View Full Version : Why Can't I Grow Bananas in Raleigh?
quiet_sunset
06-05-2013, 10:59 PM
Hello Folks!
I'm new to growing bananas in places where they are not meant to be. I used to live in Hawaii (Oahu) and as a kid we had 2 stands of dwarf bananas growing in the yard. We had bananas all the time. I'm trying to relive my youth and grow bananas in Raleigh. I have a sunny south facing back deck that I want to get a dwarf Cavendish or some other dwarf, full sized fruit bearing banana tree to grow. Any ideas, experiences, comments are welcome.
I love this site! :08:
Abnshrek
06-05-2013, 11:17 PM
Hello & Welcome.. I'm sure you can grow something there.. Just takes time, soil (no water crystals), full sun (unless its a T/C plant you just got), fert and persistence. :^)
Illia
06-05-2013, 11:23 PM
Welcome! There's quite a few banana varieties you can do, but honestly Cavendish are just so boring compared to the others in my opinion (sorry) - However when it comes to dwarfs, some more hardy ones include dwarf Orinoco, dwarf Namwah, dwarf Brazilian, Rose, California Gold, and Raja-Puri. I believe you're zone 8 right?
And if you don't want to worry too much about winters or don't mind moving bananas indoors during the winter, there's really fast to fruit varieties like Veinte Cohol that do just fine out there. Some other small and/or fast fruiters but not quite as cold hardy include dwarf Red and Gran Nain (pretty similar to Dwarf Cavendish really)
I believe FHIA-1 and FHIA-3 (Goldfinger and Sweetheart) are also pretty hardy, can't remember how tall they get though.
The trick for wintertime with any banana is covering its stem well, bringing it in for the winter, growing it in a greenhouse, or digging it up and storing it in a cool dry place over winter.
RobG7aChattTN
06-08-2013, 08:06 AM
You need to check out the cold hardy banana section on here. There is a big difference between growing bananas in zone 8 vs. 9 or warmer.
quiet_sunset
06-08-2013, 11:53 AM
Thanks for the update. I'll check out that section. I'm getting pretty excited about this site!
TonyBananas
06-12-2013, 09:32 PM
you can always grow dwarf cavendish in containers, 16 to 18 inch pot would work. very easy to move in and out as you temperature changes. Best of luck!
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