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sirdoofus
08-19-2019, 01:48 PM
The 2 bigger plants are the younger ones (shoots) from this thread, http://www.bananas.org/f30/overwatered-49471.html

They both stayed inside and the older, now smallest one, went outside. I am going to move it back inside to see if its retarded growth is a function of the stress I caused it earlier or it just didn't like it where I had it outside.

I will post another update if anything significant happens.http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=65156

beam2050
08-19-2019, 01:59 PM
you need them in larger pots. 50% perlite

sirdoofus
08-19-2019, 05:41 PM
Thanks Beam - The one in the middle is the only one not in a 50% perlite mix and the 2 bigger ones seem to be growing well, at least as far as I can tell with my VERY limited banana seedling growing experience.

I don't think the roots on the bigger plants have used more than probably 50% of the space in those pots, and the little one is growing so slowly I am sure its probably less than that. Do you still think it is worth doing at this time?

Thank you very much for taking the time to advise the newbies.

beam2050
08-20-2019, 03:02 AM
Thanks Beam - The one in the middle is the only one not in a 50% perlite mix and the 2 bigger ones seem to be growing well, at least as far as I can tell with my VERY limited banana seedling growing experience.

I don't think the roots on the bigger plants have used more than probably 50% of the space in those pots, and the little one is growing so slowly I am sure its probably less than that. Do you still think it is worth doing at this time?

Thank you very much for taking the time to advise the newbies.

yes its worth doing helps keep you from overwatering for one. many roots will want to go downwards and need space for that for 2. and 3 some grow very quickly in pots.

my tc's go in pots the first minute I get them. pot size depends on the size of the plant.

but if you really want to get them to go is in the ground with 50% shade cloth to keep the sun off them.

edwmax
08-20-2019, 08:10 AM
As Beam stated large pots will help keep you from over watering. The soil will hold more water without be overly wet and you would then only need to water about every 10 days. ... Get a long stem moisture meter to make sure the soil in the bottom & middle of the pot is near dry before watering. ... Make sure the pot drains very well & fast and do not let it sit in the excess water that drains out.


Remember these are tropical plants accustom to high humidity in its natural habitat. In the home (Airconditioning) and most areas of the US & Can, the humidity is low. So misting the leaves will help to keep the plant from drying out and take on additional water while the roots & corm are growing.


Also, vertical green growth may seem slow. That's because the plant has to grow its corm and roots system. So misting the plant with a weak solution of miracle grow about every 7 to 10 days would help to

supplement nutrients while the corm grows. ... Don't over fertilize the pot and burn the roots. 2 teaspoons of balanced fertilizer in the pot should be good for a couple of months.

sirdoofus
08-20-2019, 05:41 PM
Done - thank you very much you two, that all makes sense, much appreciated!

sirdoofus
08-20-2019, 09:44 PM
Another quick question: Beam, you mention TCs - I have just kind of assumed that meant tissue culture clones, however in the context of your advice, I am not so sure I am understanding it correctly. What exactly does TC mean if I am incorrect in my assumption? And if it does mean tissue culture clone, how do they differ from regular seedlings once they are potted in regular potting mix?

sirdoofus
08-21-2019, 10:31 AM
Yet another question - after moving the small plant inside and spraying it with a soapy solution for mites, etc., I have noticed some fine fungal growth on the top of the soil, which of course isn't unexpected. Just wondering what you all might recommend for dealing with it? Should i replace the soil completely and dip the roots, should i use some sort of antifungal solution/spray, other?

I did spray one small corner of the soil surface with a 10% NaClO solution (1 part laundry bleach and 9 parts water) just to see what might happen

It is separated from my other plants, so I don't think there is much worry about cross contamination.

Again, thank you very much for the assistance.

beam2050
08-21-2019, 10:39 AM
Another quick question: Beam, you mention TCs - I have just kind of assumed that meant tissue culture clones, however in the context of your advice, I am not so sure I am understanding it correctly. What exactly does TC mean if I am incorrect in my assumption? And if it does mean tissue culture clone, how do they differ from regular seedlings once they are potted in regular potting mix?

i have bought a lot of tc's to plant and not to sell. killed a lot of them learning how to keep them alive. the members here have helped immensely in this department.

well when I see a plant that size in those pots I immediately assume tc. at this point doesn't matter if I am wrong, plants that size need to go in a larger pot. 6'' might do 8" would be better.

sorry about the confusion.

sirdoofus
08-21-2019, 01:20 PM
No worries at all, more my ignorance than your explanation. Thank you for clarifying.

SoCal2warm
09-04-2019, 10:13 PM
Here's one of my Helen's Hybrid seedlings I grew from seed

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=65275 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=65229&ppuser=28688)


I'd show you more pictures of all the different stages of growth it went through, including seed germination, but pictures are really hard to post on this forum.
It's indoors inside and contained in a warm humid grow enclosure under constant artificial light. It is surprisingly fast growing. That banana you see is only a little more than 2 months old. I got the seeds exactly 76 days ago, and then it took that seed 11 days wrapped in a moist paper towel inside a sealed plastic bag to begin to germinate.