3x3 method ???
 

Has anyone else tried the 3 foot hole, 3 feet deep method ?
Dig your hole, lay a 2-3 foot 4" pipe at the bottom of the hole, fill it up with compost/manure/ microb/fertilizer rich mix and plant a nanner ???
I never tried this method, but the shovel is wooping me !
Any comments would be great ! :08:

Re: 3x3 method ???
 

What is the purpose of the pipe exactly? It sounds like you are laying it flat. Is that correct?

Re: 3x3 method ???
 

Its lays flat in the bottom of the hole. Supposedly it allows a pocket of air for the roots.
Sounded silly, but I didn't dig that big ass hole for nothing and I wasn't about to jinx it so the pipe went in.
LOL

Re: 3x3 method ???
 

That probably will not function well. Having a cavity or cave underground works great for oxygen, but without a source of moisture to the center area the roots do very poorly. The organics will dry and a dusty type of fungus grows. Done correctly it works but not worth the effort and by understanding the concept you can also greatly improve the design.

Re: 3x3 method ???
 

I think this could work with other types of plants. But Banana roots grow out far, not to deep so 3 ft deep seems a little much to me for Naners. I usually dig a hole about 2 - 3 ft wide and maybe 1 ft deep and put thick layer of compost, worm castings & azomite down. Cover the root ball in Myco. Then more castings and compost on top around the plant, add mulch. After I water in Humic acid and then im done

Re: 3x3 method ???
 

You can put cans, jars, bottles, and even an old tire in your big ass hole, but does it actually help.

If you eliminated the pipe and just buried the organic material, it will decay and naturally create the air pocket you desire.

Bio char works much better and can be spread evenly throughout the hole, it absorbs a tremendous amount of water and releases it when needed. When the moisture is released back into the soil it is replaced with air, this cycle allows the soil to breathe naturally.

Re: 3x3 method ???
 

I agree with Mike & Giant. Seems like the hole size is overkill, but it can't hurt. I have been told that twice the dia. & one times the death of the root ball is sufficient, but also depends on quality of the soil i.e. tight clay vs. loose fluffy.

Re: 3x3 method ???
 

The purpose of digging a big hole is to loosen soils for future root development. 18" deep is sufficient for bananas. For perennial fruit trees I recommend 3'x3'x3'.

Re: 3x3 method ???
 

If nothing else, the bacteria will have room for a swing set, slide, etc..... lol

Re: 3x3 method ???
 

An overdose of potash can kill plants.

Re: 3x3 method ???
 

It's been a little over 3 weeks now. I've been throwing 1/3c 46% urea and 1 cup 56% sop. Stir it up with 3 gallons of water to each adult plant every week.
Best I've ever seen my plants. Nice dark green foliage and about a foot of p-stem growth

Re: 3x3 method ???
 

Re: 3x3 method ???
 

If SoP is the only source of potash, then for an edible banana in the ground that is past the juvenile stage: 2+2/3 Lbs of SoP would be a reasonable annual maximum.

Re: 3x3 method ???
 

I gave up on the pipe in the ground idea. Instead I built a fork with holes on the bottom outside edges ( like a upside down V)
With a riser, all made with 1 1/2" pipe. This fork will be placed directly under the corm. Water & feed can be sent directly to the root system.