View Full Version : Orinoco Flow...
CValentine
06-09-2009, 03:18 PM
Orinoco Flow... Enya...
YouTube - Orinoco Flow - Enya (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jC5aUDN6OoU)
Into the (Dwarf Orinoco) 'flow' of the bananas we go... :D
I know this is a 'discussion' section, but, I am going to Journal our 'goings on' with our banana endeavors here.
Feel free to stop in, read, comment and/or guide us in the right direction regarding our journey to raising PRODUCTIVE BANANA PLANTS!!!
Week 1:
http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/vv49/valentines12/Dwarforinocos.jpg
Still researching & looking to put a good transplanting soil mix together.
I have Perlite & Peat Moss...picked up some seedling potting soil.
It appears to have good draining qualities. I have some 15-5-30 fertilizer...
***How much & when to fertilize are my 1st Questions***
***When to repot is my next Question***
Thanks for letting us 'Hang out' here...and thank you any & all your help!!
:) ~Cheryl
Hi Cheryl, I have a recomendation that you don't use a lot of sand to amend your potting mix. I recently sent some bananas out to a few members and those that were heavily amended with sand I noticed had the least root developement. Those with more bark chips or perlite had a whole lot more, so even though it makes for well drained soil I guess the banana roots don't like it as much as I used to think. I wouldn't use the seed starting mix in combination with the peat moss. I think a regular potting soil amended with eother perlite , bark chips or all the above has been the best for me to date. Let the plant get established a few weeks in warm weather and then fertilize. The ratio of what you have should be great.
Good luck.
CValentine
06-09-2009, 10:34 PM
**Sigh**
Reading alot of posts...y'all are busy & prolific growers!!
Wanted to list the other things we have going on in the yard. :)
2 Nana Dwarf Pomegranates
1 Wonderful Pomegranate
1 Kinnow Mandarin tree
1 Miho Satsuma Mandarin
3 Dwarf Orinoco Bananas
Garden:
Cantaloupe, Watermelon, Thornless Blackberries
Cukes, Eggplant, Squash
Green, Yellow & Orange Mangoe Peppers
Cubanelle, Patio, Jalapeno & Banana peppers
Red & Yellow Sweet onions
Tomatoes..too many :)
(We put in a Salsa Garden) :D
(No Parsley ;) ) Sage, Rosemary, Thyme
Cilantro, Chives, Sweet Basil, Oregano
Spearmint, Peppermint
Then there's the flowers...that's another day!!
Have a good night Y'all!! :) ~Cheryl
Tog Tan
06-10-2009, 10:01 AM
Hi Che, it's nice for you to start a journal so we can see your progress. It is weird with 'naners (or just any plant) that once you get into it, the numbers tend to increase very quickly! To keep the frustration level low, I keep plants which are suited to my climate. This prevents the heart pain of losses of the plants rather than the money spent! All the best!!! :ha:
CValentine
06-19-2009, 09:17 PM
Hi Che, it's nice for you to start a journal so we can see your progress. It is weird with 'naners (or just any plant) that once you get into it, the numbers tend to increase very quickly! To keep the frustration level low, I keep plants which are suited to my climate. This prevents the heart pain of losses of the plants rather than the money spent! All the best!!! :ha:
We are all feeling 'heart pain' Tog, when people, like plants, take root in our hearts & grow forever.
We will miss you my friend...
Our memories of you multipy daily, keeping you fresh in our hearts & minds...
________________________________________________________________ _
Bananaman88
06-20-2009, 08:02 AM
You said it, Cheryl. As I was reading your post and came across Tog's reply it tripped me up there for a minute. I'm happy though that everytime I come across one of his posts that it brings good memories of him.
Richard
06-20-2009, 11:02 AM
How much & when to fertilize are my 1st Questions
From Info:Fertilizer - Bananas Wiki (http://www.bananas.org/wiki/Info:Fertilizer)
Specific Needs of Bananas
Very Young Plants: 1/4 teaspoon (TC's) to 1 teaspoon (TC starts in 2" or 4" pot) of a water-soluble such as 20-10-20. More phosphate is needed during this stage to promote root development.
CValentine
06-23-2009, 09:18 AM
Well,
It's Tuesday & 2 weeks since my banana's made it to their new home here in Texas.
Growing nicely...new leaves emerging...I am Happy!! :)
http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/vv49/valentines12/IMG_7121.jpg
The center banana has had that chronic yellow leaf & I am letting it weather itself out & try not to worry & let them be.
The toads have been trying to bed in the soft soil, but there isn't enough for them to burrow into it seems, LOL.
-----------------------------------------------
Other News:
I have had a couple of baby praying mantis make the scene here...they are camera shy & I always seem NOT to have a fresh battery handy when trying to get a good photo of them.:)
My son Joe turned 6yo yesterday...More Monster Trucks to jump over the bananas!! :D
In the past week on the truck we have replaced the u-joints on the front drive shaft, installed hood louvers, timed the engine & tuned the carb. Last night we repalced the steering bushings and installed an oil cooler. Today I anticipate wiring in the Corvette dual cooling fan.
And how was your week-end? :) ~Cheryl
CValentine
06-25-2009, 06:58 PM
I am only posting weekly pictures to document their growth, but my DO are growing beautifully!!!
The outer & inner banana plants pictured above are putting out leaves like crazy, while the center plant has only pumped out an(1) extra one. I will be applying fertilizer to just that one tonight with their watering.
The Grand Nain I put in the ground the day before yesterday, its lower leaves burnt somehow. They were crunchy, so I trimmed them off & crumbled them into the soil. Having seen the reaction of that one plant, I am keeping the other GN & DC in their pots until I see a turn for the better from the one in the ground.
I have a Brown Turkey fig sittting at Aafes waiting for me to pick it up tomorrow!!! :D
I am looking at buying a variegated calamondin...will hubby let me slide that one into the backyard...
Hope it's been a good week for everyone!! :) ~Cheryl
CValentine
06-30-2009, 02:32 AM
Week 3 for the Dwarf Orinoco's!!!
http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/vv49/valentines12/IMG_7238.jpg
Considerable growth and leaf output.
Twice a day watering, 12 hours apart, no fertilizer applied as of yet.
Really pleased with their development!!!
The Grand Nain that I put in the ground had developed brown in the leaves, slightly crunchy as before. No panicing, I will watch. It is sending up a new leaf, so there is positive growth & as I've read all over this Forum...'Do not PANIC!!! It will come out of it's FUNK!' :D
The children and I are going to sit down tomorrow and view Dr. Nelson CD on 'Growing Bananas'.
Excited to see what else we can learn about these beautiful plants!
The kids (esp. my 10yo Che') takes growing them as a challenge as it seems they are not a predictable growing plant. Each one of the bananas that we have - have a personna per say, all their own. One likes more sun and water and one likes to be left alone and not watered for 2 days. One likes more shade...and the Orinoco siblings, 2 like the sun all day everyday, while we have found that the middle one likes some shade and has perked up from last week.
...Who'd a thunk...Bananas with personalities... :D
Well, gonna wind it up here.
I purchased my Fig, and they didn't have the variagated, so I bought a solid leaved Calamondin...the blossoms smell WONDEFUL!!
Hope it's a good week where you are!! :) ~Cheryl
CValentine
07-06-2009, 03:06 PM
Week 4 of Orinoco Flow!!
Considerable leaf output & some Fertilizer burn on some of the leaves.
http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/vv49/valentines12/IMG_7314.jpg
LH plant seems to have acclaimated quite well!!
Middle plant still the lagging.
RH plant is trying to boost, leaves burnt.
Stems on all have markable increased thickness.
Waiting to see a heavy height increase before potting up.
Any hints anyone?
Grand Nain in ground is adapting better, I may have not mixed in quite enough lightweight matter to 'loft up' the soil. It appears slightly 'mucky' even though it is draining well. Will try adding mulch to the top to see if it degrades and helps the situation.
DC in pots are doing well, no problems.
GN in pot, being problematic. May put in ground to see if it remedies it.
Am expecting my newbie bananas to arrive this week....SO EXCITED!!! :D
Hope it's a good week for all!
Happy Growing!! :) ~Cheryl
CValentine
07-13-2009, 05:18 PM
Here they are @ Week 5!!!
Look at them GROW!!!
http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/vv49/valentines12/IMG_7434.jpg
Definitely kicking into gear!!! I am so happy with them!
I am going to use some fertilizer with tomorrows watering & hope that it will bump them up even further!!
Wondering though...should I repot already?
I have some new babies(:D) coming this week & need the pots...Opinions Please!!!
Thanks for checking in!! :) ~Cheryl
kaczercat
07-13-2009, 06:14 PM
wow the progress is amazing they are really moving now! id say those pots should be okay for at least another 2 weeks but some time before Aug you might want to upgrade to a few inches bigger:D
CValentine
07-20-2009, 12:26 PM
Week 6:
http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/vv49/valentines12/IMG_7507.jpg
Slight transformation...not as big a jump as I've seen in the prior 2 weeks.
The children want to repot, we will wait 'til the end of the week.
Definitely strong plants...just slower growth this week.
May try fertilizing them tomorrow.
Any ideas/input? Thanks!! :) ~Cheryl, Christel, Rissy, Che', Joe & Ren
Richard
07-20-2009, 04:42 PM
Any ideas/input?
The bigger the pot, the faster they will grow!
The center plant is a Dwarf Orinoco, started as a tissue culture 1 year ago in a 15-gallon pot and transplanted (somewhat belatedly) into a 25 gallon pot today.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=19674 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo= 19674)
Aye Caramba Cheryl! Try paying more attention to them Banana Mom!:ha:
(if it was the D. Namwah I'd understand.)
CValentine
07-28-2009, 09:26 PM
Week 7...OMGoodness!!
Are these the same plants??
I gave them fertilizer last week & BOOM!!!
ORINOCO POWER!!!
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=19999&size=1&filefix=.jpg
These guys are boosting again!!!
The kids are thrilled!!! (Mom is too!!!) :D
Definite repotting going on this week!
I'm a day late with the posting, sorry, but I had issues getting onto the site yesterday.
I may fertilize again tomorrow. Would this be too much??
Any input would be appreciated! Thanks! :) ~Cheryl
Richard
07-28-2009, 10:53 PM
I'd put them in 25 gallon pots.
CValentine
08-03-2009, 11:22 AM
Thank you Richard!! I think they are ready for those 25g pots. :D
They are growing so well!!
http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/vv49/valentines12/IMG_7978-1-1.jpg
I just am in AWE!! :) They are beautiful!!
:) ~Cheryl
CValentine
08-10-2009, 12:20 PM
WEEK 8!!!
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=20919&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=20919)
They are growing AWESOME!! :goteam:
Will repost a better picture when the sun gets higher in the sky.
((I know, I know...they're still not repotted!!))
That round Tuit...where is it???? :D ~Cheryl
hammer
08-10-2009, 12:31 PM
they look great there all the same size my orinoco where not the same size where did you buy yours at i bought 2 last month 4$ each. are you going to keep them in the pots are you going to put them in the ground.
CValentine
08-18-2009, 01:31 PM
Week 9!!!
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=21369&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=21369)
Repotted & going CRAZY!!!
All the bananas are due for some fert. this week...
Along with the repot...they should start shooting upward!
Beautiful things they are!!! :) ~Cheryl
Cheryl(and clan) if it were me next time they're due to be repotted I'd go up a lot more than one pot size. Probably to at least a 15 gallon. They're looking great.
CValentine
08-24-2009, 03:20 PM
Today is WEEK 10!!!
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=21529&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=21529)
I will be going up to a much larger pot size for week 15 - (October)
I have been weighing the options between terracotta & plastic for my bananas...Hmm...
They have the huge TC ones at the PX for a good price, just heavy as all get out.
I have moved the DO's into the backyard by the pool, hubby wouldn't mow the front yard if I didn't! :D
The plants all look good though! :) ~Cheryl
Looking good, your husbands a smart man! More room for you to till up the back 40!:ha:
CValentine
09-09-2009, 09:29 AM
UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!
2 weeks...I haven't posted & LOOK!!! :D :D :D
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=22688&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=22688)
The DO's are HUGE!!! The DN princesses are doing great too!!
I scrolled up - the growth in 2 weeks has been tremendous - just WOW!!!
(Can you tell I'm THRILLED???)
Have a great day y'all! :) ~Cheryl
hammer
09-09-2009, 10:45 AM
It is unreal how fast these guys grow. I got 2 in july they were a foot tall you can see the pics in my photo album.:woohoonaner:
CValentine
09-09-2009, 02:57 PM
Your plants look AWESOME Shannon!! :) ~Cheryl
hammer
09-09-2009, 03:27 PM
Thanks Cheryl just for the love of bananas.:woohoonaner:
CValentine
09-21-2009, 09:08 PM
I gave one to the neighbor...here are the remaining 2!!!
Getting big & FAT!! :D ~Cheryl
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=23547&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=23547)http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=23546&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=23546)
CValentine
09-29-2009, 11:04 AM
Morning All!!!
Just a picture update!! :) ~Cheryl
PS - the lower leaves that are turning yellow, have split at the bottom of the P-Stem.
The excessive rains caused a quick growth boost in the plants & I just haven't removed the leaves yet. :)
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=24025&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=24025)
CValentine
10-19-2009, 07:41 PM
Today's Dwarf Orinoco pics...
Not much change...
Fertilized with Banana Fuel(15-5-30)!!
We'll see NEXT WEEK!!! :) ~Cheryl
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=25341&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=25341)
hammer
10-20-2009, 09:53 AM
My orinoco flow is in my storage room and greenhouse we had 2 frost over the weekend man what back breaking work 6 of my tall orinocos 100pounds or better it took me and my wife to get them inside i think we counted 56 orinocos all together.
CValentine
10-20-2009, 12:49 PM
Wow Shannon!!!
You must LOVE the Orinocos!!
56?? Woah!!
No saying the F-word(frost)... :D ~Cheryl
CValentine
10-30-2009, 04:47 AM
I see a small change... :)
Guess a little fert. did them some good! :D ~Cheryl
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=25850&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=25850)
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