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vars108
10-25-2008, 01:26 PM
Hi. I just found out about this site whilst looking for a particular plant. I am in the process of doing some gardening and am looking for a neem leaf tree.
These add interesting flavor to rice and other dishes. I actually do have some banana trees so I guess that I am a qualified new member. Let us see if my banana trees actually produce...

Tog Tan
10-25-2008, 01:35 PM
Welcome to the site vars108, you will sure gonna have fun here! As far as I know about the Neem tree, Azadirachta indica, see if you can get a seedling from Burma. It is proven scientifically that this form, especially from the Pokoku Valley have the highest concentration of azadiracthin. I actually spent some time in Burma on a Neem related project there. As far as your 'naners are concerned, just shower them with lotsa tlc and lots of fert and you are gonna be rewarded with more than you can eat!

chong
10-25-2008, 02:20 PM
Welcome vas108!

It would be nice to let us know where you are located.

Thanks.

Chong

saltydad
10-25-2008, 05:01 PM
Welcome! Show us some pics of your nana babes.

mike
10-25-2008, 05:43 PM
Welcome vas108

Richard
10-25-2008, 09:46 PM
... I am in the process of doing some gardening and am looking for a neem leaf tree ...

I can buy bags of Neem tree seed for planting, but unfortunately there is a 5-pallet minimum from the supplier in India. :(
As an alternative, check for U.S. suppliers in the Austin TX area.

vars108
10-26-2008, 11:16 AM
Thanks everyone!

I would love to hear what are your particular favorites as far as banana fertilizers. What do the little naners like to munch on? I always favor natural fertilizers. Right now I have a compost pile, a big bag of mushroom compost, some manure and a few minerals, epsom, manganese, ironite, worm castings (love to feed this to my plants). Any suggestions?
Thanxs again for the warm welcome.
Vars

Richard
10-26-2008, 10:58 PM
Thanks everyone!

I would love to hear what are your particular favorites as far as banana fertilizers.
Vars

To produce a commercial-size bunch of bananas, the plant needs NET 1 pound of Nitrogen and 1.5 pounds of Potash, and a trace amount of Phosphorus in the 1-year period leading up to fruiting. A good gauge is to feed them 1/2 that amount until they are 3-4 foot in height, and then commence with monthly feedings at full dosage thereafter. The phosphorus is best put in the ground prior to planting as this mineral is not very "mobile" in soils and hence almost impossible to get to deep roots after planting. Bananas also need micronutrients, which should be a balanced formula containing calcium and magnesium. Adding odd-ball amounts from different sources is problematic because too much of one micronutrient can inhibit the uptake of another. It's a complex relationship, but if someone wants to read it I'll post it online.

Now, to obtain the Nitrogen and Potash you have many choices. First, you just might have good sources already in your environment or in your soil -- at least until the current plants use it up. A soil and water test can determine just how much is present.

The least expensive way to obtain natural sources of Nitrogen and Potash is to purchase a water-soluble powder from either the Grow More or Scotts (aka Champion) factory. These products are NATURAL minerals mined out of the ground and then mechanically sorted for purity and concentration. For micronutrients, the manufacturer adds dried kelp extract with known concentrations of minerals. The standard formula for bananas to look for is 20-5-30. Since this is 20% nitrogen by weight, you will need (1 pound Nitrogen divided by 20%) = 5 lbs per plant per year. You can find this at an agricultural supplier in your area (not a big box store) or from my website below. The cost will be from $1 to $2 per pound, unless you purchase pallets at a time. This works out to be about 5 to 10 cents per banana harvested.

Further, notice how expensive nitrogen is when you use fertilizers derived from plants. If you want, suppliers including myself would be happy to sell you Alfalfa Meal (2-0-3) or a Neem Meal based formula for fruits (4-2-6). The cost again is about $1 to $2 per pound, but you will need (1 pound Nitrogen divided by 4%) = 25 lbs per plant per year to produce a commercial size crop.

Richard
11-12-2008, 01:59 AM
O.K., here's some general warnings about micronutrient sources:
Micronutrients (http://plantsthatproduce.com/guides/Micronutrients.pdf).