Hi! New to this on the Space Coast of Florida

lk-in-central-florida · 03-07-2021, 02:55 PM

Hi everyone,

I'm very new to banana growth, and have learned so much reading on the forum. I just planted two banana plants - a kokopo and a dwarf cavendesh. I'm sure I'll have tons of questions, but I'll try to read to find answers first.

Here is the Kokopo (I know it's a narrow spot - we don't have a lot of areas that get good sun and are not in the path of our highly saline sprinkler water ... I've heard bananas hate salt, is that true?) ... this is good soil, drains quickly, but narrow.

Here is the Dwarf Cavendesh (I think it's mostly protected from sprinklers)

Anyway, thanks in advance for what I'm sure will be tons of great info and support! (If I need to move that Kokopo, lemme know now, since I just planted it).

Lara

Iowa · 03-07-2021, 03:11 PM

I don't think too many plants like salt.

lk-in-central-florida · 03-07-2021, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iowa

I don't think too many plants like salt.

Hi, yeah, that's true, though here on the coast there are some that don't mind it. Anyway, I go out of my way to protect those that I'm told are specifically averse to salinity, as with the new banana plants.

cincinnana · 03-07-2021, 09:29 PM

Welcome to the Jungle

Have fun here

Iowa · 03-07-2021, 10:44 PM

3

Quote:

Originally Posted by lk-in-central-florida

Hi, yeah, that's true, though here on the coast there are some that don't mind it. Anyway, I go out of my way to protect those that I'm told are specifically averse to salinity, as with the new banana plants.

I guess in your area some plants have to tolerate some salt. Here it's not as natural, our salt comes from salt put on roads and walk ways. When the ice and snow melt off some plants get salty water.

AaronTT · 03-08-2021, 06:00 AM

Most plants don't do well with salt because the same pathway that salt is taken up into the plant tissues is also used by potassium. Sodium and potassium have this opposing reaction in nature. Unfortunately sodium is easier to uptake than potassium is. Too much salt will essentially rob the plant of much needed potassium and kill them. There are plants that have varying levels of tolerance to salt; as far as I know bananas are not one of them. Bananas have a high need for potassium though.

In my personal opinion I would give the Patupi the better location because the dwarf cav. Is pretty common and much easier to replace. Plus, the Patupi is much better tasting...

Snarkie · 03-08-2021, 08:36 AM

Welcome aboard the Banana Express!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iowa

I don't think too many plants like salt.

Especially triffids! You'd think that pepper vines would like salt though...

lk-in-central-florida · 03-08-2021, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AaronTT

Most plants don't do well with salt because the same pathway that salt is taken up into the plant tissues is also used by potassium. Sodium and potassium have this opposing reaction in nature. Unfortunately sodium is easier to uptake than potassium is. Too much salt will essentially rob the plant of much needed potassium and kill them. There are plants that have varying levels of tolerance to salt; as far as I know bananas are not one of them. Bananas have a high need for potassium though.

In my personal opinion I would give the Patupi the better location because the dwarf cav. Is pretty common and much easier to replace. Plus, the Patupi is much better tasting...

I didn't know that about potassium. Thank you!

I actually think, other than the limited spacing, the patupi's location is better - it's completely out of the sprinkler range (the cavendish will get small amounts), and the soil is just generally better.

So I guess that's a question for experts - would it be better to get a small amount of salt, a bit more sun, and more space, or no salt, decent but not 100% sun, and limited space? Those seem to be my two options.

(Once I - hopefully - have pups, I'll try to experiment with placements, but I wanted to give the patupi the best shot of getting to that point).

I appreciate your guidance!

cincinnana · 03-09-2021, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lk-in-central-florida

I didn't know that about potassium. Thank you!

I actually think, other than the limited spacing, the patupi's location is better - it's completely out of the sprinkler range (the cavendish will get small amounts), and the soil is just generally better.

So I guess that's a question for experts - would it be better to get a small amount of salt, a bit more sun, and more space, or no salt, decent but not 100% sun, and limited space? Those seem to be my two options.

(Once I - hopefully - have pups, I'll try to experiment with placements, but I wanted to give the patupi the best shot of getting to that point).

I appreciate your guidance!

With your limited conditions.....it does not matter what you do.

Salt will almost never be an issue.....in your area��
Unless under special circumstances
Most of the time it is a non issue for backyard gardens..
The best thing one could do is amend the sandy soil .

lk-in-central-florida · 03-10-2021, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cincinnana

With your limited conditions.....it does not matter what you do.

Salt will almost never be an issue.....in your area��
Unless under special circumstances
Most of the time it is a non issue for backyard gardens..
The best thing one could do is amend the sandy soil .

Thank you! I fear I'm having trouble interpreting what people write. I've never grown a banana before. Should the patupi be okay where it is? Should I move it? I'm so confused by the responses.

cincinnana · 03-11-2021, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lk-in-central-florida

Thank you! I fear I'm having trouble interpreting what people write. I've never grown a banana before. Should the patupi be okay where it is? Should I move it? I'm so confused by the responses.

Well....
The fellas want to cover all the growing basics for your plant which interprets to some great stuff.
Banana plants will turn away from any structure they are planted next too...

Banana plants lean....me I know this......I have some lean with some planters I have along vertical structures .The plant will adapt..

Reminder......when small... the plant is an awesome cool tropical plant along the pooler fence line.......but they get big and the rules change.

lk-in-central-florida · 03-13-2021, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cincinnana

Well....
The fellas want to cover all the growing basics for your plant which interprets to some great stuff.
Banana plants will turn away from any structure they are planted next too...

Banana plants lean....me I know this......I have some lean with some planters I have along vertical structures .The plant will adapt..

Reminder......when small... the plant is an awesome cool tropical plant along the pooler fence line.......but they get big and the rules change.

Thank you. That makes sense. Can I transplant them after pupping, so keep them from damaging the area?

03-07-2021, 02:55 PM	#1 (permalink)
lk-in-central-florida Join Date: Mar 2021 Posts: 26 BananaBucks : 5,139 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 21 Times Was Thanked 16 Times in 10 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Hi! New to this on the Space Coast of Florida Hi everyone, I'm very new to banana growth, and have learned so much reading on the forum. I just planted two banana plants - a kokopo and a dwarf cavendesh. I'm sure I'll have tons of questions, but I'll try to read to find answers first. Here is the Kokopo (I know it's a narrow spot - we don't have a lot of areas that get good sun and are not in the path of our highly saline sprinkler water ... I've heard bananas hate salt, is that true?) ... this is good soil, drains quickly, but narrow. Here is the Dwarf Cavendesh (I think it's mostly protected from sprinklers) Anyway, thanks in advance for what I'm sure will be tons of great info and support! (If I need to move that Kokopo, lemme know now, since I just planted it). Lara

03-07-2021, 03:11 PM	#2 (permalink)
Iowa Location: Burlington,Iowa Find me on the map! Zone: 5 Name: Mike Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 706 BananaBucks : 51,462 Feedback: 3 / 100% Said "Thanks" 573 Times Was Thanked 1,022 Times in 384 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 603 Times	Re: Hi! New to this on the Space Coast of Florida I don't think too many plants like salt. __________________ Growing Musa Orinoco since 1993 - Added 2018-Basjoo, Zebrina' Rojo, Ensete Red Abyssinian - Added 2019-Goldfinger - Added 2020-Kokopo (Short Cycle), Double (Mahoi), Highgate, Super Dwarf Cavendish - Added 2021-Pisang Ceylon(Mysore), Musa Margarita, Ensete Ventricosum - Added 2023 - Siam Ruby

03-07-2021, 09:29 PM	#4 (permalink)
cincinnana container grower Location: Southwest Ohio U.S.A.🇺🇸 Find me on the map! Zone: HZ 6/5 Microclimate - Elevation 750 feet- 228.60 meters Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 8,878 BananaBucks : 6,799 Feedback: 7 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,914 Times Was Thanked 11,779 Times in 4,912 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1,957 Times	Re: Hi! New to this on the Space Coast of Florida Welcome to the Jungle Have fun here __________________ Cincinnana/Hostafarians Photo Gallery 🌴

03-08-2021, 06:00 AM	#6 (permalink)
AaronTT Location: Geneva, Florida Zone: 9B, 10 Name: Aaron Join Date: Jul 2020 Posts: 329 BananaBucks : 18,391 Feedback: 3 / 100% Said "Thanks" 232 Times Was Thanked 334 Times in 167 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 46 Times	Re: Hi! New to this on the Space Coast of Florida Most plants don't do well with salt because the same pathway that salt is taken up into the plant tissues is also used by potassium. Sodium and potassium have this opposing reaction in nature. Unfortunately sodium is easier to uptake than potassium is. Too much salt will essentially rob the plant of much needed potassium and kill them. There are plants that have varying levels of tolerance to salt; as far as I know bananas are not one of them. Bananas have a high need for potassium though. In my personal opinion I would give the Patupi the better location because the dwarf cav. Is pretty common and much easier to replace. Plus, the Patupi is much better tasting... Last edited by AaronTT : 03-08-2021 at 06:14 AM.

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