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Topsailbananas
07-20-2016, 12:54 PM
This is my first post and first attempt to grow bananas. I live in coastal NC. The local nursery had a sale on banana plants. I bought five (two basjoo, manzano, dwarf Cavendish, and goldfinger), from half-gallon containers, and planted them about a month ago. The daytime temps are around 90. I have been watering them daily. My plants don’t seem to be growing. In the middle of the day the leaves fold over but open back up later when it cools off. Is this normal? Is it too hot? Do they need shade? Is there anything I can do to ensure a healthy start. Anything to avoid? Fertilizer? Thanks in advance.

sputinc7
07-20-2016, 08:08 PM
Have you fertilized them at all, and if so, with what? How much water do you give them daily? Got any pics? The folding down in the daytime is normal.
Oh, and welcome!

Topsailbananas
07-20-2016, 08:22 PM
Thanks Sputinc7. When I planted them I mixed black kow compost into my sandy soil and finished by watering them with miracle gro quick start (4-12-4). I spray water around the base but the soil usually seems moist. No pics yet. I can post some tomorrow.

sputinc7
07-20-2016, 09:13 PM
Everything sounds ok so far... No growth at all or just kinda slow? As a reference, they usually make a new leaf every week or so. Some are faster than others.
One other thing to consider,while Basjoo is cold hardy,(Down to about ten degrees I think) the dwarf Cavendish, and maybe the others are not very cold hardy.(Say 27-28 is as low as they go) How cold does your winter get?

Topsailbananas
07-20-2016, 09:22 PM
Maybe one leaf in three weeks. I am planing an elaborate over wintering scheme that hopefully will work for all my plants. It can get pretty cold here, definitely into the mid 20's, sometimes colder. Thanks Sputinc7

sputinc7
07-20-2016, 09:28 PM
Maybe this will help.. http://www.bananas.org/f15/overwintering-basjoo-37379.html

dessiattire
08-02-2016, 04:06 AM
Thanks for the information.