View Full Version : fertilize in the winter?
kaczercat
12-17-2012, 07:58 PM
do you fertilize your bananas in the winter? (to those who's plants are still growing)
JCA433
12-17-2012, 09:14 PM
My banana plants are still growing so I still fertilize lightly. I am in Homestead Florida and the average high temperature so far this December is around 80 F. This is above the average high of 78 F for December. We had a much cooler than average November and this did slow the banana growth, but high temperatures this month have been warmer so far. Hopefully Jack Frost does not visit this winter.
I think if you live in an area where frost is rare and your banana plants are still growing you may fertilize.
sandy0225
12-18-2012, 04:11 PM
in my greenhouse I fertilize every other watering with 100 ppm 20-10-20 which is nitrate nitrogen during the months of dec jan and feb. Dark and cold months.I use 20-10-20 at 200 ppm in march, april, may, September, October and November. good but not so intense light, but cooler.I use 24-8-16 at 250 ppm during june july august, that fertilizer is hotter and uses urea nitrogen too.strong sun months/ hot weather months. it sounds complicated but it's really not. It boils down to
if they're growing slowly and it's cold/ the sun is weak, use the nitrate nitrogen (which is easier on roots, doesn't burn)at a very weak level. if they are growing moderately, it's cool, use the nitrate nitrogen, at a slightly higher level; when they are growing really well and they're warm and they're happy, they can use the concentrated urea nitrogen and it won't burn the roots.
sandy0225
12-18-2012, 04:12 PM
hey I just saw you're a zone 5 like I am so this advice is probably pretty good for you too.
Hammocked Banana
12-19-2012, 10:38 PM
Yes, just not as much. I judge how much based on how fast its putting out leaves. If it puts out a new leaf once every 6-8 days, I go about half strength, if its once eveyr 2-3 weeks I give it like 1/4 or less. If its slower than this, its prolly not drinking much water so its probably not getting a lot of anything...How fast its growing genereally depends on how much light they get indoors. More light=more growth=more food.
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