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View Full Version : What soil do bananas prefer when planted in ground?


summerandjosh
05-04-2009, 12:07 AM
Sorry if this is in the wrong place, I'm new :woohoonaner:
I have 4 ensete maurellis, 1 musa basjoo, 1 dwarf cavendish, and 1 zebrina. I have them in pots right now but am wanting to plant them in ground as I hear they will grow three times as fast/big. I read a couple of different suggestions....one was to use as much compost as you could, that they enjoy being planted in 100% compost, another suggestion was to use 1/3 perlite, 1/3 compost, and 1/3 topsoil. Can someone please give me some advice on what to use/how to make these guys grow! I live in West Texas zone 7b, it stays pretty warm and bright here, 97* and above all week, and probably for the rest of the summer.... I hope these guys can handle the sunshine and grow like crazy for me!
Thanks for any advice anyone gives :03:
Summer

Gecko
05-04-2009, 02:36 AM
From I have read, well draining soil.
In the Rio Grande Valley it seems that we are on clay and sand. The fields around here are irrigated but in my tests of the soil where I am planting I found the soil to be slow draining.

I am using 60% compost, 20% ground soil, and about 20% peat moss. (helps hold a bit of moisture with the hot south winds) In elevated beds with a earth berm around them.

So far I have 4 rescued Orinocos in the ground, the rest are in pots getting used to the heat and sun.

All the Orinocos have now put out a new leaf :woohoonaner:

And seem to do 1-3 inches in a day (I may be over estimating).

So well composted, well draining, lots of light, and watering when the soil is damp 3 inches below the surface.

Of course I am NEW to all this and your mileage may very.

Gecko