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Old 02-24-2021, 01:48 PM   #1 (permalink)
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Joy fertilising bananas in winter/spring

Hi all,
Is it acceptable to fertilise bananas in later winter if temps are warm? they are in a polytunnel so it's warmer than outside by a few degrees.
it's getting lighter and lighter but it's still slightly cold at nights. This is in the UK so the weather can be all over the place. 2 weeks ago it was minus 7 and it's now plus 13. is it worth it? or should I just wait? spring doesn't officially begin until the 20th of march. But if the weather is lush like last year is it worth it?
what do you think?
thanks
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Old 02-24-2021, 03:06 PM   #2 (permalink)
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Default Re: fertilising bananas in winter/spring

Not much point in fertilizing unless temps are 75F or greater and plants are actively growing.
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Old 02-24-2021, 03:37 PM   #3 (permalink)
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Default Re: fertilising bananas in winter/spring

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Originally Posted by pitangadiego View Post
Not much point in fertilizing unless temps are 75F or greater and plants are actively growing.
So if temp isn’t about 75 then I shouldn’t. My poly reached 26 degrees today. This is the 4 day running it’s been high.
Okay I’ll hold off
Thanks
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Old 02-24-2021, 03:47 PM   #4 (permalink)
 
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Default Re: fertilising bananas in winter/spring

If you live in an area subject to freezing (zones 9b and down), by the time you see a new leaf the nana plant will already be growing for 2 or 3 wees to push the leaf out through the freeze damaged part of the plant. ... I already have several some of my nana plants showing a new leaf and it is only February. .... Normally I cut off the soft freeze damaged part of the plant to speed opening of the new leafs. I may still do this even if new leaves are showing.



Today is the first time my temps has gotten into the mid 70s. The temps have been in the mid 50s to mid 60s for the past 3 or 4 weeks and a few night of frost and/or light freeze.


The point is that I plan to start fertilizing this coming month so the fertilizer has time to break down and be ready for take-up when the nanas wake-up & start growing. The Banana growing season is short and the plants need to be pushed hard at the beginning of spring if you want fruit.


I think applying fertilizer (slow release type) to the nana plants 1 or 2 weeks before your average last frost date is good ... may be a little earlier if you see signs of growth sooner.
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Old 02-24-2021, 04:00 PM   #5 (permalink)
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Default Re: fertilising bananas in winter/spring

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Originally Posted by edwmax View Post
If you live in an area subject to freezing (zones 9b and down), by the time you see a new leaf the nana plant will already be growing for 2 or 3 wees to push the leaf out through the freeze damaged part of the plant. ... I already have several some of my nana plants showing a new leaf and it is only February. .... Normally I cut off the soft freeze damaged part of the plant to speed opening of the new leafs. I may still do this even if new leaves are showing.



Today is the first time my temps has gotten into the mid 70s. The temps have been in the mid 50s to mid 60s for the past 3 or 4 weeks and a few night of frost and/or light freeze.


The point is that I plan to start fertilizing this coming month so the fertilizer has time to break down and be ready for take-up when the nanas wake-up & start growing. The Banana growing season is short and the plants need to be pushed hard at the beginning of spring if you want fruit.


I think applying fertilizer (slow release type) to the nana plants 1 or 2 weeks before your average last frost date is good ... may be a little earlier if you see signs of growth sooner.
Thanks for the message,
Interesting stuff. So I have miracle grow continuous release plant food (tiny little circular pellets) I also have chicken manure pellets and fish and blood bone powders. If i apply this say the last week of March for April. I also have seaweed organic fertilise and artificial Musa fertiliser from amazon a green liquid. I’ll apply these later on more to the late April side. Banana cna take a lot of fertiliser and water on the the growing months.
But I think based of what you said that’ll be my approach.
Thanks for the information and the comment. It’s a hard one when climate change is making spring earlier and earlier each year.
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Old 02-24-2021, 04:26 PM   #6 (permalink)
 
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Default Re: fertilising bananas in winter/spring

I make my first fertilizer application in March and last application in October. My plants usually have one green cigar showing when I unwrap them after winter and two to three weeks after unwrapping they start to actively grow. I like to have the "food" in the ground and waiting for them when they wake up and get going.

Like Ed said I'm trying to make the most out of my eight month season so no fooling around.
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Old 02-24-2021, 05:01 PM   #7 (permalink)
 
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Default Re: fertilising bananas in winter/spring

Quote:
Originally Posted by OllieB497 View Post
Thanks for the message,
Interesting stuff. So I have miracle grow continuous release plant food (tiny little circular pellets) I also have chicken manure pellets and fish and blood bone powders. If i apply this say the last week of March for April. I also have seaweed organic fertilise and artificial Musa fertiliser from amazon a green liquid. I’ll apply these later on more to the late April side. Banana cna take a lot of fertiliser and water on the the growing months.
But I think based of what you said that’ll be my approach.
Thanks for the information and the comment. It’s a hard one when climate change is making spring earlier and earlier each year.

Most of those fertilizers are quick release types and require frequent application of small amounts as rain water WILL wash-away the supplied nutrients. You don't wont to apply these too far in advance as the nutrients WONT be there when the plant starts growing. ... Slow release type fertilizers are generally cheaper and longer lasting in the soil as they break-down into the soil at a slower rate.


Don't get me wrong as the quick release type fertilize are good for a quick boost either as a foliar spray or as a ground drench.
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Old 02-24-2021, 05:05 PM   #8 (permalink)
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Default Re: fertilising bananas in winter/spring

Quote:
Originally Posted by edwmax View Post
Most of those fertilizers are quick release types and require frequent application of small amounts as rain water WILL wash-away the supplied nutrients. You don't wont to apply these too far in advance as the nutrients WONT be there when the plant starts growing. ... Slow release type fertilizers are generally cheaper and longer lasting in the soil as they break-down into the soil at a slower rate.


Don't get me wrong as the quick release type fertilize are good for a quick boost either as a foliar spray or as a ground drench.
What do you use as a slow release fertiliser? What type of stuff we talking about here?
I use mulch of old woodchip but i don’t have much else. Fast release are fantastic correct
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Old 02-24-2021, 05:06 PM   #9 (permalink)
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Default Re: fertilising bananas in winter/spring

Quote:
Originally Posted by Akula View Post
I make my first fertilizer application in March and last application in October. My plants usually have one green cigar showing when I unwrap them after winter and two to three weeks after unwrapping they start to actively grow. I like to have the "food" in the ground and waiting for them when they wake up and get going.

Like Ed said I'm trying to make the most out of my eight month season so no fooling around.
Agreed there’s no time to fool around if u want the sweet fruit
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Old 02-24-2021, 07:29 PM   #10 (permalink)
 
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Default Re: fertilising bananas in winter/spring

Quote:
Originally Posted by OllieB497 View Post
What do you use as a slow release fertiliser? What type of stuff we talking about here?
I use mulch of old woodchip but i don’t have much else. Fast release are fantastic correct



I use a balanced triple NPK granular fertilizer mixed for vegetable garden which would include the needed minor elements: 10-10-10. Then I supplement potassium as required with SOP or MOP. .... I also use Miracle Grow Plant food (24-8-16) to mix my foliar spray. The Scott band was much cheaper last year. .... Buy what ever triple (vegetable blend) is available a the Big Box store and on sell.



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Old 02-25-2021, 02:20 AM   #11 (permalink)
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Default Re: fertilising bananas in winter/spring

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Originally Posted by edwmax View Post
I use a balanced triple NPK granular fertilizer mixed for vegetable garden which would include the needed minor elements: 10-10-10. Then I supplement potassium as required with SOP or MOP. .... I also use Miracle Grow Plant food (24-8-16) to mix my foliar spray. The Scott band was much cheaper last year. .... Buy what ever triple (vegetable blend) is available a the Big Box store and on sell.



Thanks for the information .
I’l get some next time I’m in the garden centre,
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Old 02-25-2021, 06:09 AM   #12 (permalink)
 
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Default Re: fertilising bananas in winter/spring

If you live in a rural area or farming community, then buying fertilizer from a farm supplier or a fertilizer dealer may be better priced than the Big Box stores. .... My fertilizer supplier manufactures the fertilizer and for nurseries in the Southeast US and sells to the Big Box stores..


Using the slow release type fertilizer is simply planning for the long term of the growing season. ....liquid or quick release fertilizer is better for container plants; ...or as a quick booster for newly emerged crops/vegetables in the field; ... or as booster for crops/plants during long drought conditions (no rain, no up take of fertiler from the soil). Quick release fertilizers tend to be more expensive than the general slow release granulure fertilizer.
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Old 02-25-2021, 08:01 AM   #13 (permalink)
 
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Default Re: fertilising bananas in winter/spring

Quote:
Originally Posted by edwmax View Post
If you live in a rural area or farming community, then buying fertilizer from a farm supplier or a fertilizer dealer may be better priced than the Big Box stores. .... My fertilizer supplier manufactures the fertilizer and for nurseries in the Southeast US and sells to the Big Box stores..


Using the slow release type fertilizer is simply planning for the long term of the growing season. ....liquid or quick release fertilizer is better for container plants; ...or as a quick booster for newly emerged crops/vegetables in the field; ... or as booster for crops/plants during long drought conditions (no rain, no up take of fertiler from the soil). Quick release fertilizers tend to be more expensive than the general slow release granulure fertilizer.

farm supplier was what I was going to suggest,, I get 50 pound bag of triple 13 for $15.00. and I can get it with pelleted lime as a filler if needed,, same price.
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Old 02-25-2021, 03:48 PM   #14 (permalink)
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Default Re: fertilising bananas in winter/spring

Quote:
Originally Posted by edwmax View Post
If you live in a rural area or farming community, then buying fertilizer from a farm supplier or a fertilizer dealer may be better priced than the Big Box stores. .... My fertilizer supplier manufactures the fertilizer and for nurseries in the Southeast US and sells to the Big Box stores..


Using the slow release type fertilizer is simply planning for the long term of the growing season. ....liquid or quick release fertilizer is better for container plants; ...or as a quick booster for newly emerged crops/vegetables in the field; ... or as booster for crops/plants during long drought conditions (no rain, no up take of fertiler from the soil). Quick release fertilizers tend to be more expensive than the general slow release granulure fertilizer.
Thanks again for this information. Very helpful
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Old 02-25-2021, 03:48 PM   #15 (permalink)
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Default Re: fertilising bananas in winter/spring

Quote:
Originally Posted by edwmax View Post
If you live in a rural area or farming community, then buying fertilizer from a farm supplier or a fertilizer dealer may be better priced than the Big Box stores. .... My fertilizer supplier manufactures the fertilizer and for nurseries in the Southeast US and sells to the Big Box stores..


Using the slow release type fertilizer is simply planning for the long term of the growing season. ....liquid or quick release fertilizer is better for container plants; ...or as a quick booster for newly emerged crops/vegetables in the field; ... or as booster for crops/plants during long drought conditions (no rain, no up take of fertiler from the soil). Quick release fertilizers tend to be more expensive than the general slow release granulure fertilizer.
Fertilisers are around and £11-£22 in the Uk
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Old 02-25-2021, 05:25 PM   #16 (permalink)
 
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Default Re: fertilising bananas in winter/spring

How big is the bag/ 20kg????
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