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View Full Version : Q: How to grow banana vigorous and stout


asacomm
09-13-2010, 09:59 PM
Hi friend,

In case bananas are grown in a pot/container, from my experience
60L/15.5gal container is good for dwarf bananas such as Cal. Gold,
Dwf. Orinoco and Dwf. Cavendish etc.

On the other hand, however, for taller bananas such as Orinoco, Namwah
and Ice Cream etc. this size is to small to warrant their normal growth, and
there needs 100L/26.5gal. container which in fact is not realistic for
handling and transportation. So I have no choice than using 60L container.

So my question is "How to grow taller bananas vigorous(fat stem) and
stout to ensure satisfactory fruiting in 60L container".

Your opinions on the following points are welcome.

1. Fertilizers: Organic and/or chemical N-P-K ratio?
2. Soils
3. Daily care and management of the plants

Gabe15
09-14-2010, 11:57 AM
They need a lot of inputs to compensate for the lack of root space, and they will still likely be smaller than in the ground. I would try using a potting mix that is very well draining and containing roughly 1/3 high quality compost, 1/3 soilless potting media and 1/3 perlite or something similar. You will need to water a lot, 1-2 times a day if it is warm. Removing /destroying suckers when they first show will limit growth to the main shoot and prevent the container from hopefully breaking from the force of the suckers.

But I doubt you can ever get a full size large plant in a container that small unless you really have some efficient hyrdoponic-type system going on, and even then who knows if it would work. Those large bananas are simply very large plants and they need a lot of space.

asacomm
09-14-2010, 06:00 PM
Thanks a lot, Gabe for your comment.

In order to plant "taller bananas" like Orinoco and Ice Cream ets. in a 60L
container, I tired to cut back the pseudostem to limit the height just for
the purpose of planting them in the said container.

But the result was obvious, the number of banana fingers was far less and
the size of the fruits was much smaller than the normal ones.

Is there no way to plant them in a 60L container and still to keep the
normal fruiting result?

Gabe15
09-14-2010, 06:12 PM
Is there no way to plant them in a 60L container and still to keep the
normal fruiting result?

I suppose it's possible somehow, but simple answer = no. In order to grow a full sized bunch in a smaller container, use a dwarf plant.

asacomm
09-14-2010, 09:14 PM
Hi Gabe,

Thanks for the clear answer.
I do also think so.

jakesebastin
06-26-2012, 08:45 AM
Follow the instructions and take good care of the banana in the indoor growing will give you the best results. Yes the indoor growing is necessary to go for vigorous and stout grow of the banana.