Starter Plants
 

Hi all

So I am purchasing a few small 6"-8" starters this week here in zone 9b in California.
Dwarf Brazilian, Dwarf Cavendish, Rajapuri and a Pisang Raja.
My question is will these plants achieve enough growth this summer (stays hot till October) to put them in the ground?
Or should I just keep repotting as needed and put in my dark garage to overwinter and put in the ground in the spring?

Re: Starter Plants
 

No, I made that mistake because I've only ever dealt with actual banana pups before.

Small tissue culture plants are very sensitive and need to be potted up in the shade away from direct sunlight.
As they grow then you can gradually start giving them sun and slowly transition them to full sun before you plant them on the ground.

Re: Starter Plants
 

Thanks Valor X

I have put the TC's in small pots and will keep in the shade for 1-2 weeks.
My question is will these plants as I slowly introduce them to the sun (in pots), be able to grow enough this season(end of October) that I can put them into the ground and they will survive the winter with some protection?

Re: Starter Plants
 

It will definitely take a lot longer than 2 weeks.

I got several small TC plants early March and the biggest is only nearing 1.5 ft. I just got them some banana specific fertilizer to see if it will help some, but that's the nature of TC plants, they grow a lot slower than natural pups.

From my understanding they should be at least 2-3ft so they can be fully established and hardy enough to withstand full sun on the ground, then they should grow like normal.

This is what I've seen work for me (and what was suggested on this forum)

Get good draining soil - mix good potting soil with perlite 50/50

If your pot doesn't have a lot of drain holes, make some more.

Do not overwater, let the soil get a little dry between waterings.

Re: Starter Plants
 

Valor X

Thanks for all the good info, much appreciated