View Full Version : Banana type selection for containers
Ka Makana
09-07-2012, 11:09 PM
Hello - I live on Oahu and have been growing dwarf bananas in the ground in my lanai for about a year now, but am getting ready to harvest my last bunch from my current plant and dig it up (a task I'm not looking forward to). The reason I am going to a container (probably 36" diameter by 24" high) is that our lanai area is small, and technically it's suppose to be in a pot anyway, a homeowners association rule I was initially unaware of when I planted the current plant. The current plant is a dwarf (supposedly) apple banana, though it's trunk base is at least 15" in diameter, and it's over 18 feet tall at the tip of the tallest leaf. Are there smaller dwarfs out there? And as far as planting in a container, I saw how my current plant has swelled the ground around its base, and am concerned that even with the removal of all of the smaller sucker plants/pups the swelling will cause the container to crack - is this a valid concern? Any thoughts or suggestions will be greatly appreciated. If there is anyone on this forum from Oahu who knows where I can get a real dwarf I'd be greatly appreciative as I've yet to find a Local source for a small dwarf suitable for a container. Thanks!
sunfish
09-08-2012, 08:03 AM
http://www.bananas.org/f2/definitive-dwarf-list-8561.html#post82797
Abnshrek
09-08-2012, 10:34 AM
Its not just the banana its the container too.. I just picked up five, what I would guess to be 18 gal pot @ Tractor Supply on sale for $2.99 you can't beat that deal. I will replace the water dish w/ a 18" hot water heat pan (instrustrial plastic) and cap the 1" port so it don't leak. I like the 20" pans for 25 gal, and the 22" pans for 33 gal.. I think its alot better than worrying about a mess when you bring them in. Here is what the pot looks like. :^)
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=50460&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=50460)
PR-Giants
09-08-2012, 06:31 PM
That's a nice size planter, a dwarf should do great in a 100 gallon pot.
What are you thinking a flexible planter?
Dirt Pot Flexible Portable Planter, 100 Gallon, with handles (http://www.hydrofarm.com/product.php?itemid=12496#tabs-2)
venturabananas
09-10-2012, 10:14 AM
The reason I am going to a container (probably 36" diameter by 24" high) is that our lanai area is small, and technically it's suppose to be in a pot anyway... The current plant is a dwarf (supposedly) apple banana, though it's trunk base is at least 15" in diameter, and it's over 18 feet tall at the tip of the tallest leaf. Are there smaller dwarfs out there? And as far as planting in a container, I saw how my current plant has swelled the ground around its base, and am concerned that even with the removal of all of the smaller sucker plants/pups the swelling will cause the container to crack - is this a valid concern?
Definitely a valid concern unless you are ruthless in pup removal -- they will split pots.
Your Dwarf Apple (=Dwarf Brazilian) is indeed a dwarf, but it is the biggest of the dwarf bananas. Regular Hawaiian Apple (=Brazilian) can get twice as tall.
If you like that plant and the flavor of its fruit, Rajapuri is very similar but a bit shorter on average than Dwarf Apple.
Dwarf Cavendish is about the same size as Rajapuri, but makes the same fruit you'd get at a supermarket and is a Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV) magnet, from what I read.
Super Dwarf Cavendish is probably the shortest plant you could have that would have a good change of making fruit, but they will be small, and taste like any other Cavendish variety.
Or you could try a more slender plant, which wouldn't get as crowded in the pot, that isn't technically a dwarf (which has to do with plant proportions, not height). Some examples would be Pisang Mas ("baby banana") and Rose.
All of these except Super Dwarf Cavendish are going to get at least 10-12' to the tops of the leaves if they are growing well. I don't know if that would work with your lanai.
Best of luck.
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