View Full Version : Too cold for bananas?
Ablessed
09-10-2015, 07:03 PM
My indoor banana plant decided to fruit after three years! It began in July with our warm and humid weather. It is doing wonderfully, but I am wondering what will happen as the temperatures are dropping fast. Outdoors it gets to -35 C (-31 F) in winter. Indoors it might be 17-21 C (62-70 F). Will that be too cold? Will they stop growing? Will they slow down? Just wondering...
cincinnana
09-11-2015, 07:17 PM
My indoor banana plant decided to fruit after three years! It began in July with our warm and humid weather. It is doing wonderfully, but I am wondering what will happen as the temperatures are dropping fast. Outdoors it gets to -35 C (-31 F) in winter. Indoors it might be 17-21 C (62-70 F). Will that be too cold? Will they stop growing? Will they slow down? Just wondering...
Congratulations.....
My plants in Ohio flower also. My season is not long enough to grow the plant out for fruit, but I am rewarded with some flowers.
Do exactly what you have been doing in the past three years that you have had the plants and see what happens.
Your plants will slow down ....just like they have done in the past when you bring them indoors.
The only difference is ....you have a flower.
What have your plants done in the past?
Ablessed
09-11-2015, 09:36 PM
Flowers, but no bananas? What a bummer!
Have you tried bringing one indoors?
The first couple of years I battled spider mites. I used homemade concoctions, which were not that effective. Every two weeks I would spray it and trim dry edges off the leaves. Then, last September, I bought Bug B Gon and I only had to spray it once. I didn't have to trim dried edges off the leaves all winter. By spring it looked more healthy than ever and I guess I didn't realize that it was ovulating!
In summer, I usually fertilize it every two weeks with half strength 20-20-20. I wonder, should I keep fertilizing through the winter since it is fruiting?
Will the bananas suffer if it slows down over the winter?
cincinnana
09-12-2015, 08:13 AM
Where are you located?
Ablessed is in Manitoba
Flowers, but no bananas? What a bummer!
Have you tried bringing one indoors?
I get small green fruit which never ripens, and by December the fruit falls off.
If you don't have a greenhouse, you'll need plenty of artificial light...
Ablessed
09-12-2015, 01:46 PM
I am in southern Manitoba. It is in a turret of the house with lots of windows around. But the turret faces west, unfortunately. There is a chandelier with five 120V/60Hz bulbs right above it. Could that help? That and a small heater at its base for the coldest days? Humidity will be around 35.
Ablessed
09-12-2015, 02:09 PM
I get small green fruit which never ripens, and by December the fruit falls off.[/QUOTE]
That is a shame!
Ablessed
09-13-2015, 09:37 PM
Congratulations.....
My plants in Ohio flower also. My season is not long enough to grow the plant out for fruit, but I am rewarded with some flowers.
Do exactly what you have been doing in the past three years that you have had the plants and see what happens.
Your plants will slow down ....just like they have done in the past when you bring them indoors.
The only difference is ....you have a flower.
What have your plants done in the past?
What are your temperatures in winter?
cincinnana
09-14-2015, 09:23 AM
What are your temperatures in winter?
Here is a snapshot of my weather.
My grow season is a short 170 days+- frost to frost.
Climate Cincinnati - Ohio and Weather averages Cincinnati (http://www.usclimatedata.com/climate/cincinnati/ohio/united-states/usoh0188)
siege2050
09-14-2015, 10:29 AM
I would just bring it in like you always do, seems to be working for you so far. You might not spray the fruit with bug be gone though if you want to eat them, not sure if that one is for edibles. Maybe they will finish producing indoors. Its a job if you have a lot of plants, but I just spray the leaves with water in a spray bottle and wipe them down with paper towels, it can help to control spider mites.
chris_zx2
09-14-2015, 10:53 PM
Keep us updated, I'm in Montreal so I know how it is. Temperatures getting down around 55 in the night already....
I am in southern Manitoba. It is in a turret of the house with lots of windows around. But the turret faces west, unfortunately. There is a chandelier with five 120V/60Hz bulbs right above it. Could that help? That and a small heater at its base for the coldest days? Humidity will be around 35.
I think you'll need something way stronger than that if you want it to fruit inside...
cincinnana
09-15-2015, 03:35 AM
I am in southern Manitoba. It is in a turret of the house with lots of windows around. But the turret faces west, unfortunately. There is a chandelier with five 120V/60Hz bulbs right above it. Could that help? That and a small heater at its base for the coldest days? Humidity will be around 35.
Probably not..however if you switched out the bulbs to 300 watt output 6500k full spectrum cfls and moved your plant about two feet under the light you might have a chance to grow your plant.
You will need to keep the lights on for 15 hours a day every day for7-9 months
Cost so far to do this will be with utilities could be in the 250.00 range.
This is just a guess.
To get a good understanding on technique with the use of grow lights go to the Youtube website and use keyword "grow lights" marijuana /bananas and watch some of the videos that are posted.
This is just enough light to sustain a few small plants.
.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7410/13364121055_8d04bf81cb_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/mmWBAg)
Grow lights 3x 68 watt spiral cfl (https://flic.kr/p/mmWBAg)
by
Hostafarian (https://www.flickr.com/photos/110357684@N02/),
on Flickr
Ablessed
09-15-2015, 10:57 AM
Probably not..however if you switched out the bulbs to 300 watt output 6500k full spectrum cfls and moved your plant about two feet under the light you might have a chance to grow your plant.
You will need to keep the lights on for 15 hours a day every day for7-9 months
Cost so far to do this will be with utilities could be in the 250.00 range.
This is just a guess.
To get a good understanding on technique with the use of grow lights go to the Youtube website and use keyword "grow lights" marijuana /bananas and watch some of the videos that are posted.
This is just enough light to sustain a few small plants.
.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7410/13364121055_8d04bf81cb_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/mmWBAg)
Grow lights 3x 68 watt spiral cfl (https://flic.kr/p/mmWBAg)
by
Hostafarian (https://www.flickr.com/photos/110357684@N02/),
on Flickr
This is helpful.
I've begun looking for grow lamps on amazon. Not sure which bulb is the right one. Too bad our chandelier has the bulbs facing upwards. The most I think I could do is two bulbs on lampstands.
I am going to try to upload a picture here:
Did it work? (Not sure how to do it.)
E:\DCIM\110NIKON\DSCN4299.JPG
cincinnana
09-15-2015, 11:49 AM
This is helpful.
I've begun looking for grow lamps on amazon. Not sure which bulb is the right one. Too bad our chandelier has the bulbs facing upwards. The most I think I could do is two bulbs on lampstands.
I am going to try to upload a picture here:
Did it work? (Not sure how to do it.)
E:\DCIM\110NIKON\DSCN4299.JPG
When you get a chance check this Amazon site out; they have items you could use .
Is it the best stuff......no, but it will give you a good idea of what your options are.
Amazon.com : CowboyStudio Photo and Video Studio Umbrella Continuous Lighting Light Kit- 27 feet Stands, 1 Mini Stand and Carry Case : Photographic Studio Equipment : Camera & Photo (http://www.amazon.com/CowboyStudio-Studio-Umbrella-Continuous-Lighting/dp/B001NDYTKA)
Do check out those youtube videos.
Ablessed
09-17-2015, 09:47 AM
Keep us updated, I'm in Montreal so I know how it is. Temperatures getting down around 55 in the night already....
I have replaced four of the five bulbs above the plant with 5000k 13W compact fluorescents. The chandelier faces the bulbs upwards, unfortunately, but it hangs only 14" from the tip of the tallest leaf. I am also counting on the white ceiling to act as an umbrella to reflect light back to the plant.
A baseboard heater will eventually be placed at the base to keep the temp. above 70. I am spraying the plant with water daily.
chris_zx2
09-17-2015, 12:39 PM
A 13w CFL is equivalent to 60 watts. In terms of cost effectiveness I strongly recommend a minimum of 23w. If you can afford the big ones it would better.
I also suggest half 2700k and half 6500k. Although CFL's are full spectrum you want most of the light to be red and blues. Plants use the red and blues most effectively.
To make it clearer a 5000K bulb may put out 25% blue (6500K) and 10% red (2700K) but the remaining 65% will be in the unusable range. If you use the 6500K and 2700K you will be much more efficient.
Also keep in mind reds (2700K) simulate lower sun for fruiting and blues (6500K) simulate middle of summer for vegetative growth.
As well a distance of 6-8" is ideal for growth.
I know all this is hard to accomplish aesthetically, that is why I build my 10 bulb systems (1000W) in spare rooms and I install track lighting with spot bulbs for public areas.
Here is the color charts showing the spectrum's; keep an eye on the reds and blues:
***sorry couldn't find 5000K but it will be mid range greens to blues.
6500K:
http://howtogrowmarijuana.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/GE-6500k-CFL-grow-light.jpg
2700k:
http://www.aussieponics.com/images/uploads/1302700.JPG
lmswayne
09-17-2015, 02:51 PM
Flowers, but no bananas? What a bummer!
Have you tried bringing one indoors?
The first couple of years I battled spider mites. I used homemade concoctions, which were not that effective. Every two weeks I would spray it and trim dry edges off the leaves. Then, last September, I bought Bug B Gon and I only had to spray it once. I didn't have to trim dried edges off the leaves all winter. By spring it looked more healthy than ever and I guess I didn't realize that it was ovulating!
In summer, I usually fertilize it every two weeks with half strength 20-20-20. I wonder, should I keep fertilizing through the winter since it is fruiting?
Will the bananas suffer if it slows down over the winter?
I would keep giving them food and pollinate the flowers with a paint brush give them stronger light and you may get to eat the fruit. It worked for me.
I would keep giving them food and pollinate the flowers with a paint brush give them stronger light and you may get to eat the fruit. It worked for me.I was under the impression that flowers were only for show on non viable seed producing bananas--the ones you eat without breaking your teeth chowing down. Am I wrong? Common figs are essentially virgins; the "fruit" is inverted flowers. But this is not about the sex life of ficus...
Am I supposed to be playing bee if my DC ever flowers?
lmswayne
09-18-2015, 02:17 PM
I was under the impression that flowers were only for show on non viable seed producing bananas--the ones you eat without breaking your teeth chowing down. Am I wrong? Common figs are essentially virgins; the "fruit" is inverted flowers. But this is not about the sex life of ficus...
Am I supposed to be playing bee if my DC ever flowers?
I play bee to be to get the max from my plant that fruit I may not have to but I have gotten a lot of seed that way and my flower keeps growing.
Ablessed
09-18-2015, 10:10 PM
A 13w CFL is equivalent to 60 watts. In terms of cost effectiveness I strongly recommend a minimum of 23w. If you can afford the big ones it would better.
I also suggest half 2700k and half 6500k. Although CFL's are full spectrum you want most of the light to be red and blues. Plants use the red and blues most effectively.
To make it clearer a 5000K bulb may put out 25% blue (6500K) and 10% red (2700K) but the remaining 65% will be in the unusable range. If you use the 6500K and 2700K you will be much more efficient.
Also keep in mind reds (2700K) simulate lower sun for fruiting and blues (6500K) simulate middle of summer for vegetative growth.
As well a distance of 6-8" is ideal for growth.
I know all this is hard to accomplish aesthetically, that is why I build my 10 bulb systems (1000W) in spare rooms and I install track lighting with spot bulbs for public areas.
Here is the color charts showing the spectrum's; keep an eye on the reds and blues:
***sorry couldn't find 5000K but it will be mid range greens to blues.
6500K:
http://howtogrowmarijuana.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/GE-6500k-CFL-grow-light.jpg
2700k:
http://www.aussieponics.com/images/uploads/1302700.JPG
Thank you for the info. I'm gonna have to go with what I have for now. My husband says he's starting to get jealous of all the attn. I'm giving the plant.
Ablessed
09-18-2015, 10:12 PM
I play bee to be to get the max from my plant that fruit I may not have to but I have gotten a lot of seed that way and my flower keeps growing.
Now, y'all have me confused. If I'm seeing little bananas on the plant, then it's already been pollinated, hasn't it?
Now, y'all have me confused. If I'm seeing little bananas on the plant, then it's already been pollinated, hasn't it?Don't be confused. Playing pollinator for non seeded bananas does nothing but make the human bee feel like they're contributing to the eventual crop. Carry on as you have. Male flowers give nothing to edible bananas.
lmswayne
09-19-2015, 03:07 PM
Don't be confused. Playing pollinator for non seeded bananas does nothing but make the human bee feel like they're contributing to the eventual crop. Carry on as you have. Male flowers give nothing to edible bananas.
Thank you Kat did not realize that. Never to old to learn something new. Or to remember things you have forgotten.
Ablessed
09-19-2015, 06:00 PM
Don't be confused. Playing pollinator for non seeded bananas does nothing but make the human bee feel like they're contributing to the eventual crop. Carry on as you have. Male flowers give nothing to edible bananas.
He, he. I don't play bee, but I do play mist-cloud every day. Probably for the same reason.
cincinnana
09-19-2015, 08:59 PM
Lets see a pic of the setup....
sounds real cool......:woohoonaner:
Ablessed
09-19-2015, 10:34 PM
Lets see a pic of the setup....
sound real cool......:woohoonaner:
I'd love to. I can't figure out how to upload a pic from my computer.
chris_zx2
09-19-2015, 10:41 PM
Upload it to the gallery then right click on the picture and copy URL then click the photo button in your reply and paste the link.
Ablessed
09-19-2015, 11:33 PM
Thanks to Chris, I can now show you a could of pics of what's going on around here: (Hope this works)
Here is the turret with my plants:
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=58855
Here are the babies:
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=58854
And here you can see the bulbs above the plant:
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=58856
Jamie p
09-20-2015, 08:59 AM
Thanks to Chris, I can now show you a could of pics of what's going on around here: (Hope this works)
Here is the turret with my plants:
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=58855
Here are the babies:
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=58854
And here you can see the bulbs above the plant:
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=58856
Now that's a beauty!!! Congratulations
chris_zx2
09-20-2015, 05:00 PM
Seriously nice! You would never know your in a location where your snots freeze....:08:
With those windows you can probably get away with less artificial light. I hope no one in Calgary had their bananas out when the snow storm hit.
I just skimmed through this thread quickly again but couldn't indo it.... that is a dwarf Cavendish right?
Ablessed
09-20-2015, 05:45 PM
Seriously nice! You would never know your in a location where your snots freeze....:08:
With those windows you can probably get away with less artificial light. I hope no one in Calgary had their bananas out when the snow storm hit.
I just skimmed through this thread quickly again but couldn't indo it.... that is a dwarf Cavendish right?
Dwarf Cavendish is my guess. I haven't been able to find the original tag for a while. *sigh*
Ablessed
09-20-2015, 09:52 PM
Oh, no. The edges of the leaves are starting to turn black. What is going on?
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=58860&size=1
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=58859&size=1
chris_zx2
09-20-2015, 10:30 PM
How are the new leaves?
Ablessed
09-21-2015, 09:00 AM
How are the new leaves?
The two newest leaves are fine. The rest are troubled.
chris_zx2
09-21-2015, 05:43 PM
Generally you should judge the plant by the new growth. New leaves grow accustomed to the current environment, old leaves grew accustomed to a different environment. Keep an eye on it and check for any creepy crawlies.
Jamie p
09-21-2015, 06:04 PM
Could be a potassium problem . I always put just a little Sul,po,mag on my plants every now and then but like what was said before a change in environment can cause things to.
cincinnana
09-22-2015, 08:04 AM
Thanks to Chris, I can now show you a could of pics of what's going on around here: (Hope this works):woohoonaner:
And here you can see the bulbs above the plant:
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=58856
Just tossing this out .....this will double your light output while keeping the wattage below safe levels for the socket ....the double socket, but you will have to take the diffusers off the fixture for the added space they take up.
23 watt and 68 watt cfl spirals
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5668/21003791713_766d3cbc3b_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/y12VvT)
Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/y12VvT)
by Hostafarian (https://www.flickr.com/photos/110357684@N02/), on Flickr
.
Generally you should judge the plant by the new growth. New leaves grow accustomed to the current environment, old leaves grew accustomed to a different environment. Keep an eye on it and check for any creepy crawlies.
Could be a potassium problem . I always put just a little Sul,po,mag on my plants every now and then but like what was said before a change in environment can cause things to.
You guys are right, a change in environment will affect your plants. some bananas tolerate the change better than others.
Photos are current.
.https://farm1.staticflickr.com/696/21390672850_a07897ae6e_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/yAdMNj)
Fall colors (https://flic.kr/p/yAdMNj) by
Hostafarian (https://www.flickr.com/photos/110357684@N02/), on Flickr
Ablessed
09-22-2015, 06:26 PM
Generally you should judge the plant by the new growth. New leaves grow accustomed to the current environment, old leaves grew accustomed to a different environment. Keep an eye on it and check for any creepy crawlies.
This sounds good. Makes sense.
Should I trim them? That is what I used to do, but then I had to do it again every two weeks. Looks nicer though...and I do want to show it off to visitors, y' know.
Ablessed
09-22-2015, 06:30 PM
I would just bring it in like you always do, seems to be working for you so far. You might not spray the fruit with bug be gone though if you want to eat them, not sure if that one is for edibles. Maybe they will finish producing indoors. Its a job if you have a lot of plants, but I just spray the leaves with water in a spray bottle and wipe them down with paper towels, it can help to control spider mites.
I only have the one plant. But I think I'll use the Bug B Gone because of the leaves turning black on the edges. I have the kind that says, "Can be used on edible crops up to and including day of harvest."
chris_zx2
09-22-2015, 07:10 PM
To me that's really more of a personal choice. I do it if its bad, but if its not bad and you keep cutting the plant will be putting a lot of energy into healing the cut.
Ablessed
09-22-2015, 07:32 PM
To me that's really more of a personal choice. I do it if its bad, but if its not bad and you keep cutting the plant will be putting a lot of energy into healing the cut.
Ohhh. I don't want to take away energy. The newest bananas still seem so small. The red petals are dropping like crazy, but the bananas are growing very slowly. Do they still look normal?
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=58884&size=1
Never knew bananas could occupy so much of my time.:2738:
chris_zx2
09-23-2015, 09:46 PM
Can't help you there, but everyone seems to say that the first bunches are always small.
Ablessed
09-29-2015, 10:50 PM
Ablessed is in Manitoba
I get small green fruit which never ripens, and by December the fruit falls off.
Does mildew have a part in this process? My flower stalk has some mildew on the underside, where it lay on the green leaf.
Red Sky
09-29-2015, 11:40 PM
Flowers, but no bananas? What a bummer!
Have you tried bringing one indoors?
The first couple of years I battled spider mites. I used homemade concoctions, which were not that effective. Every two weeks I would spray it and trim dry edges off the leaves. Then, last September, I bought Bug B Gon and I only had to spray it once. I didn't have to trim dried edges off the leaves all winter. By spring it looked more healthy than ever and I guess I didn't realize that it was ovulating!
In summer, I usually fertilize it every two weeks with half strength 20-20-20. I wonder, should I keep fertilizing through the winter since it is fruiting?
Will the bananas suffer if it slows down over the winter?
I battled spider mites in a grow room. Spider mite predators work wonders. Google them, then buy some.
Thanks to Chris, I can now show you a could of pics of what's going on around here: (Hope this works)
Here is the turret with my plants:
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=58855
Here are the babies:
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=58854
And here you can see the bulbs above the plant:
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=58856If you don't mind the aesthetics, by lining the ceiling with reflective film (http://www.planetnatural.com/product-category/growing-indoors/grow-rooms/mylar-reflective-film/) you can multiply the amount of light your plants receive.
Does mildew have a part in this process? My flower stalk has some mildew on the underside, where it lay on the green leaf.Sure does. What is your average humidity in the turret? You may need to lay off the spraying, use more ventilation or both. Don't mist where water will collect and sit like the flower stalk where it touches the leaf.
Ablessed
10-01-2015, 11:13 AM
UPDATE:
Many of the red petals have fallen off, or I have gently pulled them off because they were shriveled. They have revealed tiny bananas, with already blackened flower tips. Do you think these are going to grow any bigger? I am wondering if they have stopped growing.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=58918&size=1
Note the fan in the background.
Ablessed
10-01-2015, 11:19 AM
I battled spider mites in a grow room. Spider mite predators work wonders. Google them, then buy some.
If you don't mind the aesthetics, by lining the ceiling with reflective film (http://www.planetnatural.com/product-category/growing-indoors/grow-rooms/mylar-reflective-film/) you can multiply the amount of light your plants receive.
Sure does. What is your average humidity in the turret? You may need to lay off the spraying, use more ventilation or both. Don't mist where water will collect and sit like the flower stalk where it touches the leaf.
Thanks. This is good advice. I've stopped spraying and might have to get out the dehumidifier. These windows always have water droplets in the winter, so I think the bananas will collect moisture too.
I have also found out that the bananas will stop growing if the soil temp goes below 68 F. So I've wrapped the pot in towels at night sometimes.
The humidistat in this room is set at 48.
Red Sky
10-01-2015, 04:29 PM
People here use these soil warming cables (http://www.quill.com/greenhouse-accessories/cbs/51190579.html?cm_mmc=SEM_PLA_OF_51190579) outside for their tropical trees during our mild frosts, but they should work well to warm your pots there.
chris_zx2
10-01-2015, 11:43 PM
I would probably just get a small heater. It will also dehumidify the room. I can't speak for the cables but seems like a good option too.
Ablessed
10-02-2015, 09:41 PM
Okay, so now I know where these bananas are at! Thanks to pitangadiego, I now understand that these are male flowers that have emerged on the stalk. I was waiting for them to grow larger and have been very nervous that things were not going well. But these are male flowers and the other 22 (or so) will be the only bananas I will get this time around. The mildew has dried up due to the fan blowing and everything seems to be fine now! I can relax now! This is a beautiful process and I am blessed to experience this in my own home!
:woohoonaner:
(New pic coming ... upload won't work right now)
Ablessed
10-07-2015, 04:38 PM
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=58952&size=1
chris_zx2
10-07-2015, 04:54 PM
Beautiful, did you know you can eat the flower and the heart of the pstem?
Ablessed
10-07-2015, 05:58 PM
Beautiful, did you know you can eat the flower and the heart of the pstem?
Yes! I'll have to look how to do that. Should I do it now or later when the bananas are beginning to ripen?
Ablessed
10-07-2015, 06:02 PM
Night time temperatures are now down to almost 60 F. (Day time is still 70 F). Is this okay, or should I be warming the plant at night? I know that soil temps should be 68 F or above, but will the cooler nights affect it that easily?
Ablessed
10-10-2015, 09:39 PM
Seriously nice! You would never know your in a location where your snots freeze....:08:
With those windows you can probably get away with less artificial light. I hope no one in Calgary had their bananas out when the snow storm hit.
I just skimmed through this thread quickly again but couldn't indo it.... that is a dwarf Cavendish right?
Here is a pic of the pups. Those spots on the leaves mean it's a dwarf Cavendish, right?
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=58956&size=1
Ablessed
10-10-2015, 10:30 PM
Here is a pic of the pups. Those spots on the leaves mean it's a dwarf Cavendish, right?
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=58956&size=1
I just read on this website:Musa (Banana Dwarf Cavendish) | Our House Plants (http://www.ourhouseplants.com/plants/musa-banana) the following statement regarding the spots: "This is the tell tale sign you have a true Dwarf Cavendish. Young plants will have these blotches although as they mature they will disappear."
Now I know for sure!
:0490:
chris_zx2
10-11-2015, 02:15 PM
I didn't know that. I knew DC had the purple just didn't know they were the only ones. It's weird I got 21 pups that are supposed to be from the same plant and some had purple and others don't. It could just be that they don't have them YET.
If you ever have too many pups let me know. Shipping via Canada Post is relatively inexpensive.
Here is a pic of the pups. Those spots on the leaves mean it's a dwarf Cavendish, right?
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=58956&size=1
Sorry to contradict you guys but it means it's probably a cavendish cultivar. Not automatically a DC.
By the way, nice job! They look very nice now. I'm impressed. It's not easy to make them fruit inside a house.
I didn't know that. I knew DC had the purple just didn't know they were the only ones. It's weird I got 21 pups that are supposed to be from the same plant and some had purple and others don't. It could just be that they don't have them YET.
If you ever have too many pups let me know. Shipping via Canada Post is relatively inexpensive.
Sorry Chris but they come from a couple of plants that are supposed to be the same variety wich was unidentified. Markings on the leaves come and go but it doesn't mean it'll be there now.
How are they so far? Hope they're inside!!! I've gotten everything inside 2 weeks ago. So far, so good. Except for my tea bush. It's full of aphids. I have to find a natural way to get rid of those.
Ablessed
10-11-2015, 04:42 PM
Sorry Chris but they come from a couple of plants that are supposed to be the same variety wich was unidentified. Markings on the leaves come and go but it doesn't mean it'll be there now.
How are they so far? Hope they're inside!!! I've gotten everything inside 2 weeks ago. So far, so good. Except for my tea bush. It's full of aphids. I have to find a natural way to get rid of those.
Ugh! Aphids are the reason that I don't bring outdoor plants indoors. I had an aphid problem in my house two winters ago because I brought a plant inside. They spread mostly among my hibiscuses. I lost one plant because of them. Nope, I won't do that again.
I'm spraying the **** out of them tomorrow with a mixture of water-dish soap- mineral oil and garlic juice. Hope it works!!!
Ablessed
10-11-2015, 10:20 PM
I'm spraying the **** out of them tomorrow with a mixture of water-dish soap- mineral oil and garlic juice. Hope it works!!!
I tried that. Did the cayenne pepper thing and had us all sneezing. Didn't work though. When spring came, I took them out and hosed them down hard with water, twice. Then I discarded the top half-inch of soil. After the sun dried them I took them back inside and the problem was solved.
It's a long time until spring though. If it's still warm where you live, maybe you can do it now. Otherwise I would just use Bug-B-Gone.
chris_zx2
10-15-2015, 01:07 PM
There all inside and doing great! In fact a bunch of the pups have pups, some even have 2 pups!
About the aphids, when I brought my Cayenne plant in this year it had aphids. I threw it in the bathtub and sprayed the sh#$ out of it with a mixture of water, dish soap, horticulture oil and rubbing alcohol. It works different than pesticides as it does not continuously kill so you need to reapply every 2-3 days for 2-3 weeks as newly born aphids won't have been exposed.
I do pesticides on all my other plants before I bring them in if they aren't bearing anything edible and this stops any spreading.
Also once aphids create a large colony they create winged offspring that will fly to other plants so take care ASAP!
subsonicdrone
10-15-2015, 06:07 PM
there were millions of ladybird beetles washed up on the beach the other day (still alive)
i knew i should have gathered some up!
Ablessed
10-16-2015, 10:15 PM
The bananas are still doing well! Thanks to this long, warm fall. And thanks to the good advice of many of YOU!
Here are my new questions:
It will be harder to keep the temps up at night. Is it okay if the night temps are around 66-68F?
Should I keep fertilizing (bi-weekly) through the winter until the fruiting is done? I have stopped fertilizing my other plants now.
Sometimes I leave the house and return after the sun has gone down. Then I turn on the lights. Is this bad for the plant? A timer on a light switch sounds complicated.
Thanks for any advice.
chris_zx2
10-16-2015, 10:22 PM
You can buy light switch that are timers. You would simply need to swap the switch (couple screws).
I wouldn't fertilize as the plant has stocked up what it needs till the end I would think.
The temp is OK but will slow things down. Not sure how it might affect fruit but your still in tolerances for the plant.
Before I had my timer I would just turn the light when I got up and turned it off when i went to bed.
Ablessed
03-19-2016, 10:36 PM
UPDATE!
Thank you to all of you who helped me care for these bananas this winter! I noticed recently that they were getting more plump. Today I saw that one of them had become detached and so I removed it and ate it!!
Delicious!!!
I have not removed the rest of them. How urgent is it that I remove them? Are their days numbered? How fast will the rest of them ripen? Do I still have to put them into a dark place? Would that have been better than allowing them to ripen on the tree?
I will post a pic as soon as I am able.
:woohoonaner::goteam:
exovetek
03-19-2016, 11:29 PM
UPDATE!
Thank you to all of you who helped me care for these bananas this winter! I noticed recently that they were getting more plump. Today I saw that one of them had become detached and so I removed it and ate it!!
Delicious!!!
I have not removed the rest of them. How urgent is it that I remove them? Are their days numbered? How fast will the rest of them ripen? Do I still have to put them into a dark place? Would that have been better than allowing them to ripen on the tree?
I will post a pic as soon as I am able.
:woohoonaner::goteam:
If you cut them all at once, then they will ripen all at once. just remove a couple per day to extend harvest. Commercial bananas are picked well before they are ripe so they can be transported without spoiling.
Ablessed
03-20-2016, 07:59 AM
If you cut them all at once, then they will ripen all at once. just remove a couple per day to extend harvest. Commercial bananas are picked well before they are ripe so they can be transported without spoiling.
Very good advice, thank you!
Ablessed
03-20-2016, 08:11 AM
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=59559 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=59559&ppuser=14868)
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=59560 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=59560&ppuser=14868)
Wow! They're so cute and perfect!
gmichael403
03-21-2016, 01:01 PM
Very cool and congrats!!
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