First timer planting Musa Basjoo questions
 

Here is my new Musa Basjoo:


and the area I want to plant it:


First question: when is it good to plant in the ground? We are usually safe in South Jersey around May 15th. We are expecting some nice warm weather over the next few days. Would it be better to wait, bringing it out on the patio and back into the house at night? or plant out now and if we expect frost cover it?

Second question: Is the area that I want to plant the banana in large enough for it to reach its potential size? It gets full sun ALL day there, so I know it's a good spot for it. Also how long does it take for it to reach it's ultimate size? Can that happen in the first year or does it take years? Also, do you feed your banana? When planting in the ground? and how often after that? What do you use to feed?

Thanks for bearing with me and all my questions! This is my first year, and after seeing all your pics am excited about mine.
Clare

Re: First timer planting Musa Basjoo questions
 

I planted one about that size in May last year and it hit around 11'. The spot you have picked out looks great to me. I used 10-10-10 and just dumped a cup full around it every two or three weeks. I'm gonna look for something like 6-2-12 this year. I think you could plant it now and just throw something over it if we get a frost. When it takes off growing you can water heavy. Here is a picture of mine in September last year.

Re: First timer planting Musa Basjoo questions
 

Sun+Water+Fertilizer= Fast growth...just make sure you aclimate the plant by setting it out in partial sun for a couple of weeks before you plant it in the direct sunlight or it will get sunburned...There are many experts here so ask as many questions as you like. You can also use the search tab and you will find most questions have already been anwsered...Welcome to the ORG!!!

Re: First timer planting Musa Basjoo questions
 

Clare, that looks like a good spot. Before planting, get it acclimated to the full sun over a one to two week period, by taking it outside and placing it in more shade in the beginning. Gradually increase the sun exposure little by little. Then it can be planted.

When planting it, do not add fertilizer to the soil. Some good compost on top will be adequate initially. Give it time to allow for root development, then you can start fertilizing it with a good 20-5-30 fertilizer with micronutrients.

If properly planted, watered and fed, it should reach full size by late summer. These grow quickly and will put out pups once established. You will want to give it room for growth and also to easily protect it for the winter. If planted too close to another structure, it will be difficult to properly protect it.

There are also many threads about winter protection of your banana plant, so I won't go into any details here.

Best of luck to you.

Re: First timer planting Musa Basjoo questions
 

Any other banana, and I would say wait until May for your location. However, Musa basjoo will grow in cool conditions, so it's OK to plant it out after danger of last frost has passed. Most of the banana cultivars will just sit there until the soil warms up, but M. basjoo starts growing in March here.

Frank

Re: First timer planting Musa Basjoo questions
 

Clare , how far south are you. My basjoo in north Jersey is uncovered, although it died to the corm. I have a few others in a cheap plastic greenhouse and they're fine. You should be ok to plant it. Like others had mentioned gradual exposure to sun will keep the current leaves from burning. Any new growth will be fine though. Good luck.

Re: First timer planting Musa Basjoo questions
 

Thanks for the quick responses!

Michael Andrew: WOW! that's quite a banana, I hope mine looks like that by Sept.
Bob: I am in Cherry Hill, NJ.

Oops, I already had it out back in the sun today for a few hours. I just moved it into the shade. I will put it in partial sun for about 10 days and then plant it out. I really can't wait to see this grow next to the pool.

I'm sure I'll be back with more questions. Thanks again! I'll post pics later in the season.

Re: First timer planting Musa Basjoo questions
 

My avatar picture is of a clump of basjoo grown from one plant the preceding year. They were around 13 ft. tall (to tip of leaves) at that point (Oct. 2008). They really are lovely bananas.