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andrewsion
03-23-2016, 12:46 PM
so i have finally purchased a Banana 'Dwarf Cavendish' and i am completely new to this. I am basically looking for any advice that anyone can give me as to starting to grow this plant and what i would need etc. I have done some research but i keep finding so many different methods. What works well for you guys?. I am living in wales, UK so the climate is very cold and therefore would have to grow the plant indoors.

JP
03-23-2016, 01:03 PM
Hi. What's your setup like?

andrewsion
03-23-2016, 01:19 PM
Hello.

so far i have bought the plant. it is being delivered tomorrow. I have basic peat based compost and a pot. I am completely new to this and was looking for help as to building a set up. Living in the uk means that its cold so that plant needs to be grown insde. What would you suggest i need to get in order to grown the plant?

JP
03-23-2016, 01:36 PM
Mix coarse sand in your mix , at least 40%, and put gravel at the bottom.
What kind of lightning will you use?

andrewsion
03-23-2016, 01:38 PM
Ok. first thing tomorrow i will get some coarse sand and mix around 40% into my peat based soil. As far as lighting goes, this is where im struggling. I was going to buy a 600w light but wasnt sure on what i needed. i have also looked into hydrponics. what would you suggest?

Narnia
03-23-2016, 04:15 PM
In what climate zone will the plant be growing?

andrewsion
03-23-2016, 04:19 PM
It's a cold climate so I need to somehow grow it indoors and try and make the perfect climate for the plant

Kat2
03-23-2016, 04:31 PM
This Wikipedia shows (or purports to show) equivalent US growing zones for your area. I think. I hope. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_of_the_United_Kingdom Does it make sense to you? If so, which zone are you?

JP
03-23-2016, 04:40 PM
I grow them in my basement and put them out for summer. My climate is worst than yours. If you don't have a greenhouse, you'll need to add light. I use T8's fluorescent tubes. It's good enough to maintain them 'til late spring. I'm not hoping to get fruits during winter with that kind of lightning. If you want better results, you can always use 1000 watts sodium lamps. Do not overwater when inside. Let the soil dry between waterings. You've got a nice variety to start with. It's so cheap that if you loose it, you won't loose much. Some varieties are way harder to get and cost a lot more. I lost my 6 first nanners before I joined this forum. They were mostly cheap ones to practice with... Now that I got the hang of it I can get some more desirable varieties. It's a fun hobby and you're at the right place to learn.

andrewsion
03-23-2016, 04:40 PM
Hello. I have had a look but can't seem to find what your asking for. I am in Wales if that helps. Just to give you an idea I will be growing this plant indoors and would like to try and mimic the best possible habitat for the plant. If this means I need to buy lights. Heaters. Fogging and misting machines then that's what I will do. Do you know what best set up I would need?

andrewsion
03-23-2016, 04:43 PM
Growing in your basement gives me great confidence. At least I know it will actually work. Can you please let me know kW everything I need and what to do. I know it's a lot to ask but the more I know will make things work better. If you can let me know own what I need from soul to lights etc then I would really appreciate that

JP
03-23-2016, 04:44 PM
Ok. first thing tomorrow i will get some coarse sand and mix around 40% into my peat based soil. As far as lighting goes, this is where im struggling. I was going to buy a 600w light but wasnt sure on what i needed. i have also looked into hydrponics. what would you suggest?

What will you use to fertilize?

JP
03-23-2016, 04:47 PM
Growing in your basement gives me great confidence. At least I know it will actually work. Can you please let me know kW everything I need and what to do. I know it's a lot to ask but the more I know will make things work better. If you can let me know own what I need from soul to lights etc then I would really appreciate that

I use 2 double tracks of 4 feet long fluorescent T8's. The cheapest way I found to maintain them without putting them dormant.

Kat2
03-23-2016, 04:49 PM
Do you live anywhere on this map? https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:UK_zonemap.png If so, can you state which number is yours? Even if you live in zone 7, you do not have to grow your plant inside year round unless you have no available outdoor space. Dwarf Cavendish is not the hardiest fruiting musa; there are some, that with a little bit of effort, can winter outside in zone 9. If you are not limited to the great indoors, advice for you would be different.

andrewsion
03-23-2016, 05:11 PM
I would be in zone 9

andrewsion
03-23-2016, 05:12 PM
OK I'll have a look into the t8 lights to see if I can get some. How many plants is this light OK for? And also I'm not sure about fertilisers

andrewsion
03-23-2016, 05:14 PM
Just looking into some lights. There are so many florescent lights. I'm there a specific light as the ones I'm finding are your general house lights

JP
03-23-2016, 06:14 PM
As I recall, zone 9 in UK is not the same as US. It's pretty windy over there and a lot of cold rain, right?

andrewsion
03-23-2016, 06:36 PM
Yes it's quite windy here at times and yes it's quite cold. That's why I have chosen to grow indoors and to use light and heat for the plant

JP
03-23-2016, 06:58 PM
Are you going to put it outside for the warm season?

andrewsion
03-23-2016, 07:02 PM
I can do but I would prefer to have it inside. I would like to set up a system that will give the plant everything it has in its natural environment. I need lights. Humidity and heat etc.

andrewsion
03-23-2016, 07:02 PM
What would really be helpful is if someone can give me a step by step guide to potting the plant. What fertiliser to use. How much of water etc. So pretty much a guide for when I receive the plant tomorrow and what to buy etc

JP
03-23-2016, 07:37 PM
I use a mix of 40-50% coarse sand, 20% composted manure (cow and sheep) and the rest is garden soil or potting soil. Works for me.
If you want fruit, I don't think T8's are going to be enough...
At that point, you may want to ask someone with more experience. There's a lot of great people here with a lot more experience than me.
I'm just aiming to keep them alive until the next growing season for the moment. I have plans for a greenhouse in a near future.

Kat2
03-23-2016, 07:50 PM
Yes it's quite windy here at times and yes it's quite cold. That's why I have chosen to grow indoors and to use light and heat for the plantIt can be very windy here also. However, we probably have more sunny days than you do; sun can be blistering here.

When I lived in what was technically a zone 6 (NW edge of Washington, DC) according to older maps, I raised plants that grow like weeds outside here. (My zone here is technically 9 but behaves moves like 10.) I did not grow bananas then but I did have a calamondin orange, snake plant and pony tail palm (purchased at 5" tall but 20 years later was 6') among others. (I don't remember all 30 or so I had.)

They spent their winters in front of a floor to ceiling south facing poorly insulated plate glass window; I used no extra lighting or heating. I fertilized with generic Miracle Grow about once a month. They were in regular potting soil. They were watered weekly for the most part until their drainage bowls were full. They looked fine during the winter (snake plant bloomed) but they were obviously thrilled when I set them out for the 7 months of not winter. Bees made sure I picked little oranges in November. I firmly believe you get better results if you can let plants enjoy nature for part of the year. Since that's not your choice, I'm no help I guess.

Kevin2685
03-23-2016, 07:53 PM
You have to take into consideration how much room you have.how much height are you working with?
I would make sure for grow lights the bulbs you get are 6500k.
You want something that mimics daylight.
What size pot are you going to use?
Don't go for the deepest pot,find one that has some good width also as their roots like to spread out.
I haven't tried growing them inside for an extended period of time indoors it's either to start them or just to maintain them.they grow much better outside for me.
Humidity is important they don't like the dry warm air during winter when we bring them in. I always have problems like many others do with mites indoors so humidity would help with that but you still want to always check for those things inside cause they have no other predators just you :)
Good luck with this venture.

a.hulva@coxinet.net
03-23-2016, 08:40 PM
so i have finally purchased a Banana 'Dwarf Cavendish' and i am completely new to this. I am basically looking for any advice that anyone can give me as to starting to grow this plant and what i would need etc. I have done some research but i keep finding so many different methods. What works well for you guys?. I am living in wales, UK so the climate is very cold and therefore would have to grow the plant indoors.

A picture would help a bunch. How long have you had it? :08:

andrewsion
03-24-2016, 05:24 AM
hello everyone. Im sure you can help kat. i will be growing a few plants and i can do some outside. So where are we.

My plant will arrive anytime now. what should i do to plant it in a pot etc. whats the steps i need to take

andrewsion
03-24-2016, 06:37 AM
https://plus.google.com/u/0/112838520583313636894/posts/HCxFd4ENDun?pid=6265580742211763762&oid=112838520583313636894

cincinnana
03-24-2016, 07:08 AM
I can do but I would prefer to have it inside. I would like to set up a system that will give the plant everything it has in its natural environment. I need lights. Humidity and heat etc.

For all you need to know about growing these plants inside there are many accurate informative Youtube video to watch. Use keywords "grow lights for bananas or marijuana" both plants require similar setups for indoors.
the videos are very detailed.
You will also find a setup that can match your budget..

Expect to pay 350.00 and up but there are a lot of good dyi videos also to help keep the cost down.

Check out this link to get you started...Banana Cultivation In Non-Tropical Climates (http://www.plantsthatproduce.com/guide-fruiting-banana.html)

Kat2
03-24-2016, 12:52 PM
andrew, do you grow other houseplants? If so, what? If not, try to keep this simple. You need light; do you have windows that get decent sunlight? Assuming this is a TC or small potted plant, I'd start with at least a 1 gallon size (not sure what the equivalent measure would be there). Fill it with soil/materials as suggested by others. I don't fertilize my outside musas very much but they're growing in good compost; having never grown these inside, I don't know what's needed so, again, listen to others. At the least you need good potting soil, a decent sized pot with a drainage saucer (helpful if you travel and don't have someone caring for your plant when you're away) and sufficient light to get started. If she doesn't seem happy after a couple of weeks, post pictures and someone will advise you.

andrewsion
03-24-2016, 03:56 PM
Hi Kim. Thanks for your advice. I haven't really grown many plants but I'm doing a lot of research and trying different things etc. I have now planted her and she looks a little limp but that's understandable. Il will keep you updated. Thanks ks for your help

mushtaq86
03-25-2016, 02:59 PM
so i have finally purchased a Banana 'Dwarf Cavendish' and i am completely new to this. I am basically looking for any advice that anyone can give me as to starting to grow this plant and what i would need etc. I have done some research but i keep finding so many different methods. What works well for you guys?. I am living in wales, UK so the climate is very cold and therefore would have to grow the plant indoors.

Hi Andrew

My first question to yourself is are you growing Dwarf Cavendish, for foliage or fruit, if its for foliage, you should have bought a Musa Basjoo. Musa Basjoo can be kept outside all year round in the UK and will be fine unless we have a severe cold winter, even then it can be wrapped. Basjoo will not give you edible fruit.

Dwarf Cavendish or the Cavendish family require warmth year round for growth and fruit in the UK. Min temperature 18C day, 10c min night, best place for that would be a Greenhouse or a conservatory, cost to heat would be not cheap from November to April, could be upto £1000-£1500:eek:.Growing the plant indoors would not be adequate unless you live in a mansion, as you would need ceiling height and a large south facing window, not to mention constant misting of the leaves for red spider mite, constant water drip from leaves could also be a problem if you have carpets.Dwarf Cavendish can not be used as a summer bedding plant in the UK, summers are not warm enough for it to thrive.