AnnaJW
 

I am wondering how your Bananas held up to the heat last week. I know your part of town is even hotter and dryer than mine. Can you post pics?

Re: AnnaJW
 

I have a couple that are looking pretty sad right now. :( I've been trying to keep them cooled off by misting a couple of times a day with the hose. When it was over 100, the plants just seemed to stop growing. Our back yard faces south, so the poor plants get full sun almost all day.

I'll take some pics tomorrow and post them.

Anna

Re: AnnaJW
 

Thanks, any local info is good info! I am thinking of installing a misting system and leaving it on all day during heat spells. Have you looked into this?

Re: AnnaJW
 

Hello from the other coast. I hope you don't mind if I jump in on your thread.

I live in southeast coastal GA and fight the same battle every summer. This July I set up a couple of rotary sprinklers (Rain Birds) on 10 foot poles that are on timers. I thought about misters but the sprinklers cover a much larger (circular) area meaning I can get by with much fewer of them. They run for 3 minutes every hour from 10 AM to 5 PM. They seem to make a great difference in the stress the plants experience. We had several weeks in a row of mid to high 90's. I think the water from the sprinklers and it's cooling effect has been a treat for the bananas. (Since our humidity is much higher than yours I think you should see a much better cooling effect from any mist/water.) I also find my plants just seem to stop growing when the temps get that high. :)

Re: AnnaJW
 

I have thought about a misting system. Would make it much easier, and I would probably be out there sitting in the middle of the banana plants enjoying the mist myself. :)

The sprinklers sound great, too! I am getting ready to move out into the lawn area with my plants. I think this would work very well.

Now I'm starting to focus on fall/winter. I'm seriously wondering about one of those patio heaters to place near the plants.

I didn't get a chance to get my pictures today. But, I found - I think - a bargain at Walmart on Red Banana plants. 3-4 ft. high and $5.50. Very healthy looking! They just called to me as I was walking in. :-)

Re: AnnaJW
 

Not sure what all this fuss is about the heat. Exactly how hot are you guys down there in Riverside?
I can't picture it being any hotter than here (Antioch) or over in Modesto where some of the other banana growers live. None of which have resorted to misters to keep the plants going.
Mike

Re: AnnaJW
 

ditto troops,

i've started again every couple of days giving mine a bath with the water hose..

i'm doing cuz rajas are still acting funny and wanted to know if this would fix the problem..

my first sdc was given a bath once a week for 2 years, then it crapped out on me.. but wasn't the bath just variety and cold here in ga..

oh i like heavy mulch too

Re: AnnaJW
 

Where I'm located we've had several heat waves where it's been 105 and even higher. Once it hits 100 or so, my plants just "sit there". I do need to get some mulch around my plants.

Re: AnnaJW
 

I just put a few new pics in my gallery. The weather today has been a little cooler; especially early AM and tonight. The plants should be happier, and it's nice to open some windows to get a breeze!!!

Re: AnnaJW
 

Looks like they will survive just fine after the weather cools down some. You have a lot of space to grow! I wish i had that kind kind of space. While I really enjoyed seeing your plants I have to admit the toad was the coolest! Do you see him all the time?

Re: AnnaJW
 

It's funny, but I just noticed him a couple of weeks ago when I drained my little pool. He was hiding in it, so I left it up with a little water in it. I've seen him several times since. Latest was yesterday when I was planting another banana plant. He is a cool little guy. And I love knowing I have natural insect control!