Log in

View Full Version : Need a large pot ASAP


Patty in Wisc
04-28-2009, 04:59 PM
I tried emailing Miller Makenzie for their 65 gal Jackpots & no response. My IC in a 30 gal is putting out funny leaves from being rootbound. It is just too cold still to put inground so It'll be 2-3 weeks yet. Anyone know who else sells jackpots?
We went to all nurseries & no one has any...except one 40 -45 gal at $300.00. Thanks

JoeReal
04-28-2009, 05:17 PM
Harvey has a few 55-gallon plastic drums that can be converted into a pot. I can give you one of my old 55-gallon wine barrel if you can pick it up from my place. The shipping's gonna be an arm and a leg though, especially for the wine barrel.

Anyway, you can try asking for the 55-gallon plastic drums from farmers who order pesticides or fertilizers packaged in such drums, and often they gave it away for free. It should tide you over.

Patty in Wisc
04-28-2009, 05:38 PM
Thanks Joe, you know, Mike mentioned having a 55 gal drum. It looked about as wide as what its in now -24" wide. I just thought it would be too small but maybe not. There is a 65 gal jackpot 36 inches wide ($20.00)which is what I wanted. I will check out the one Mike's got. I can always comb the roots down I s'pose. They are circeling around the pot big time which is why I thought something wider. It's going to flower soon so I want roots to grow out & big leaves for a bigger bunch. The last 2 leaves are stunted.
I wonder why Miller Makenzie won't reply?
Ok Joe, I'll bring a bottle of my elderberry wine & a couple of coons to bar-b-q :):)

Lagniappe
04-28-2009, 06:39 PM
I've pondered making a pot out of wood. I mean, with all the weight of the soil, what difference will a few extra pounds of wood make? The thing is, you could put castors on it and add some to the side so that you could lay it over to go through doors. You may want to nail some wood across the top when doing this to keep all the soil in. Just an idea.

Patty in Wisc
04-28-2009, 08:35 PM
I made a big tufa trough few years ago. It's on wheels but too big to come in house. Make one outa wood - good idea but will prolly rot out in few years & then where to store?
We measured those drums & they are 23 - 24 inches across & about 4 ft high. Pot it's in is 24" across.
... 65 gal jackpot is 33" diam & 18" high for $19.95
...and it folds up (I guess) so cheaper to ship.

If M.M. doesn't reply soon, I'll just repot it in same plastic pot. The soil compacted down about 3 inches from the weight of plant. I'll tip it over & pull it out, then add more soil to bottom. I'll "comb" the roots so they go down instead of sideways & we'll have to lift it back into pot. That sucker's gonna be heavy! But, it'll be worth it as it looks more like 4 more weeks being in pot.
If anyone can get ahold of M.M. it would be much appreciated. Thanks

Lagniappe
04-28-2009, 08:41 PM
Are these any good?
45-200 Gallon Size Containers for Container Growing and Hydroponic Gardening (http://www.smartpots.com/products-3)

Patty in Wisc
04-28-2009, 08:58 PM
Wow Pete THANKS! Sounds just like jackpots - made of heavy cloth. And they have same size that I need. Wish they'd show a pic of one.
$3.00 more but that's nothing. I'll order 2 now
WOOHOO THANKS! :)

Taylor
04-28-2009, 10:55 PM
Don't forget to check your local craigslist. Ours is always having drums and large pots for sale or free.

Patty in Wisc
04-28-2009, 11:40 PM
Thanks Taylor, I forgot about that. I'm afraid to go there now cuz I just ordered 2 65 gal 'smartpots' for $53.90 incl. $8.00 shipping (a site Pete sent) and I don't want to find them cheaper LOL. Pete also sent me the origanl Jackpot maker site & it looks like they only sell wholesale. I'm surprised M.M. wouldn't email back after more than few days. I couldn't wait.
I gotta check out Craigs list more.

Taylor
04-28-2009, 11:50 PM
For anyone else who is interested, this is what they look like:
https://www.greenhousecatalog.com/images/smart-pots.JPG
http://www.heirloomtomatoplants.com/Smart%20Pot%20with%20seedling.jpg

I didn't know they were fabric.
Pictures from Google image search.

Patty in Wisc
04-29-2009, 12:20 AM
They sure look sturdy for being made of fabric! Thanks for posting those - pics I saw wern't very good. What size are they? I'm guessing 45 gal? You musta just got those- looking brand new.
Can I ask if you remember how long it took for delivery? Ooh, I can't wait.

Taylor
04-29-2009, 12:40 AM
They're Google pictures! Sorry!

Keep us updated on yours when you get them.

harveyc
04-29-2009, 01:02 AM
Patty, if there's a next time I think that the 50 gallon plastic barrels are wider than 24", maybe about 30". The 30 gallon barrels are probably about 24", I'd guess. I could be wrong, been know to happen a time or two.... ;)

I've bought ued 50 gallon barrels for $10 before but now get them from a dairy supply business near where I rent a chestnut orchard for free. I believe they sell iodine and other supplies in them and just want to get rid of them and place them out by the street, 4 or more at a time, for the taking. I hear there are some dairies there in WI, though we've got you beat! :P

Let us know how they work for you.

Harvey

paula
04-29-2009, 06:13 AM
Looks like sturdy landscaping material.
So I thinking you can make your own if you are
handy with a sewing machine. I know that
the fabric I used in my yard under some stone
can't be torn at all . You have to get sharp
scissors to cut it. It is just a thought.

Ueberwinden
04-29-2009, 07:30 AM
Before you plant anything in a 55 gal drum be sure you know what was in that drum.

Michael

bananatech
04-29-2009, 07:43 AM
Patty,

If you have a local Tractor Supply Company, you may be able to use one of these feed troughs. I've often thought they would work well for bananas, since the roots spread more than they go deep. It's an oval container made out of very thick/rubbery plastic. I have a 46 gal continer that is more deep than wide that I currently have a fig tree in.

Here is a link:
Tractor Supply Company - Stock Tank 110 ga (http://www.tractorsupply.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay_10551_10001_28494_-1______14602%7C14604%7C28494?listingPage=true&Special=false)

Patty in Wisc
04-29-2009, 01:44 PM
Thanks all. I think the 110 gal would work but too big. We have plastic 55 gal drums incl. my 55 gal rain barrel & they are only about 24" daimeter. Need wider.
I'm in a dilemma:( I emailed Jackpot ppl last night telling them situation, but saw they have a minimum order. I ordered 2 Smartpots & got a confirmation email right away. At 6 am Jack from Jackpots emailed me & asked for my phone # so to call me, so I can pay for 2 jackpots & he will ship them asap. WHAT A GUY!
I can't cancel the smartpot order -- they sent a email this a.m. saying they will ship today. WOW, what service!!
I will email Jackpot & explain but I'd like to know how much they sell for. What the diff is in product & price, I don't know, but I will blame it on Mike. I'll say HE ordered the smartpots late last night & forgot to tell me.
I gotta thank Jack for such a quick response.
Paula, I was thinking same thing...heavy duty weed barrier stuff, but in Taylor's pic it looks heavier.
I'll let y'all know. S'posed to be here Mon or Tues.
Thanks!:)

just j
04-29-2009, 03:57 PM
hey patty why dont you just plant it in the ground last weekeend i put all my orinocos, raja puri, ice creams, kandarians, dwarf reds, dwarf cavendish, cannas, basjoos, birds of paradise, and elephent ears, ensetes, and musella lasicarpas in ground all of them are doing great the only one that has a little black on the leaves is the dwarf cavendish it got to 40 degrees the other night and the newest leaf got a little black on it on the edges the rest were fine the ensete got a little sun burn but that will grow out soon most of them are putting out there second leave already i think it is warm enough hope we dont get any more cold nights i got a few tomatoes out there to if they can handle it bananas can for sure

Patty in Wisc
04-29-2009, 05:37 PM
J, last weekend it poured over 3 inches. I don't know how you ccould put those plants inground--we had flooding. I read 2 weeks ago you said you had plants out & you are further north than me. We are still getting frost on occasion. The plant is at Mike's house - between Jackson & Slinger so he'll get frost before me. The lake will keep my yard warmer. Last year I planted it out 2nd week in May (by him) & we all had frost -upper 20's on May 28th!! I wrapped it in old blankets & saved the p stem but all leaves died. I don't want to lose any of the 13 leaves it has to frost. It's my baby & will flower soon!!:) I 'member sometime in 90's we had snow here on May 10.
I am just now starting to put plants out to adapt. No one has started their gardens yet.
It is just too risky, plus we are due for some severe weather soon.
And, with all the rain we just had, it is too muddy to dig. Even Farmers haven't done anything. Calling for more rain too.
We decided to either plant it inground late May or let it grow on deck in the big pot.

just j
04-29-2009, 06:28 PM
we hardly got any rain last week not to may of mine had leaves they were in my basement only the dc and i dont really care about that one i didnt put any of the nice ones out yet like my krus, praying hands tia black red iholen and heliconias those are my babies if i see snow im gonna back my truck up and start pulling on pstems lol the orinocos i trust they can handel anything from what i seen

Patty in Wisc
05-05-2009, 11:15 PM
Good news/bad news (pics below).
Good - I got the smart pots on Friday. Thanked them for shipping so fast!!!
They came folded up in a small box.
Sunday, set one up on north side of Mike's house (for shade) on 3/4 inch plywood. Filled bottom of pot about 6-7 inches of soil mix & watered it down.
Moved sofa...tipped nana over on tarp & took it out of 30 gal pot. Shoved dolly under tarp holding rootball - wrapped it & carted it out. Took 3 of us.
Cut pup off & put it in the old 30 gal pot.
Seemed to take forever to fill the damned thing w/ potting mix after the 'boys' lifted & set it in pot.
It was very windy Sunday & it wanted to tip over. I put 4 sticks of 8ft bamboo inside edge of pot & tied around it at top of stem. Then we tied rope to that to inside the garage to help support it.
The afternoon sun snuck up on it so I put a sheet over it but the wind kept blowing it off.
Here's a pic right after I "rigged" her up Sun. w/ pup in old 30 gal pot.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y202/Patty_in_Wisc/nanaRepotted.jpg
another:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y202/Patty_in_Wisc/nanaRepotted2.jpg

starting to droop:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y202/Patty_in_Wisc/nanaRepotted3.jpg

Taken noon today (Tues). Thank God it is overcast, but talk about DROOPY:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y202/Patty_in_Wisc/nanaRepotted4.jpg
Poor thing is suffering major transplant shock! The leaves are not burnt (white spots) but only 3 of 12 are not folded w/ a crease.
That's the BAD news.
It is embarrassing to have this in front where all can see it LOL.
I unplugged the garage door opener so it can't close on the rope & take the plant down.
We are going to put a few 9-10 ft support sticks in pot to hold lite blankets over it when frost comes & the pup can go inside garage, & hopefully mamma will be stable enough to untie the ropes so we can close the garage door.
This is the hardest time of year for my plants. Take them out to 'acclimate' them & be ready to rush them inside case of frost. This one we can't just put it back inside! That 65 gal pot will be just too heavy to move back in & out again.
I'm just happy for clouds & rain next couple days VS wind & hot sun.
Finger crossed....wish me luck!
As for the fabric pot....when I watered, it not only came out the bottom but all around the sides of pot. They said to use a soil mix that is heavier, like a clay soil, to hold more water. The fabric will not hold as much moisture in as the plastic will. They said it is self pruning & will never get rootbound, as when the roots grow out, they will die off trying to grow out of sides.
I will say that once you plant in these, don't plan on moving them! Unless you put the pot on plywood & move it on there.
I'll take pics in a week or 2.

Patty in Wisc
05-05-2009, 11:52 PM
Here's a pic of the other pot set up on back deck facing south. This one looks better as I wasn't rushed to fill it. The sides are more strait. As you fill the pot, you gotta pull up the sides from the bottom seem. This is made out of something similar to the weed barrier fabric but thicker - more like industrial strength.
I plan on 1 tomato, chives, basil, oregano, & whatever I think of to plant there since it is right outside the kitchen area. It is there now & if I wish to move it --- TOO BAD. Geeze, it took a lot of soil to fill it to that point! 65 gal is a lot!
So...if I don't want to look at nanna in front, I can always come out to back deck & look at plants there LOL
BTW, That is a creek just beyond the grass line.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y202/Patty_in_Wisc/FabricPot.jpg

harveyc
05-05-2009, 11:58 PM
Sorry to see the folded leaves, Patty. :(

Was it very root-bound when you removed it from the pot? Big plants I've dealt with didn't have much soil to hold onto water because of being so root-bound so they required lots of frequent watering. When my big Ae Ae would have leaves fold I found that soaking it helped a lot. Just make sure the roots are getting a lot of water but focusing your watering into the center of the pot since it will be a while before the roots expand out into the new soil.

Good luck!

Harvey

Patty in Wisc
05-06-2009, 12:21 AM
Thank you, thank you Harvey. Makes me feel better.
It had roots growing around the sides but not too bad. Still had soil to grow on .. I've seen much worse. Too busy to think of taking a pic then.
It is transplant shock big time. Sunday was a bad day I guess but we had to get it out & who knows what the weather is gonna be?
I made a point to make water go into center of plant -- you are thinking same.
I think it will come back but this sure slowed it down. It may take a couple weeks to get a new leaf. I have faith.

harveyc
05-06-2009, 01:08 AM
I wonder if something like "cloudcover" spray would help reduce water loss from leaves and be helpful at this point. Just thinking out loud....

Good luck!

Bob
05-06-2009, 08:31 AM
We're rooting for ya Patty! I bet the big guy bounces back. I think you get the idea that it will take a few weeks to recover so all you can do is remain calm and not be tempted to over water or fertilize too soon. I know I would. Keep us posted.

Tog Tan
05-06-2009, 09:04 AM
Thank you, thank you Harvey. Makes me feel better.
It had roots growing around the sides but not too bad. Still had soil to grow on .. I've seen much worse. Too busy to think of taking a pic then.
It is transplant shock big time. Sunday was a bad day I guess but we had to get it out & who knows what the weather is gonna be?
I made a point to make water go into center of plant -- you are thinking same.
I think it will come back but this sure slowed it down. It may take a couple weeks to get a new leaf. I have faith.

Oi, take it easy Patty! I hate to hear of the death of 'naner plant owner thru stress of a stressed 'naner plant..... :ha::ha::ha:

Patty in Wisc
05-09-2009, 09:15 PM
Today the newest & last leaf stem creased & folded over. It looks terrible. I cut off 3 or 4 lower leaves that turned brown. My question now is -- should I cut all the leaves off? I always heard to leave them on unless they turn brown. It is just TOO heavy to cart into garage, even on the dolly.
Because of the 40 ish temps at night, did it go dormant? If it did, should I cut the leaves off as I would do to force dormancy in fall?
Would that give more energy to the plant?
All I can do is put longer sticks inside pot to hold up a banket over it if frost comes.
I also decided to NOT put it in ground. The pot is big enough for the roots for now. I think we will just move it to where it was last summer & set it on the ground there (with skid loader). It went thru enough transplant shock for now.
Any advice about the leaves would be great.
I covered the soil w/ tarp so rain last night wouldn't go in. It has enough water in it.
Thanks much.

harveyc
05-09-2009, 09:19 PM
Patty, I wouldn't cut off the leaves. I have tied up folded eaves by using some tie tape just to help out temporarily until more leaves came along, though that was in my greenhouse without wind. I don't think your plant would be dormant. Mine was growing with temps colder than that, though slowly. I don't know what's going on.

Taylor
05-09-2009, 09:52 PM
I say cut off enough stem to move it into your garage ASAP. You're going to have 41ºF tomorrow night and that is absolutely low enough for it to do dormant or almost dormant.

Put it in the garage! Amount of trunk doesn't matter as much as keeping it growing!

Patty in Wisc
05-09-2009, 10:34 PM
Thanks Taylor, but you are scaring me LOL.
I'm afraid to cut it cuz there might be a flower or a flag leaf nearby & I don't want to cut into that.
2) It is just too big (33" wide) & heavy to move it on dolly. The pot must weigh 300 or more lbs ( now that it rained the other night) & plant itself is about 150 lbs. I untied & took the dolly off.
Geeze, I just checked my forecast & it is low to mid 40's at nite all week! And, 50's to 60's highs.
I think I'm going to be sick...barf. All I can do is maybe prop up that last leaf (per Harvey, & to let new leaf come thru easier) & cover it every night to keep it warmer.
I'm soooo mad... maybe I shoulda left it in the house for one more week. But, it woulda been stressed from that!
I think you should all come over (yeah you Tog, Beth & Cassie too) & we can all shake up some beer to spray on it... ahhh, medicine. I'll grill some Wisconsin brats &/or have a fish boil (originated here in Door County). Justj will help me...& don't forget to bring a jacket! Bon fire later.
oops, I'm railroading my own thread
More help please.

harveyc
05-09-2009, 11:53 PM
In my opinion, there is not much chance an Ice Cream will go dormant with lows of 41 and highs of 50-60. It was cooler than that back in March when my in-ground Ice Cream started pushing out its first new leaf of the year.

Dalmatiansoap
05-10-2009, 02:46 AM
[QUOTE=Patty in Wisc;74757
I think you should all come over (yeah you Tog, Beth & Cassie too) & we can all shake up some beer to spray on it... ahhh, medicine. I'll grill some Wisconsin brats &/or have a fish boil (originated here in Door County). Justj will help me...& don't forget to bring a jacket! Bon fire later.
oops, I'm railroading my own thread
More help please.[/QUOTE]

Oh, Im so sad that I m not invited here. And I just baked nice Potica for visit.
Nevermind
:woohoonaner:

Patty in Wisc
05-10-2009, 01:33 PM
Ante, of course you are welcome!!:) :) And, I'll make the potitza (sp) LOL.
BTW, my grandparents grew up about 230 miles away from you in Ljubljana, Slovenia (just found out name).
All I can do is keep mamma IC warm & dry & hope for a new leaf.

ArchAngeL01
05-13-2009, 10:38 PM
wow! your motivated to get naners!! good to hear!!! i wish i had an icecream -i use to but it died:(

alpha010
05-14-2009, 04:07 PM
I got an Idea for you Patty, since you are good with your hands....Build a base to go around your big IC. like a raised bed box only make it in 2 halves and have locking clips on the side so you can easily remove and store it. Make it 6 inches taller and about 6 inches wider and fill in with mulch or compost to help keep it warm and look even more presentable! Or as presentable as it can till it fills back out.

Shaggy

Patty in Wisc
05-14-2009, 09:35 PM
Sounds like more work LOL

ArchAngeL01
05-15-2009, 03:37 AM
you could bye a big whiskey barrel? big enough?

NotherNana
05-15-2009, 06:28 AM
I am no expert with bananas, as the people here are. But I am very good with plants in general. When I have a plant that does this, I use a clay pot to place it in. Size of clay pot determined by the plant of course. Then I dig a hole in the earth where the plant will be happiest, and to the size of the pot. Sinking it into the ground, (The plant inside clay pot) and filling in around, so the plant 'thinks' it is in mother earth, if I may be poetic about this; seems to make my plants happier. You are in colder climate than the plant likes, so I understand reason for potting. But this really does help my plants that are even more tropical than my own zone to perk up and thrive.

In fall, it may be a challenge to remove the pot, but I do it when necessary. And at this time of year, perfect to attempt this. I also always use the plant hormone 'superthrive' when transplanting any plant, and when making cuttings or seedlings. That stuff is truly awesome!

No matter what you end up doing, I just thought I'd let you know what works for me, and I wish you the best of luck with the banana. :)
Gino
PS. I saw the home addittion you added in another post. Really great work! :)

alpha010
05-15-2009, 01:24 PM
Good thoughts Gino, should work on most plants, but, when moving a 300# monster in and out of a hole might prove difficult as you said. In fact, I may just go get a clay pot for my Dwarf Cav and do like you said this weekend.

Shaggy

Patty in Wisc
05-15-2009, 01:38 PM
Thanks AA & Gino, but my problem is not getting a bigger pot anymore.
It was inground last summer, then dug up & potted to inside. It grew like crazy all winter & I knew it was rootbound. Cannot just plant inground without acclimating it so I found a 65 gal pot (made of fabric) & that's where it is on north side of house. It is suffering transplant shock big time.
Whiskey barrel would be too small. This new pot is 33 inches across (see pics above), so it is big enough now. It's just a matter of hoping it will survive from the shock. Fingers crossed!:)

Tog Tan
05-15-2009, 02:07 PM
Patty, if you want to give it some strength in recovering, use a mild solution of Alaska fish emulsion and foliar feed it on the leaves and the trunk. From my experience, a plant in such a condition will take 4 - 8 wks to recover. DON"T WORRY......:ha:
As the new leaf comes up, continue the foliar feed. As it gets better, increase the strength of the solution. This way, you allow the roots to come on without getting burnt by any fert which most people apply to the soil.

For my smaller plants, I use a clear plastic bag to cover it completely to retain the humidity and it helps the plant to recover faster. To make you feel better, just last week I screwed up a pretty rare Callimusa and I used this method, and it has stabilized.I caught it fast enough so I was able to arrest it. I think it's the only plant in cultivation anywhere. I felt bad cos of my negligence but I was lucky to spot it as the leaves started a slight droop. The first time this happened to me was my 2ft p-stem Helen's Hybrid. I thought the droop was from the heat wave as it comes from a cooler country. I let it be for 2 weeks until it looked real bad. At that same time, stupid me was over confident and added a strong fert after repotting. I had to take it out and change all the soil and then repot. It took 2 bloody mths for it to come around. Your plant is big and have been vigorous in growth so it should make it.

NotherNana
05-15-2009, 02:19 PM
I agree. I have great luck with organics like the fish emulsion. And foliar feed, as Tog has mentioned. I do it with tomato transplants every time, exactly as he has described, with excellent results. No shock. It stinks, (whew!!!) but works :)
Also, the Superthrive. It allows the plant to not have to seek out it's own hormones needs from roots in new soil, it directly allows the plant to uptake them. You can even apply it to the undersides of the leaves, or roots if plant was exposed at that time. Anyway, I lose a good 70% less plants when using the Superthrive. It's really worth a shot. I can't find it at Home depot, but Lowes always seems to carry it, especially at this time of year.
And to Alpha, Yes, that's a challenge, a pot that large. Great to have a backhoe when talking 300 gallons :)
Gino

Patty in Wisc
05-15-2009, 03:21 PM
Thanks Tog, you are always so encouraging!
I think it will be OK too...just a matter of time. I will cut some lower leaves off that are yellowing. All the leaf stems are completely folded but upper ones are still green so I won't cut them.
Now, if we can just have some sunshine & warm temps.
(ppl still slowing down driving by...wondering what this big glob is doing in driveway LOL. JUST WAIT!)

I heard bad things about superthrive...mainly that it is over rated. I will use Joe Real's AZ41 & maybe some Messenger spray. I don't know where to get fish emulsion here.

humidity here has been 80 - 100%.

buzzwinder
05-15-2009, 03:43 PM
Patty, check your local Wallyworld,they have the Alaskan Fish Emulsion in a white bottle for like $3.00, the stuff does stink but the odor goes away, it also works on spider mites, that or they just leave because of the stench :bananas_b

NotherNana
05-15-2009, 04:31 PM
Patty,
I have coaxed up palm seed that was nearly impossible to get up using the superthrive, back in '87 or '88 I think. Also use on flowers to get larger, and more; blooms. I guess it all depends upon the individual :) It really works for me :) Glad you are happy again about the banana though :)
Gino

Patty in Wisc
05-19-2009, 01:07 PM
:woohoonaner: Today there is a new leaf up about 8 inches!!
I cut most leaves off but it still looks pretty sorry. I hope all those ppl who told me it was dead stop & see this new leaf!!
Thanks for all the support - it's on its way to flowering again!

john_ny
05-19-2009, 01:15 PM
Congrats, good job!

Tog Tan
05-19-2009, 01:26 PM
Congrats Patty! I told ya not to give up....relax...:ha:

Patty in Wisc
05-19-2009, 01:45 PM
Yup, you sure did Tog - and I listened:)
Just yesterday a neighbor drove by & asked if I'm just going to leave it 'that way' - as in 'dead'. I told her it isn't dead - it's just the leaves, & she said 'yeah, right'. I told her to watch for a new leaf on top & VOILA.

buzzwinder
05-19-2009, 01:59 PM
Congrats Patty, now that we have some warmer weather it should start to take off like a rocket, then just enjoy the look on the faces of the naysayers. :bananas_b

ArchAngeL01
05-19-2009, 02:34 PM
How can they say it's dead when they probrobly have no idea about bananas in the first place!!! you will show them!!! i think you did the right thing by cutting the leaves off ,but you will have to wait longer on fruit maybe ,you know whats funny?! i had a large 15 foot palmetto hauled up to my house in zone 6b-7a-ish and everyone called me crazzy and said it wood be dead by first frost ..................i showed them!! its huge now and does just fine :) keep the faith!!:D

LilRaverBoi
05-19-2009, 02:57 PM
Yup, you sure did Tog - and I listened:)
Just yesterday a neighbor drove by & asked if I'm just going to leave it 'that way' - as in 'dead'. I told her it isn't dead - it's just the leaves, & she said 'yeah, right'. I told her to watch for a new leaf on top & VOILA.
Oh yeah, you'll show her! I'm sure most 'non-banana' people are of the thinking that if the leaves look wilted, it's dead. Little do they know bananas are the bad-asses of the plant world! They will come back from most anything! That's actually how I got my first bananas. The roots/corm from a plant that was deemed 'dead' at a local greenhouse was thrown into a compost pile where I worked at the time. And it grew up into about 7 plants. Dead?? YEAH RIGHT!

I'm sure you're super bummed to see your beautiful IC a little 'under the weather' (I guess literally and figuratively :ha:), but don't worry...it will come out of it and be just fine! Be sure to give that neighbor some bananas in a few months!!

buzzwinder
05-19-2009, 03:19 PM
Little do they know bananas are the bad-asses of the plant world!


I like the way you put that Bryan, Thanks :bananas_b

ewitte
05-24-2009, 08:48 PM
Hopefully these are big enough smart pots for full size because its what I just ordered :)

Raja Puri - 45gal
Ice Cream - 65gal

The raja puri has been in a 25gal container but hasn't been growing as well as I had thought. It was also planted before I started getting the right soil for these types of plants. Ice cream is staying it its 7gal container until its a little bigger. I just got it and its not very tall yet.

Patty in Wisc
05-24-2009, 09:18 PM
Ewitte, don't forget that wherever you set up the pots, you won't be able to move them once full of soil. The 45 gal one you might put on a piece of plywood so you can drag it or move it w/ a dolly.
It seemed to take forever to fill the 65 gal one LOL.

ewitte
05-25-2009, 07:21 AM
I remember it being a PITA to pickup the 25 gal ones lol. They originally had handles but those broke off ;) What I did was just slide them after that. Pick up one side over the kitchen entrance and continue sliding. Eventually they were just left outside the rest of the winter.

Patty in Wisc
05-26-2009, 03:07 PM
Ewitte, you can't drag these. They are made of fabric & too floppy (impossible) to pick up unless you have it on plywood w/ maybe 4 casters screwed on bottom to slide around.
Here are pics of moving it yesterday. It was very windy. Here I am in the skidster LOL
Mike took the bucket off & put 2 forks on.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y202/Patty_in_Wisc/movingNana.jpg

When planted, we leveled the board with rocks which makes it easier to slide forks under.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y202/Patty_in_Wisc/movingNana2.jpg

OK OK, who's the bimbo in the skidster? :)
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y202/Patty_in_Wisc/movingNana1.jpg

Backing out of driveway slowly & then sharp left to spot at right of red arrow.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y202/Patty_in_Wisc/movingNana3.jpg

Almost to summer spot with all ONE of its leaves blowing in the wind - still unfurling!!
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y202/Patty_in_Wisc/movingNana4.jpg
Going to keep the bamboo supports in pot since it's been so windy.

What it looked like inside in March:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y202/Patty_in_Wisc/nana22-23.jpg
Oh well....It'll get there.

Bob
05-26-2009, 03:18 PM
Patty you showoff !!!! :rollerbananadone:Would you mind bringing a backhoe over by me and double digging a new bed, I'm out if room and have a few plants left .:ha::ha::ha:

Patty in Wisc
05-26-2009, 03:30 PM
I'll be right there! Got some good vodka left?

Bob
05-26-2009, 03:37 PM
A fresh bottle of crystal skull or whatever you want will be waiting. Just made a Martini( Bombay saphire) which my wife says looks more like a salad(many varieties of stuffed olives). I'll be waiting by the window.:02:

Patty in Wisc
05-26-2009, 03:40 PM
Turn the leg lamp on & stuff some olives w/ blue cheese please.

ewitte
05-26-2009, 04:02 PM
I'm fine with just leaving it where it is and if it really has to go (like when I move) I can dig it up ;)

Lagniappe
05-26-2009, 05:20 PM
Turn the leg lamp on & stuff some olives w/ blue cheese please.

I'm still savin' up so I can buy a "Major reward" like Bob's !

Patty in Wisc
05-26-2009, 08:26 PM
Is the "major reward" Bob's bombay saphire or the leg lamp? LOL(?)
Do you know he has the exact same leg lamp as in the movie 'A Christmas Story'... where Darren McGavin gets one delivered as a awkward gift. Cracked me up!

alpha010
06-09-2009, 06:55 PM
So how's the IC fairing so far? Got any new pics of it? BTW, any "bimbo" that can drive a skidsteer is a welcome "bimbo" anytime!

Patty in Wisc
06-10-2009, 10:24 AM
Thanks Shaggy LOL. IC still looks bad but I just cut all the brown off & it's starting a new leaf. It's just having a hard time taking off cuz of the dang cold temps. Sunny today but only 51*!! Maybe I should sing to it :)

Tog Tan
06-10-2009, 10:41 AM
OK OK, who's the bimbo in the skidster? :)
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y202/Patty_in_Wisc/movingNana1.jpg


Bimbo? Looks more like Sigourney Weaver operating the Power Loader in Aliens2! Wow!
My Gooodnesss..... This is one heck of an operation for the 'naners! My hat off to you Patty! :drum:

Patty in Wisc
06-10-2009, 11:12 AM
:ha::ha::ha:
oops, just dropped my Tog cigar.

ewitte
06-10-2009, 04:24 PM
51! Its like 95 during the day and 75 at night most of the time right now. We get the occasional "cool" spell going into the upper 80's and 60's at night. But then there are warm spells closer to 100.

I really like doing this stuff by hand. I had a heart rate monitor with Calorie meter on a few weekends back and burned about 1100C in less than 2 hours cutting grass and repotting the bananas. My Sunday numbers have been almost 5000C in a day and 4000 on Saturday.

Patty in Wisc
06-10-2009, 04:46 PM
Now, don't overdo things!
This spring is just toooooo cold this year. It's why the plants & nanas aren't taking off. It's normally 70's this time - right now we are up to our high of 58*....whoopy.

harveyc
07-25-2009, 12:36 AM
Okay, Patty, show us an updated photo when you get a chance!

Patty in Wisc
07-25-2009, 12:08 PM
OK Harvey, I'm going to Mike's later today but I'll tell you it doesn't look much different than the pics on last page. I think the Pstem is skinnier from the leaf stems dying off & I had to cut them. The pup has grown real well & it has a new pup that just grew about1 ft in the last week!

Update 4-25-2010
Ewitte, you can't drag these. They are made of fabric & too floppy (impossible) to pick up unless you have it on plywood w/ maybe 4 casters screwed on bottom to slide around.
Here are pics of moving it yesterday. It was very windy. Here I am in the skidster LOL
Mike took the bucket off & put 2 forks on.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y202/Patty_in_Wisc/movingNana.jpg

When planted, we leveled the board with rocks which makes it easier to slide forks under.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y202/Patty_in_Wisc/movingNana2.jpg

OK OK, who's the bimbo in the skidster? :)
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y202/Patty_in_Wisc/movingNana1.jpg


http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y202/Patty_in_Wisc/movingNana3.jpg

Almost to summer spot with all ONE of its leaves blowing in the wind - still unfurling!!
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y202/Patty_in_Wisc/movingNana4.jpg
Going to keep the bamboo supports in pot since it's been so windy.

What it looked like inside in March:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y202/Patty_in_Wisc/nana22-23.jpg
Oh well....It'll get there.

That was last May 5th & it never fully recovered all summer. It's better now & has 7 big leaves ...and...
A FLAG LEAF that opened on Tuesday!!! I have pics in my cam but have to go home to load in my puter to post here.
:woohoonaner::woohoonaner::woohoonaner::woohoonaner:
The leaf before it was smaller than the others - which I heard of. The stem is not as big as last year -from all the leaves dying back to soil. I'll be screaming when a flower peeks out LOL.

harveyc
04-25-2010, 01:40 PM
Congrats, Patty....nice to have a flower coming this early in the year!

LilRaverBoi
04-25-2010, 01:59 PM
That's very exciting, Patty! I've always been delighted to read about your progress growing bananas in such a non-tropical climate. I really feel this success is an inspiration to all of us temperate-living tropical plant growers! Congrats!

sunfish
04-25-2010, 02:13 PM
Looking good

Patty in Wisc
04-25-2010, 03:32 PM
Thanks
Tony, I'm glad you posted your 'short leaf before the flag' thread. I didn't know why a leaf came out smaller -- & then the flag.

Patty in Wisc
04-25-2010, 05:54 PM
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y202/Patty_in_Wisc/100_0402.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y202/Patty_in_Wisc/100_0400.jpg
Looks like a flag to me! I tied string around it cuz it was leaning up there.

sunfish
04-25-2010, 06:50 PM
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y202/Patty_in_Wisc/100_0402.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y202/Patty_in_Wisc/100_0400.jpg
Looks like a flag to me! I tied string around it cuz it was leaning up there.

Your going to need a bigger stake or thicker string to hold up the bunch

buckeye5755
04-25-2010, 07:08 PM
Congrats! What are your plans for trying to mature the fruit? Are you going to take it outside and possibly lose the leaves like what happened before, or are you going to keep it indoors under your watchful eye?

:woohoonaner::nanadrink:

Patty in Wisc
04-25-2010, 08:32 PM
Been thinking about that & decided to keep it in. There is a deck outside that window but it won't fit thru the patio doorway. Pot is too wide. I'll use 2 500w halogens instead of 1.
We have some 2x2's to use as stakes.

Patty in Wisc
04-26-2010, 02:42 PM
Maybe this isn't the flag leaf after all:(. I noticed a curly 'hair' coming out of leaf, so I set a ladder up to look inside ...& it sure looks like another leaf coming!! If that's not the flag leaf, then why is it so small? I'm confused. Does the flower come out of the last leaf?

sunfish
04-26-2010, 03:05 PM
Maybe this isn't the flag leaf after all:(. I noticed a curly 'hair' coming out of leaf, so I set a ladder up to look inside ...& it sure looks like another leaf coming!! If that's not the flag leaf, then why is it so small? I'm confused. Does the flower come out of the last leaf?

You will see a bulge when the flower is coming


http://www.bananas.org/f2/flag-leaf-7549.html#post76222.

Patty in Wisc
04-26-2010, 08:53 PM
Thanks Tony...no bulge up there. Still wondering why the last leaf is so small. :(

sunfish
04-26-2010, 09:04 PM
The next leaf will probably be the flag.

Patty in Wisc
04-26-2010, 09:22 PM
Whooooopeeeee:)

Tony O
05-01-2010, 07:29 PM
May get several more leaves yet. When my DC showed its 1st flag leaf, I was waiting for the flower. There were several more "flags" to follow, each smaller than the last. Finally there was a bulge moving toward the top. Once it pushed out, it started flowering. Wishing you the best of luck with yours.
:nanadrink:

Patty in Wisc
05-02-2010, 08:52 PM
Well, I hope this is the flag...leaf alone is only 10 inches long & still unfurling. Much smaller than the last "flag" LOL. The last flag is about 17-18 inches & fatter. This a skinny one. About 6 inches down from where this leaf came out, the stem is the thickest. So this could be the flag of a flag of a flag LOL.

Abnshrek
05-02-2010, 10:11 PM
Sounds like your making headway.. get them sympathy pains ready.. lol :^)

enigma99a
05-03-2010, 01:51 AM
Well, I hope this is the flag...leaf alone is only 10 inches long & still unfurling. Much smaller than the last "flag" LOL. The last flag is about 17-18 inches & fatter. This a skinny one. About 6 inches down from where this leaf came out, the stem is the thickest. So this could be the flag of a flag of a flag LOL.

Or a flag of a flag of a flag :ha:

Patty in Wisc
05-07-2010, 04:02 PM
Tony O, I'm glad you said you got a few flags cuz Mike climbed the ladder & says there's another coming! The last flag is 11 inches long & about 5 inches wide. This next one will prolly be the world's smallest IC flag LOL - unless it gets a 4th flag.

Patty in Wisc
05-12-2010, 06:21 PM
This 3rd flag looks like a sword pup!! And, it has a bulge now.
Can anyone post what the new secret is to getting the IMG at photobucket? I uploaded 2 pics there of the newest flag. Last time, if I put the curser under the pic, it would show the URL - IMG but there is nothing. How do I get a pic from there on here? Thanks (flower soon:))

Bob
05-12-2010, 06:43 PM
I hit the " share image " button and then click on link code... cut and paste that and it workds like a charm.

LilRaverBoi
05-13-2010, 01:00 AM
This is for another site (http://www.genxglow.com/forum/lilraverbois-helpful-hints-on-gxg-t8834#post115805), but it uses the same software, so it should also work here. Let me know if you cannot view that here.

Bananaman88
05-13-2010, 11:43 AM
I think there is really only one true flag leaf. The others are just the normal process of each leaf getting a bit smaller as the plant gets ready to bloom. The true flag leaf is the last one to emerge just prior to the bud. Sounds like yours is almost there, though! Congrats!

justjoan
05-13-2010, 12:54 PM
Very excited for you Patty, can't wait!!!!!:woohoonaner:

Patty in Wisc
05-17-2010, 01:52 PM
Here it is... just separated from the flag today.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y202/Patty_in_Wisc/100_0465-1.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y202/Patty_in_Wisc/100_0467.jpg

justjoan
05-17-2010, 01:54 PM
:woohoonaner:You rock girl, look at that, you must be so excited:goteam::goteam: Can't wait to see more!!!:02:

Dalmatiansoap
05-17-2010, 02:54 PM
Bravo Patty!
:woohoonaner:
:nanadrink:

harveyc
05-17-2010, 04:01 PM
Congrats, Patty!

I place my bet on 16 fingers! ;)

Abnshrek
05-17-2010, 06:25 PM
Well that's all good & then some :^) Congrat's Patty :^)

Bob
05-17-2010, 07:09 PM
You Stink Patty!!!!:mad: Boy am I jealous!!! ..... and proud as can be for you!!! Well done!:goteam::2750:

Patty in Wisc
05-17-2010, 08:30 PM
You Stink Patty!!!!:mad:
OINK OINK ... happier than a pig in poop! :):)
Looks like Harvey believes me now :) I'll be HAPPY to get 16 fingers .. that flag leaf is only about 3-4 inches long LOL
It's so nice to see this in-person rather than pics.

CoryS
05-19-2010, 01:26 AM
Outstanding work and fabulous plant you've grown. Congratulations!
:woohoonaner:
Thanks much for sharing the photos too. I hope you'll keep us updated on your progress.

sandy0225
05-19-2010, 06:00 AM
How cool! You deserve to be getting a bloom, and at the right time of the year too! Super!!!

Patty in Wisc
05-19-2010, 12:00 PM
Thanks. After all this plant has been thru, it really doesn't matter that this is good time for a flower. It's too fragile & big to take outside so it will stay in & under grow lite... don't want to take chances. Moving it thru a doorway might break the stem... it was tough getting it inside last fall.
Sandy, you gave me some hope when yours bloomed & you are in same zone! :):)

LilRaverBoi
05-19-2010, 08:28 PM
WOOT WOOT! Great job Patty! All your hard work has paid off!

cherokee_greg
05-20-2010, 12:12 PM
OINK OINK ... happier than a pig in poop! :):)
Looks like Harvey believes me now :) I'll be HAPPY to get 16 fingers .. that flag leaf is only about 3-4 inches long LOL
It's so nice to see this in-person rather than pics.

cool deal there Patty good for you :woohoonaner:

Patty what is the history of this plant ? How long have you had it ? How old was it when you received it ? Im curious.
Thanks

Abnshrek
05-20-2010, 12:21 PM
Patty what is the history of this plant ? How long have you had it ? How old was it when you received it ? Im curious.
Thanks

Yeah was it a T/C or did it have Corm power (a pup)? We wanna know.. lol :^) (good questions CG)

cherokee_greg
05-20-2010, 12:37 PM
Yeah was it a T/C or did it have Corm power (a pup)? We wanna know.. lol :^) (good questions CG)

I went back and read some of the posts I beleve its a Ice Cream she has been dealing with this plant for awile. Good for her lots of work.

Patty in Wisc
05-20-2010, 07:51 PM
It's a ice cream I got when it was 2 inch high TC in a 2 inch pot in late May/June of '06. Had it 4 years - this would be its 5th summer. Put it to sleep one winter & this past year, well.... if you read back you'll see what it went thru.
I wonder how big the nanas will be.. it's so funny looking at the little flower. I'll post more pics later but right now it's just coming out a little more from the flag. That flag leaf is only 5 inches long LOL. So cute!

Abnshrek
05-20-2010, 08:01 PM
I wonder how big the nanas will be..?.
That flag leaf is only 5 inches long LOL. So cute!

Patty, thanks for the clarity :^) I'm sure you will have the largest, most scrumptious Banana's in the Territory. :^)

Patty in Wisc
05-20-2010, 08:03 PM
Yeah, Wisconsin grown nanas are rare around here LOL.

CookieCows
05-25-2010, 04:29 PM
ZONE 5 !!! This one really deserves a thread all it's own! I didn't realize this thread had taken a turn!

I'm betting on 20 nanas :drum:

Abnshrek
05-25-2010, 04:38 PM
ZONE 5 !!! This one really deserves a thread all it's own! I didn't realize this thread had taken a turn! I'm betting on 20 nanas :drum:

Is this turning into the guessing game (like how many were on the 1000 finger's). I'm going to have to go with 32.. :^) lol

CookieCows
05-25-2010, 04:44 PM
I think it should be!! We have only guessed on the big producers so far from kinder, warmer zones!

Patty in Wisc
05-26-2010, 12:07 AM
LOL Deb :) Looks like I should have a contest huh? Was thinking of starting a new thread in main forum too. I'll take pics tomorrow -- the flower is starting to turn more burgundy color & turning south LOL.
I won a contest that Momo had last year (how many nanas) & I picked a pup he had choices of & paid postage. I'm hoping I can get postage paid for (I'm sorta unemployed) shipping a pup of Ice Cream or Double Mahoi. I never did a contest here so maybe I can ask Momo & Jarred how to get this going. What do ya think?
So far I have bets on 16, 20 & 32. Oh how fun!!!

OK, how's this. (merged to last post?) How's about I post in the 'Contest' forum to guess the # of nanas for a bet of 200 banana bucks & the winner takes all???!!!
Something different. All the 'losers' will have to donate 200 banana bucks to the winner!!
Just a thought

CookieCows
05-26-2010, 12:20 AM
I say if you can do it .... I placed my bet!

justjoan
05-26-2010, 07:55 AM
Count me in, you are my inspiration!!! I say 24:woohoonaner:

Abnshrek
05-26-2010, 08:24 AM
How's about I post in the 'Contest' forum to guess the # of nanas for a bet of 200 banana bucks & the winner takes all???!!! Something different. All the 'losers' will have to donate 200 banana bucks to the winner!! Just a thought

I'm all for some banana number poker for 200 :^) Oh is it going to be the Frozen Tundra IC Banana Contest? :^)

Dalmatiansoap
05-26-2010, 10:43 AM
OK, how's this. (merged to last post?) How's about I post in the 'Contest' forum to guess the # of nanas for a bet of 200 banana bucks & the winner takes all???!!!
Something different. All the 'losers' will have to donate 200 banana bucks to the winner!!
Just a thought
Haha, Im in!
:ha:
:nanadrink:

harveyc
05-26-2010, 01:28 PM
Okay, you've got me in for 16 from my guess a week ago or so, right?

natej740
05-27-2010, 09:09 PM
Congrats Patty!!! I cant wait till one of my nanas blooms.

Put me down for 25 i wanted 24 but it was taken....

Patty in Wisc
05-27-2010, 09:23 PM
I have you for 16, CookieCows for 20, Abnshrek for32 & justjoan for 24. Waiting for a pm from Jarred.
And, Natej740 for 25.
Since it's the closest # without going over, joan needs exactly 24 fingers. Isn't anyone gonna bet 100???!!! :)
Correction: Nate has to get exactly 25 ... not Joan.

CookieCows
05-28-2010, 08:41 AM
Isn't anyone gonna bet 100???!!! :)

:ha:

LilRaverBoi
05-28-2010, 11:07 AM
Isn't anyone gonna bet 100???!!! :)
LOL...if it were a Thousand Fingers, maybe. I hear they changed the name of that plant to 'Quite A Few Fingers' if its grown in zone 6 or above. :ha:

Sign me up for 30, Patty!

Patty in Wisc
05-28-2010, 01:33 PM
I posted to the 'Contest' forum and waiting for Jarreds approval. I also posted your names & numbers you all picked. For your #'s to count, you have to donate 200 BB's to me for your ante. I forgot to post one rule there...the winner will be closest to but not over the amount of fingers.

justjoan
05-28-2010, 03:15 PM
My ante is in

Patty in Wisc
05-28-2010, 03:33 PM
Got it. :)

Dean W.
05-29-2010, 03:57 PM
Did it make any pups, Patty?:0517::drum:

Patty in Wisc
05-29-2010, 04:08 PM
There's a fairly large one still attached & 2 potted outside. I cut the 2 off last fall to give mamma more energy. She has a twin sister LOL...bought same time/same place. They had 4 other pups that I threw out cuz they didn't store well in garage last winter. Sister is putting out 2 more pups now. Between the 2, I got 9 pups (4 died).