nph

For those who don't know this was one of the worst winters in Dallas, TX in a long time. Most of my bananas rotted indoors due to the long winter, I had to postpone planting them outside for at least 2 weeks compared to last year, since it was a cold spring.
Outside when I planted them again in the soil all but two died, only the small ones that spent the winter in pots survived after planting in the soli, while all banana who were outside covered in frost cloth died (usually most of the big ones I cover in frost cloth survives the winter).

This summer has not been to bad from a heat perspective and it even rained more than usual but still most of my banans are king poorly, never seen so small ones and the only one flowering (last year I had 7 flowering in June-July) has only produced 1 (one!!!) hand in the stock! Where it stand I had a huge stock last year.
Now my question is if the soil is responsible or if this is an effect of the bad winter?

I mixed in some organic solid and manure when I planted them, and I water at least every 4 weeks if not 3 weeks with banana fuel.

My Saba has produced 4 leaves and most of my Namwahs are very small compared to usual while one has grown well, my new (Sweetheart) banana!

Appreciate any advice or idea you might have.

Abnshrek

Let me know if you need some more outdoor stock.. I could've hooked you up several times this year, including last Friday.. Winter is what it was.. :^)

__________________


I'm a Nannerhead :^)

nph

Thanks, I had just enough of small pups in pot to cover my usual planting spots for my bananas. Problem is most of them are too small to put out fruit this year.
I did spot a second Na Wah today that sent out a flag leaf. However it feels like a waste since there is no chance that fruit will ever have a chance to mature...!

If history repeat itself I will definitely take you up on your offer next spring.

Btw, what varieties are you growing?
I grow primarily Nam Wah, (best success by far), Saba (grows extremely slow in my soil), Dwarf Brazilian (does ok but still haven't been able to try any fruit from it),
Mona Lisa (hopeless, after 3 years it bloomed in October, real slow grower), Sweetheart (new for this year but already my new favorite based on leaf size and growth).
Trying Gold Finger and Mysore this year, but very small so far since they started as 4 inch plants.
Tried Orinico, didn't like the fruit and it kept getting bugs on it.
Grand Nain, couldn't get it to survive winter in or outdoors.
Dwarf Cavendish, hopeless to get to survive outdoors and indoors (as a p-stem) trying in a pot now.

Gave up on Basjoo and Chinese yellow since they kept getting bugs and the leaves got pretty ugly.

So in short I like (grows mostly) Nam Wah (have tried to find ice-cream but to no avail so far), Dwarf Brazilian and now Sweetheart.
Mysore and Gold Finger still work in progress and reamin to be seen how they turn out.
Will probably give up on Saba due to the extremely slow growth, for every leaf it produces my Nam Wah turns out at least 2!

crazy banana

Sorry to hear that your bananas have a crappie year. You cannot change the weather circumstances, but what about the soil? Does it have enough drainage? Do you water regularly and enough (your comment about the bugs and the small bunch made me think that they might be on the dry side)? I have some plants that thrive on nearly 100% compost, mulched over with mulch. Richards fruit fuel is awesome. How much do you fertilize with it ? Have you tried any other fertilizers or supplements like a little extra potassium at point of bloom/fruit as well as before the winter?
Hope it will all works out for you.

nph

Thanks for all the comments.