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View Full Version : New Banana Grower in Phoenix


bamato
05-06-2020, 02:09 PM
So I'm new to the banana scene here in Phoenix AZ. My wife recently picked up a blue java for us to try in the backyard. We selected a spot under a mesquite tree so it would get filtered sun/shade after 12pm. I dug the hole about 24 inches deep and about 3 feet wide, and filled it with cactus mix, compost, and steer manure. I added about a 2-3 inch layer of mulch on top. Seemed to be doing well for the first week, but we're in record heat now 100-107 and I'm starting to see significant droop during the day. I've had a new leaf come out and it is fairly yellow, and there's already a new one coming in behind it. I was watering every day, but backed off to every other day as I don't want to over water (currently I'm hand watering very deeply). We also gave it a few ounces of 16-8-24 fertilizer in a gallon of water two days ago.

TLDR, I'm hoping the heat is just causing some stress and all is well. Any suggestions on water? We watered yesterday and its still "wet" on our soil moisture meter. The hole has excellent drainage. Here's some pics. Help put a newbie at ease please, heh.

*Edit, I'm trying to upload pics to my gallery to share here (per instructions) but they don't seem to want to upload. I'll keep trying, they may come later.

Figured it out.

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=65965&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=65965&ppuser=32438)

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=65964&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=65964&ppuser=32438)

Iowa
05-06-2020, 03:06 PM
*Edit, I'm trying to upload pics to my gallery to share here (per instructions) but they don't seem to want to upload. I'll keep trying, they may come later.[/QUOTE]

Your pics may be too large, they need to be 2MB or smaller.

bamato
05-06-2020, 03:13 PM
*Edit, I'm trying to upload pics to my gallery to share here (per instructions) but they don't seem to want to upload. I'll keep trying, they may come later.

Your pics may be too large, they need to be 2MB or smaller.[/QUOTE]

Weird, I thought it said 5mb. Okay, I'll resize and try again.

smeash
05-06-2020, 06:55 PM
Hi there! So Im new to the banana scene as well, but have, and continue, to learn a lot as I go. Im in NW FL, zone 9a.. my plants droop like yours in the heat of the day, and almost all of my new leaves come out light green/pale yellow. However, they turn dark green within a day or so of emergence. I would think with your temps, your plant would droop even in the shade.. you could try misting it during the hottest part of the day. Our temps have been mid 80s, and relatively low humidity, which is uncommon for us. Perhaps a thick mulch layer would help maintain moisture and increase humidity near your plant.. im sure folks much smarter than me on the topic will chime in shortly.. best of luck!

LukeSkyWRX
05-07-2020, 10:44 AM
Not the best time to plant so you will have to be extra loving.

Totally normal with the droop, they should bounce back at night when the sun is off of them in the evening and in the morning. if not then you need more shade to start.

Where did you get your plants from? if they had them under shade cloth at the nursery you need to continue that till they can adjust, I use 30% coverage on my baby plants as a good middle ground to getting them out into full sun.

Don't forget sulfur/soil pH


Where are you at, I am in Tempe.

bamato
05-07-2020, 11:29 AM
Thanks Luke, I have noticed they tend to look much better in the evening and in the morning.

We got the 3g plant from Whitfil, and I have two pups currently in pots that I ordered from tropicamango in AJ. The 3g was under shade cloth at Whitfil, so we kept it in partial shade for a few weeks (I was also trying to figure out where I wanted to plant it).

Soil pH looks good, around 7. Sulfur is in the fertilizer I used.

I'm on the Tempe/Mesa border at Price and Baseline.