View Full Version : New to Banana plants
pacarp
08-31-2008, 09:46 AM
My husband and I just bought a house in Florida and have found that we have banana plants. If anyone could help with care information, it would be greatly appreciated. :waving:
I have fruit and do not know when to cut and they seem to be disappearing from the plant. They only seem to be about 5" long and the blossom on the bottom is dropping pedals.
830
831
Taylor
08-31-2008, 10:18 AM
Banana plants are easy to take care of, and it sure adds a tropical aspect to your yard.
First, fertilize about 2 or 3 times throughout the growing season. Some people say more, but I (in Virginia...where I have to protect them in winter) only do 2 or 3 times.
Second, water them about once or 2 times a week...depending on if you get rain.
The losing petals is normal...those are the male flowers. The female flowers are your edible bananas.
Cut them when you see the first hand (top hand) turn yellow or whenever they look plump and let them ripen. you can cut off the whole bunch, or just one finger at a time to eat as they begin to ripen.
The first to steps aren't necessary...since you have fruit already, you probably have nice soil and water. On the other hand, you would have more fruits and bigger fruits if you fertilized and watered.
That's about all the care there is to bananas. You can maintain the mat by cutting off suckers, but I don't see them as a problem.
Rambling on... oops
Enjoy the fruits!
Taylor
Dean W.
08-31-2008, 05:32 PM
Welcome to the forum!:waving:
Nancy
09-01-2008, 02:07 PM
That's some nice looking fruit! My husband and I also were initially perplexed when the flowers suddenly started dropping from our first banana plant. I thought I was doing something wrong. Indeed, as Taylor said, they're just male flowers and this is perfectly normal. In Florida, I think you'll probably want to fertilize more often. I fertilize -- although not heavily -- every month or so while growing conditions are good (i.e., while it's warm and not during a drought), and that seems to work well in Tallahassee.
Kylie2x
09-01-2008, 06:23 PM
Hey and a Big Welcome from Texas!
Congrats on the new home.. Looks like you got a great yard to go with it.. Taylor pretty much covered it.. There is loads of info here.. Not a question that can't be answered...LOL I look forward to seeing you around!
Kylie:waving:
buzzwinder
09-01-2008, 06:55 PM
Welcome to the Org. pacarp :bananas_b
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