View Full Version : Dwarf Cavendish coming to SoCal
Moonshiner
03-07-2009, 02:17 PM
Hello all! Found myself in a new situation, luckily was referred to this amazing forum.
I just received a message from Spring Hill Nursery that a friend of mine (who loves to send cool stuff) is sending me a gift. I am receiving later this month a Musa 'Dwarf Cavendish', and it will be my first banana plant. I have much experience with cacti, succulents and other flora, just never a banana. I am in sunny southern California near Laguna Beach, and the plant will have to be grown in a container. It is being shipped in a 4" pot.
I have done some reading and have found that it is a heavy feeder, likes to stay moist but not wet, and may require special soil. Other than that, it looks like a new experiment for me. My questions to you all:
What is the best fertilizer & soil to use?
Will it do well in a spot that is mostly sunny but partial shade in the late afternoon? (aka succulent heaven)
Plastic or ceramic? I have a 10" ceramic that may do nicely, but with or without saucer?
Mulch or bare soil?
Any other advice will truly be welcomed.
Many thanks!
Welcome Moonshiner, (samples can be sent care of Bob at............). I'm sure some of the growers in your area wil help but , give it the biggest pot you can handle, the bigger the better. Make sure to provide well drained soil that you can water and adequately fertilize. Ask questions here as you need to. Good luck with your plant.
Moonshiner
03-07-2009, 04:04 PM
Thanks, Bob. I can use all the help I can get before the plant arrives.
btw, ever heard of Railroad Earth?
buzzwinder
03-07-2009, 06:05 PM
WELCOME TO THE Org. Moonshiner, after you get your Dwarf Cav psot a couple pics. There are a ton of helpful people here on the Org. and several of them from your area. By the way I like your avatar, Bill The Cat isn't it? :bananas_b
Moonshiner
03-07-2009, 07:26 PM
Yep, that's Bill!
After doing some reading I went out today and bought a 22" x 18" (approx. 40 gallons) plastic terra cotta colored pot. I'm hoping that will do the trick. Now all I need are soil and fertilizer recommendations. If you can get those nice plants growing in Illinois, I'm sure I won't have too much trouble here in SoCal.
Thanks for all the kind welcomes!
For Bob...if you can figure out a way to send a sample by email let me know. We can make millions! Tried it by fax machine once. The blue sparks were awesome.
:D
Richard
03-07-2009, 09:50 PM
Hi there and welcome to the org!
A 22 x 18" pot is typically 25 gallons, a good size for dwarf Cavendish. For soil I recommend Kellogg Garden Patio Mix available at Home Depot etc., or Sunshine Professional Mix #2 which you can obtain at an agricultural supply store. For fertilizer I recommend 20-5-30 water soluble, which you can buy directly from Grow More in Gardena or at my web site below.
:woohoonaner:
Tog Tan
03-08-2009, 12:46 AM
Hi Moonshiner Mike, and welcome to the .org! :02: Your DC would be a great starter of a 'naner for you. It's a wonderful non demanding and vigorous grower over here. In fact, it is so vigorous that it out grew its popularity until it is hardly found here! I love the fruiting time, lotsa of them. All the best! :ha:
Thanks, Bob. I can use all the help I can get before the plant arrives.
btw, ever heard of Railroad Earth?
There's a band , is that it?
Moonshiner
03-08-2009, 02:00 PM
Sorry, I know this is off topic....but.....
That would be them!
:nanadrink: Railroad Earth (http://www.railroadearth.com)
An amazing group of musicians that are based in Stillwater, right near you. They have a huge fan base, many of them in right there in the Tri-City area. The fans are almost as much fun as the band!
Check 'em out some time if you like bluegrass inspired acoustic music.
missg
03-08-2009, 05:58 PM
Moonshiner, welcome to Banana.org
Sorry, I know this is off topic....but.....
That would be them!
:nanadrink: Railroad Earth (http://www.railroadearth.com)
An amazing group of musicians that are based in Stillwater, right near you. They have a huge fan base, many of them in right there in the Tri-City area. The fans are almost as much fun as the band!
Check 'em out some time if you like bluegrass inspired acoustic music.
Thanks, I don't really know them but will check them out.(Stillwater's not that far)...........Bob
Caloosamusa
03-08-2009, 06:07 PM
:2200:Welcome to the organization Moonshiner.
Soils for musa: high organics, slightly acid, moist but drained, which is problematic in SoCal soils. Mulch, mulch, mulch!!!!
There are some musa varieties from Africa that are specifically used to make "beverages.":2239:
Best wishes!!!
Moonshiner
03-12-2009, 12:29 PM
Thanks to everyone for all the great advice!
chong
03-12-2009, 07:55 PM
:2200:Welcome to the organization Moonshiner.
................................... Mulch, mulch, mulch!!!!
There are some musa varieties from Africa that are specifically used to make "beverages.":2239:
Best wishes!!!
Wish you all could taste the banana wines (and citrus, also) that Joe Real makes at his home. They are great! Connoisseur level!
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