HedyLamarr
08-27-2012, 05:53 PM
So - I moved into a new place and inherited this GINORMOUS banana tree. A lot of conflicting information for its care and maintenance so I thought I'd come to the experts for advice.
My guess is it hasn't been cared for - so I'm not sure what I should START doing (or not do) since it seems to be growing, but not thriving. Images in my gllery are of the whole tree (the storage unit to the left is 6' tall, for scale), close up of the stalks and the blooms.
Particulars:
I have no idea how old this thing is. The storage shed on the right is nearly 6' tall, to give scale.
I'm in San Diego - 1 1/2 blocks from the coast. The tree is in the SE corner of the yard.
I don't think the plant has been watered on a regular basis. It's pretty wet here during the winter. Summers can be humid but generally dry.
The sun is very consistent... it's San Diego ;) The tops get full sun all day, year round. The stalks get It full AM sun and are in shade mid-afternoon.
It is also pretty humid here year-round.
The plant sticks up over the top of a garage so it gets pretty consistent ocean breezes but the bottoms of the stalk are well-protected by the building it's next to.
It does bear fruit - it grew 2 small hands last year that are still there and have turned black - these probably need to be cut down. Over the past couple of months some bananas have started to ripen it looks like.
I'm a novice grower of plants but am ready to take this on...
Questions:
Do I need to strip the dead brown stalks?
It looks to suffer from some ailments (the dark purple spotty stuff) or mold?
Do i start a watering or feeding regimin?
The new hands growing in don't look as full as the previous year. Currently growing 3. Anything special I need to do to help boost?
Any other tips or observations?
Thanks for any advice - awesome website - there seems to be a link between the fun of growing bananas and the kind of people who have fun growing them!
-Hedy
EDIT: hmmm.... how to link gallery...?
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=50291
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=50293
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=50292
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=50290
My guess is it hasn't been cared for - so I'm not sure what I should START doing (or not do) since it seems to be growing, but not thriving. Images in my gllery are of the whole tree (the storage unit to the left is 6' tall, for scale), close up of the stalks and the blooms.
Particulars:
I have no idea how old this thing is. The storage shed on the right is nearly 6' tall, to give scale.
I'm in San Diego - 1 1/2 blocks from the coast. The tree is in the SE corner of the yard.
I don't think the plant has been watered on a regular basis. It's pretty wet here during the winter. Summers can be humid but generally dry.
The sun is very consistent... it's San Diego ;) The tops get full sun all day, year round. The stalks get It full AM sun and are in shade mid-afternoon.
It is also pretty humid here year-round.
The plant sticks up over the top of a garage so it gets pretty consistent ocean breezes but the bottoms of the stalk are well-protected by the building it's next to.
It does bear fruit - it grew 2 small hands last year that are still there and have turned black - these probably need to be cut down. Over the past couple of months some bananas have started to ripen it looks like.
I'm a novice grower of plants but am ready to take this on...
Questions:
Do I need to strip the dead brown stalks?
It looks to suffer from some ailments (the dark purple spotty stuff) or mold?
Do i start a watering or feeding regimin?
The new hands growing in don't look as full as the previous year. Currently growing 3. Anything special I need to do to help boost?
Any other tips or observations?
Thanks for any advice - awesome website - there seems to be a link between the fun of growing bananas and the kind of people who have fun growing them!
-Hedy
EDIT: hmmm.... how to link gallery...?
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=50291
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=50293
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=50292
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=50290