stokes Tropicals' Banana Blend (6-2-12) for bananas planted in coastal South Carolina about 1 month ago. I water daily with a dripper hose, allowing the soil to drain fully in between waterings. The fertilizer is said to be a 3-month formula, but this seems to me to be pretty infrequent as a sole source for such heavily feeding plants. Stokes does not answer email inquiries.
Any advice or experience out there?
Abnshrek
06-10-2010, 09:14 AM
I use the "Banana Fuel" Richard sells from growmore I do believe.. 15-5-30 it works better than what I was using last yea. No doubt.. It helps to know what kind of banana's you growing for one of the smart guys to answer that one. Your climate, soil might help as well :^)
GeorgeIV
06-10-2010, 09:20 AM
1) I am in Charleston - ~ zone 8-9.
2) Blue java plants.
2) I already have spent the $$ for the fertilizer - just want to know how to use it.
Thanks!
Richard
06-10-2010, 09:57 AM
1) I am in Charleston - ~ zone 8-9.
2) Blue java plants.
2) I already have spent the $$ for the fertilizer - just want to know how to use it.
Thanks!
Drip irrigation is a poor approach. If your soil drains extremely fast, then water once every 3-4 days, otherwise once per 5-7 days depending on the season. Apply about 3 gallons per foot of height. Use 3-4 streamer emitters per plant on 1/2 inch pipe for your irrigation system. Measure the output of the streamers for a few minutes to learn how many gallons per minute your system outputs. Be sure to have a 3-4 inches of 1-inch diameter mulch on the top of the soil to eliminate surface evaporation and create an ecosystem for beneficial soil microbes.
Application Rates for "Stokes Tropicals Banana Fertilizer 6-2-12" on fruiting banana plants during active growing season:
TC plantlet or seedling -- 1 teaspoon per month
Small or potted plant -- 0.4 lbs per month
Mature plant in ground -- 1.67 lbs per month
Blake09
06-10-2010, 12:10 PM
I use a 10-10-10. I try and stay away from liquid though.
bananarama2
06-11-2010, 03:18 PM
I had wondered about fertilizing bananas myself, and there still seems to be no consensus on the issue here yet. I'm thinking that something along the 10-10-10 balance makes lots of sense, given that bananas in their natural habitat tend to grow on heavily leached soils,so are wanting for all nutrients. Also, the mention of heavy watering as a necessity (bananas being probably 85% water anyway) is extremely important (imho), since tropical climes usually experience high rainfall amounts on a daily or semi-daily basis. So....as I always say...if you want the plant to thrive, try to "think" like the plant. Provide it the growing environment it thrives in naturally. :2722:
LilRaverBoi
06-11-2010, 07:35 PM
Welcome to the site....I hope you enjoy it here. There are a lot of smart plant people around to answer your questions. I would say you can definitely fertilize more than once every three months on bananas....probably at least once a month.
cowboyup4christ
06-11-2010, 09:48 PM
I use a 10-15-30 naners need a lot of potassium. and fertilize every two weeks and water at least daily if it has not rained.
Richard
06-11-2010, 10:36 PM
I had wondered about fertilizing bananas myself, and there still seems to be no consensus on the issue here yet.
The consensus may be found in research reports from leading agricultural universities, or viewed under "Specific Needs Of Bananas" here: Info:Fertilizer - Bananas Wiki (http://www.bananas.org/wiki/Info:Fertilizer)
... given that bananas in their natural habitat tend to grow on heavily leached soils ...
Bananas grow "naturally" in many environments. A more important focus is the most effective balance and biological capacity for nutrients to produce a healthy plant and worthwhile crop.
A balanced fertilizer is not the best for bananas. Excess P can tie up minerals and the runoff contributes to eutrophication in freshwater systems. Bananas need lots of K and N.
Caloosamusa
06-13-2010, 11:53 AM
In N-P-K ratio where you have sandy soils and 52 to 65 inches of annual rainfall a 3-1-9 ratio is good with trace and minor elements. :2239:
bananarama2
06-13-2010, 01:29 PM
Thanks to all for your comments and viewpoints on the fertilization question. The Banana Wiki was particularly insightful, only confused by the number of persons that do, in fact, use balanced fertilizers as well. So, no real concensus, but a lot of pertainent information. The variables of site such as soil type, precipitation and climate obviously play a huge role in making a decision. I would guess that if a balanced ratio fertilizer is used, one should opt for lower weighted ratios, applied more frequently, to avoid over-concentrating elements in the root zone. Personally, I'd opt for something like one of the 15-5-5 ratios for ease and safety of application. If it were that easy, everyone would be doing it! Thanks all!:bananas_b
Soil and rainfall do make a huge difference, but both N and K are more likely to be washed away by rain, so in areas of high rainfall, ratios with high N and K are even more important. P tends to bind with minerals and only washes away with the soil.
Richard
06-13-2010, 08:36 PM
Personally, I'd opt for something like one of the 15-5-5 ratios for ease and safety of application. If it were that easy, everyone would be doing it! Thanks all!:bananas_b
15-5-5 with micros is good for back-yard lettuces and leafy herbs -- but a poor choice for fruiting bananas.
CoryS
06-20-2010, 04:58 AM
I didn't know much about fertilizers [before I read your intro!] but definitely, welcome to the site! Much thanks, everybody! :) I'm a noob too and just learned a lot about fertilizing!
cowboyup4christ
06-20-2010, 08:16 AM
I have found that a high K fertilizer like 5-15-30 or 0-0-25 has really help mine to produce this year many more pups, they are planted in horse manure and top soil so they get their nitrogen from that. I think the 5-15 30 has been the trick. of course my soil is really l;ow in potash and phosphorous
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