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Old 06-16-2009, 03:47 PM   #1 (permalink)
 
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Hello!

This is only my 3rd season growing bananas -- one spring, I realized just how bored I was with all the "traditional" plants for around here in zone 6a. I wanted to try something new and learn all about it. I love tropicals (and, obviously, live in the wrong place for that!) and decided to give it a go. Didn't realize how much there is to learn/know, how many varieties, and just how addicted I would get.

The first banana I got was a dwarf cavendish. Afterwards, I was told that it was one of the hardest varieties to maintain when you must overwinter indoors. Apparently incorrect advice, as it turns out I've had great luck in getting my "Big Mama" to last all 3 seasons (approx. 200# rootball & p-stem). I just posted a question about a bizarre new event -- getting bananas, but coming out through the side of the p-stem! As I mention in my post, nothing I do is ever straightforward, so why would bananas be any different? I have her first large pup I took last year & one I just removed a week ago before knowing "mom" was going to bloom -- both getting their foothold this season & starting to grow well.

I also LOVE the look of red abysinnians and have a number of those. My largest right now is over 2 ft. tall and the other 4 starter plants are coming along nicely. I have a few velutinas & ornatas -- my first (and only) previous bloom was a velutina. Beautiful! Living "up here", I don't expect too much, just truly love the foliage and learning about growing new types of plants. I've been lucky, however, and have had now had 2 blooms, albeit this one a bit on the weird science side of things. I get stupid excited when the blooms come (yes, even this freaky one) -- showing play-by-play pictures & calling everyone I know blathering on about the event. I find it unbelievably fascinating.

I'm also growing 3 fan palms (having so-so luck with those -- 2nd season), a number of bottle palms (agonizingly slow growing), 4 varieties of cannas (including a new one this year ... Durban -- can't wait to see orange flowers!), several varieties of elephant ears (mostly giant so they can get some size on them during our short growing seasons), and am trying a pineapple for fun -- not expecting fruit, but got it to last the winter & into this 2nd season. Happy also for first-time luck in overwintering a hybiscus -- most people's plants overwintered around here never re-bloom, but mine is sporting a beautiful flower currently and several buds waiting to burst.

Motto: I NEED A GREENHOUSE!!!!

Well, now that I've given you TMI, I just wanted to say I'm glad to be here, am anxious to learn all I can from everyone, grateful for the kind and speedy advice, and looking forward to being part of this community.

Annie
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Old 06-16-2009, 03:56 PM   #2 (permalink)
 
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Wow Annie I never expected to have any blooms being this far north and the short season. But you have inspired me. Maybe next year I'll have some too!

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Old 06-16-2009, 03:59 PM   #3 (permalink)
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Welcome again.....Just about every question you could have can be found in past threads or by one of the members..Good luck with the naners.
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Old 06-16-2009, 04:27 PM   #4 (permalink)
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Have a blast, it is definitely rewarding!
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Old 06-16-2009, 06:07 PM   #5 (permalink)
 
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Default Re: Just Getting Started

Thanks very much for the welcome!

Michael -- Yes, please have hope for blooms! I got a bloom right away my second season, so I will have my fingers crossed for you that you will get to enjoy that excitement this year yourself!

Jeff -- I read where you said you were originally from Beavercreek -- I used to work in graphics from the home of my boss in Tara Estates. She grew the business & we moved to a double behind Johnny's Carryout (across from the old barrel factory -- street name escapes me at the moment) ... then to a business bldg. on Mardon Dr. off of Dayton-Xenia. When did you move away? I've lived in Dayton all my life and the last 27 yrs. near UD. How cool to know we were once "neighbors"!

Thanks again for the welcome and glad to be a member,
Annie
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Old 06-17-2009, 08:57 AM   #6 (permalink)
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Welcome Annie, I'm in 6a too(NJ) and glad to hear you're having such success. It gives me hope as well.
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Old 06-17-2009, 09:05 AM   #7 (permalink)
 
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Welcome, good growing and best wishes Annie!
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Old 06-17-2009, 09:15 AM   #8 (permalink)
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Annie, well you are an inspiration. Please, could you write in more detail the precise conditions for growing the nanas in your region (how often does it rain, what are the max temperatures, how long do they last, when your first frosts occur, how long does the winter stay in your neighborhood...) and possibly point on the Koppen Geiger climate map your zone?

I would also be interested in your detailed description of the growing methods you use, what nanas/cultivars/plantains you have, how do you overwinter them?
This will be my first actual year in the ground, I only used to pot the naners, but now I have several cold hardier varieties and want to make them bloom by the next year.
I also have a pool, which is also a greenhouse from Februar to November for my pineapples, so if you need any advice as to growing, ligt conditions, temperatures, feel free to ask.
I made one pinapple into fruiting last year, it took him 15 months before I could taste the p-apple, but was definitely worth it.

Btw. I'm from Europe, so it would be perfect, if you could describe those conditions, methods... as precisely and clearly as possible. I would be very thankful to you. PM or this thread, I don't mind either way, this thread is from now on under constant observation.

Thanks and welcome to the org.
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Old 06-17-2009, 09:36 AM   #9 (permalink)
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Welcome Annie!!

I am a transplanted Texan, Thank you US Army...
Former SW Ohioan, went to college @WSU.
Wow, very cool!
My XDH used to live in Dayton on N. Fairfield Road after the Beaver-Vu Bowl & Roller rink. (Before Fairfield Commons sprung up)
My current husband & I used to play pool frequently at Ned Peppers(tall glass of Bass please) & hit Newcom's on occasion.
5th street...Halloween?? FUN!!
Anyhow, great to make your aquaintance & know we'll see you around the threads!!

~Cheryl
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Old 06-17-2009, 01:24 PM   #10 (permalink)
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I grew up there but after graduating from B.H.S in 1987 I left. Last time I was there the mall was a corn field. I passed thru several years ago while in Xenia and I couldn't hardly recognize it anymore. We lived off Vayview which was in a subdivision over close to Wright Patterson. Wow it just hit me how old I am because I can't remember any of the street names. Well I just mapquested it......We lived near Grange Hall rd near I-675......Dang its been a long time....Guess I should go back for a visit.
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Old 06-17-2009, 02:34 PM   #11 (permalink)
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Welcome Annie & thanks for sharing your story. Do you have any pics of that 'freaky' nana blooming out the side?
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Old 06-17-2009, 05:27 PM   #12 (permalink)
 
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Hi Annie. Glad to see you ignoring the zones...good on you. I overwinter trop hibiscus and they (almost) always bloom for me the next summer. Sometimes i'll have one that just doesn't make it, but it's worth it. I also love hardy hibiscus and have a number of varieties in my garden year round.My DC is also overwintered and is doing fine; I just have to keep repotting into larger pots! Pray for mine to have a bloom.
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Old 06-17-2009, 08:17 PM   #13 (permalink)
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Howard ....I'm confused...(nothing new here)...You overwintered trop hibiscus outdoors at your place?
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Old 06-17-2009, 08:19 PM   #14 (permalink)
 
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Default Re: Just Getting Started

Hello Again!

Bob & Jack: Please DO have hope! I'm SO new to nanners and mostly flying by the seat of my pants, so have been lucky -- so I'm SURE you can certainly get blooms! And, Jack, I will be happy to pass along more info about our climate here, etc. if I can be of any assistance at all. I will stop by tomorrow and either PM you or reply to this thread with the additional info when I have a bit more time than tonite. I did take a moment to check my climate on the Koppen Geiger map and, best I can tell, it's Dfa. Will that translate to your climate at all (I'm ashamed to admit that I'm VERY geographically challenged!)?

Patty: Thanks for the welcome and, yes, I have 4 pix of my weird science banana bloomer in my gallery. Thanks for the welcome.

Cheryl: How cool! I work at UD and used to hang out at both the Beaver-Vu bowl & rink myself. We used to be at that rink most every weekend. OMG I feel old! You aren't kidding about the Oregon District on Halloween -- SO much fun! I love even just sitting on the sidelines with a beer & watching all the crazies. It is GREAT to meet another "local" on here.

Jeff: I graduated from Belmont ... and if YOU feel old – I graduated in '78. The place my old employer moved to was near the intersection of Grange Hall & Patterson Rds. I run over there to Knollwood Garden Center all the time (and drool, but moving on...). As I said to Cheryl, GREAT to meet other "locals" on here, even tho you are both "transplanted". I know you both ended up with the better weather than me still here in town.

Thanks everyone for the warm welcomes, well wishes, and for this great community!

Annie
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Old 06-18-2009, 02:14 AM   #15 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Annie6078OH View Post
...And, Jack, I will be happy to pass along more info about our climate here, etc. if I can be of any assistance at all. I will stop by tomorrow and either PM you or reply to this thread with the additional info when I have a bit more time than tonite. I did take a moment to check my climate on the Koppen Geiger map and, best I can tell, it's Dfa. Will that translate to your climate at all (I'm ashamed to admit that I'm VERY geographically challenged!)?...
That would be very much appreciated. I myself am in zone 7b/8a in USDA, but most importantly zone Dfa in the Koppen climate classification (cold continental winter, hot summers, no dry period). This gives me lots of hope.
Also if you could say which cultivars/plants you have succesfully led to fruiting? Whether it was basjoo, sikkimensis or some edibles. Will be waiting so eager to listen to your methods, thanks.
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Old 06-18-2009, 08:34 AM   #16 (permalink)
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Welcome aboard, Annie! I'm sorry that I won't be able to help much with your cold issues, but you couldn't find a better bunch of banana-fanatics than you've got here.
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Old 06-18-2009, 12:13 PM   #17 (permalink)
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Hey, who you callin' a fanatic, Lorax??? I think you know we're all fiends here!

Welcome to our humble board, Annie!
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Old 06-18-2009, 12:51 PM   #18 (permalink)
 
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Howard ....I'm confused...(nothing new here)...You overwintered trop hibiscus outdoors at your place?
Don't get excited Bob, I meant overwintered in the house in pots. Sorry to get your hopes up...LOL.
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Old 06-18-2009, 12:56 PM   #19 (permalink)
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Don't get excited Bob, I meant overwintered in the house in pots. Sorry to get your hopes up...LOL.
Good thing ...for you.... you almost had a new neighbor!!
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Old 06-19-2009, 04:12 PM   #20 (permalink)
 
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Ok, Jack ... I warn you, this will probably turn out to be a novel if I remember to cover everything you asked, but here goes!

Our “last frost” date is always under debate, but the consensus falls between May 12-19. I bring my plants out a bit before then & bring in overnight if we DO get a really cold or frosty night. We get a lot of rain in April & May, so the ground is usually good by that date to plant – we have extremely clay soil that is hard as a rock if too dry (I work at amending my beds each year), so I dig the hole a good bit deeper & bigger around than my rootball. Then I make a mixture of PayGro (sort of a topsoil with mulch & goodies mixed in), garden soil, pete moss, and Pearlite, put some in the hole, set in the rootball, and then backfill with a mixture of the regular soil, the mix, and some of the potting mix from the pot. Then I mulch with pine needles around the base – I have luck with about 1-1/2 inches as long as I keep up with watering every few days. I use a banana fertilizer (15-5-30) to water in the plantings.

I don’t seem to get a lot of energy to my bananas using just that fertilizer alone. The first year, I had a small amount of Osmocote (19-6-12) I tossed out in the bed to finish off the bottle (didn’t even dig in). Lo and behold, the bananas went bananas, so after 1-2 feedings with the banana fertilizer, I dig in some Osmocote, then keep using the banana fertilizer every 1-1/2 to 2 weeks. I’ve mostly grown ornamentals, but now that I might actually get an edible variety to bloom, I’m going to start learning about composting, as I’d prefer to be more “organic” for something that I might be able to eat if I get lucky enough for fruit maturity as well as the blooms. I’ve heard Epsom Salts is good to add, but haven’t tried it yet.

Temps stay in the upper 70s-low 80s with mid-50’s nites for May. In June, mid to upper 80s with 60s-70 at night. We have sunny, very humid summers often in the 90s, then temps start dropping off at night in late September. By early October (sometimes later if we’re lucky), we’re getting fairly cool days and it's time to ready for overwintering. Once the banana growth really slows down & nights are getting a bit chilly, I pot them up – I try to do it early enough that I can leave outside for at least a week to help them acclimate to the shock of transplanting before shocking them even more bringing indoors. If I remember, I water with a product that helps with stress that’s been around for as long as I can remember. Name escapes me right now, but if you’d like, I’ll get it for you.

I had NO luck having smaller plants go dormant, so this past winter, moved all mangeable-sized plants to a back bedroom (UPstairs!) and built a VERY tall stand for a grow light to get it high enough to cover as many pots as possible. Had to keep costs down, so only used it every 2-3 days for 6-8 hrs. overnight – just enough to keep them alive.

My “big mama” DC is way too tall, so gets all the leaves cut off but the center one (this kills me every year), then I dig it up. Because the rootball is so big around, I get a big roughneck outdoor trashcan and put a large upside-down pot in the bottom to help reduce the amt. of soil needed & put in the basement. The only spot I have is near a window, but our winters are SO gloomy, it hasn’t seemed to cause any problems, nor the basement fluorescents when I’m doing laundry & projects down there. The furnace is nearby & temps never get down to the 50s-60s I’ve always heard for overwintering, but it hasn’t hurt anything. I water about once a month – just a little bit so the rootball doesn’t shrivel up. I’ve done this 2 years in a row with “big mama” and she & her pups have survived BOTH winters.

Well, I think that takes you through the gamut of how I do my bananas here. I’ve only had 2 seasons under my belt, so am a complete newbie, but have been VERY fortunate to have some blooming success (first a velutina & now this DC). You asked what I’ve been growing: red Abyssinians (didn’t overwinter well, but probably would if I could run the grow light more), DCs, velutinas, and ornatas. This Spring, I added some blue javas & basjoos. I hear the basjoos have to be at least 3 ft. tall at the end of the growing season to even HOPE to get them to overwinter here – we’ll see how I do with those. I grow a lot of elephant ears that I let the leaves freeze, cut back, lift the corms, pack in peat moss in a clothesbasket lined with newspaper to keep the peat in and put in a back bedroom with the furnace register & windowshade closed to keep it dark. I always forget to mist & temps only get down to around 62 (a bit warm for overwintering), but they still come back full force when repotted every single year. Once they get established, I plant them in the ground. As I’ve said, I grow giant varieties so I get a little size to the leaves in our short growing season. I also grow cannas (4 varieties/colors out this year). I also have been growing a bird of paradise & pineapple for fun … doubtful if I’ll see blooms/fruit in this zone, but like the foliage & have gotten them to last (in the same room with the grow light) into this 2nd season. I’m trying some bottle and fan palms for fun, but having limited success with palm varieties in this zone.

Wow! It WAS a novel ... more like 2!!! Hope this answered all your questions and ends up helping you somehow.

Best of luck!
Andrea
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