Fertilizer questions

Magilla Gorilla · 08-19-2008, 12:10 AM

I don't have access to a local source of Banana fertilizer. I have citrus and avocado fertilizer 12-5-8. What could I mix in to make this a nice blend for my bananas? Or, is the 12-5-8 o.k.? What is the ideal N-P-K ratio?

Your feedback is greatly appreciated!

Andrew

Lagniappe · 08-19-2008, 12:22 AM

Here's a link that Bananaman88 posted in another thread :
http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/nelsons/...management.pdf
In it 13-3-37 is used along with other things .
I wonder what the members with all the bunches this year are using ?

enigma99a · 08-19-2008, 12:38 AM

You should be shooting for 9-3-27, but 16-16-16 is working good for me. However I have no hands yet so I can't really speak

Anyway, I think either or is fine, however the optimum is low in phosphorus, and 12-5-8 doesn't quite have the potassium they need. But it's probably still better than nothing.

Magilla Gorilla · 08-19-2008, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lagniappe

Here's a link that Bananaman88 posted in another thread :
http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/nelsons/...management.pdf
In it 13-3-37 is used along with other things .
I wonder what the members with all the bunches this year are using ?

WOW! That was a cool document. Thank you!

Richard · 08-19-2008, 12:53 AM

To get a commercial-size crop, a banana plant needs 1 lb of Nitrogen and 1.5 lbs of Potash in the one year period ending with the bloom. It needs very little phosphorus, and it will ignore excess phosphorus. Now your soil might already have these elements in abundance, or perhaps the plants growing there have used them up. Either test the soil or start applying fertilizer.

It is helpful to know that the N-P-K on fertilizer labels is percentage by weight, regardless of whether it is liquid or solid. For example, a 9-3-27 fertilizer is 9% Nitrogen by weight. For this fertilizer, you need to apply 1 lb divided by 9% = 11 lbs of it over the one year period.

A better ratio for bananas is 20-5-30 water-soluble fertilizer -- soon to be appearing in my online store, Plants That Produce.

Simply Bananas · 08-19-2008, 03:33 AM

I use 12-2-14.

asacomm · 08-19-2008, 04:00 AM

Here in zone9b, I have used 8-8-8, but for better harvest, I began to use
10-10-10 fertilizer. I believe this works well.

Lagniappe · 08-19-2008, 09:10 AM

Forgot to mention that I fertilized once ,about a month ago,and used 13-13-13 because it was cheap and easy to get . In previous years I used all likes of fertilizers and tea and sprayed liquid fertilizer each week .

Magilla Gorilla · 08-19-2008, 09:35 AM

Thanks for all the helpful information! One last question: Is it o.k. to fertilize when my plants are in bloom?

Thank you,

Andrew

NANAMAN · 08-20-2008, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Magilla Gorilla

I don't have access to a local source of Banana fertilizer. I have citrus and avocado fertilizer 12-5-8. What could I mix in to make this a nice blend for my bananas? Or, is the 12-5-8 o.k.? What is the ideal N-P-K ratio?

Your feedback is greatly appreciated!

Andrew

you could add K-mag. And yes, you can fertilize while in bloom!

Chironex · 08-20-2008, 11:17 PM

Richard, I like your website! Waiting for your special fertilizer made just for bananas. I am using Banana Fuel right now. I got it from one of the eBay vendors. It is a 15-5-30 formula with essential minor elements.

modenacart · 08-21-2008, 10:52 AM

I have used the 5 dollar bag of 10-10-10 from lowe putting on about a cup every two to three weeks and it has worked great. It may not be the "best" mixture, but the ones I have ferilized with it have done great. I think this is one of the things that you can spend as much much as you want.

Richard · 08-21-2008, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by modenacart

I have used the 5 dollar bag of 10-10-10 from lowe putting on about a cup every two to three weeks and it has worked great. It may not be the "best" mixture, but the ones I have ferilized with it have done great. I think this is one of the things that you can spend as much much as you want.

I'm not sure which 5-lb product you purchased. Looking at Lowes online for Durham NC, they have 5-lb Miracle Gro 10-10-10 for $11. That works out to $11/5 = $2.20 per lb, or more importantly, $2.20 / 10% = $22 per pound of Nitrogen.

That is quite expensive in terms of current prices. I would look for a primary fertilizer that also contains micros for under $15 per pound of Nitrogen. But maybe you did! What was the product, and how much did it cost?

modenacart · 08-21-2008, 12:13 PM

It was a 40 lb bag. I believe it was where all the fertilizer for the lawns were where the mulch is.

I doubt it has any minors.

modenacart · 08-21-2008, 12:16 PM

I checked the lowes website but it wasn't on it. You might have to check out your local store to see if they have it. I bought it last year so I suspect the price may have gone up a few dollars too because of gas prices.

Richard · 08-21-2008, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by modenacart

I checked the lowes website but it wasn't on it. You might have to check out your local store to see if they have it. I bought it last year so I suspect the price may have gone up a few dollars too because of gas prices.

Ahh, very good! 40 lbs of 10-10-10 for $5 is $1.25 per pound of Nitrogen!! I can't even buy it wholesale (a pallet at a time) for that price!

Consider adding some ashes from charcoal or wood each time you feed your plants. Use about the same quantity as your fertilizer. Mix it in with the top inch of mulch to prevent aggregation.

harveyc · 08-22-2008, 01:46 AM

FYI - In June 2007 I bought UN-32 (liquid 32-0-0) for $409/ton and in April 2008 it cost me $523/ton. It would be higher yet now because of higher oil prices.

I use a little of that, and some steer manure, but put on quite a bit of KMag that cost about $.20/pound when I bought something like 800 pounds for Joe Real, Benny, and myself. My soil already is naturally fairly high in phosphorus.

08-19-2008, 12:10 AM	#1 (permalink)
Magilla Gorilla Magilla Gorilla's Photo Gallery Location: Holualoa, HI Find me on the map! Zone: 10 Name: Andrew Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 727 BananaBucks : 290,577 Feedback: 6 / 100% Said "Thanks" 612 Times Was Thanked 1,183 Times in 357 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 79 Times	Fertilizer questions I don't have access to a local source of Banana fertilizer. I have citrus and avocado fertilizer 12-5-8. What could I mix in to make this a nice blend for my bananas? Or, is the 12-5-8 o.k.? What is the ideal N-P-K ratio? Your feedback is greatly appreciated! Andrew __________________ Andrew

08-19-2008, 12:22 AM	#2 (permalink)
Lagniappe Lagniappe's Photo Gallery Find me on the map! Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 2,111 BananaBucks : 319,651 Feedback: 22 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1,378 Times Was Thanked 1,402 Times in 558 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 535 Times	Re: Fertilizer questions Here's a link that Bananaman88 posted in another thread : http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/nelsons/...management.pdf In it 13-3-37 is used along with other things . I wonder what the members with all the bunches this year are using ?

08-19-2008, 12:38 AM	#3 (permalink)
enigma99a enigma99a's Photo Gallery Location: Rocklin, CA Find me on the map! Zone: 9b+ Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 476 BananaBucks : 142,721 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 103 Times Was Thanked 277 Times in 129 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2 Times	Re: Fertilizer questions You should be shooting for 9-3-27, but 16-16-16 is working good for me. However I have no hands yet so I can't really speak Anyway, I think either or is fine, however the optimum is low in phosphorus, and 12-5-8 doesn't quite have the potassium they need. But it's probably still better than nothing. __________________ Average January Low: 40°F, Average August High: 95°F Typical Low Each Winter: 28-30°F, Typical High Each Summer: 108-110°F, Annual Precipitation: 22 inches Last edited by enigma99a : 08-19-2008 at 12:45 AM.

08-19-2008, 12:53 AM	#5 (permalink)
Richard un-Retired Richard's Photo Gallery Location: Vista, CA Find me on the map! Zone: USDA 10b Name: Richard Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 9,674 BananaBucks : 994,995 Feedback: 9 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,636 Times Was Thanked 12,537 Times in 4,719 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1,685 Times	Re: Fertilizer questions To get a commercial-size crop, a banana plant needs 1 lb of Nitrogen and 1.5 lbs of Potash in the one year period ending with the bloom. It needs very little phosphorus, and it will ignore excess phosphorus. Now your soil might already have these elements in abundance, or perhaps the plants growing there have used them up. Either test the soil or start applying fertilizer. It is helpful to know that the N-P-K on fertilizer labels is percentage by weight, regardless of whether it is liquid or solid. For example, a 9-3-27 fertilizer is 9% Nitrogen by weight. For this fertilizer, you need to apply 1 lb divided by 9% = 11 lbs of it over the one year period. A better ratio for bananas is 20-5-30 water-soluble fertilizer -- soon to be appearing in my online store, Plants That Produce. __________________ Back in business at plantsthatproduce.com

08-19-2008, 03:33 AM	#6 (permalink)
Simply Bananas Formerly known as porkpi Simply Bananas's Photo Gallery Location: James Island SC Find me on the map! Zone: 8b-9a Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 854 BananaBucks : 413,749 Feedback: 2 / 100% Said "Thanks" 478 Times Was Thanked 1,192 Times in 335 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 458 Times	Re: Fertilizer questions I use 12-2-14. __________________ Afterall...doesn't everyone want a bigger Banana? Our Banana Videos On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCii..._p_tJVXZOHAdRA

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08-19-2008, 04:00 AM	#7 (permalink)
asacomm asacomm's Photo Gallery Find me on the map! Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 786 BananaBucks : 651,343 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 225 Times Was Thanked 598 Times in 209 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Fertilizer questions Here in zone9b, I have used 8-8-8, but for better harvest, I began to use 10-10-10 fertilizer. I believe this works well.

08-19-2008, 09:10 AM	#8 (permalink)
Lagniappe Lagniappe's Photo Gallery Find me on the map! Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 2,111 BananaBucks : 319,651 Feedback: 22 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1,378 Times Was Thanked 1,402 Times in 558 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 535 Times	Re: Fertilizer questions Forgot to mention that I fertilized once ,about a month ago,and used 13-13-13 because it was cheap and easy to get . In previous years I used all likes of fertilizers and tea and sprayed liquid fertilizer each week .

08-19-2008, 09:35 AM	#9 (permalink)
Magilla Gorilla Magilla Gorilla's Photo Gallery Location: Holualoa, HI Find me on the map! Zone: 10 Name: Andrew Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 727 BananaBucks : 290,577 Feedback: 6 / 100% Said "Thanks" 612 Times Was Thanked 1,183 Times in 357 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 79 Times	Re: Fertilizer questions Thanks for all the helpful information! One last question: Is it o.k. to fertilize when my plants are in bloom? Thank you, Andrew __________________ Andrew

08-20-2008, 11:17 PM	#11 (permalink)
Chironex The causasian Asian! Chironex's Photo Gallery Location: Jakarta, Indonesia Find me on the map! Zone: I have no idea Name: Scot Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 2,788 BananaBucks : 183,785 Feedback: 9 / 100% Said "Thanks" 4,544 Times Was Thanked 1,406 Times in 808 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 609 Times	Re: Fertilizer questions Richard, I like your website! Waiting for your special fertilizer made just for bananas. I am using Banana Fuel right now. I got it from one of the eBay vendors. It is a 15-5-30 formula with essential minor elements. __________________ Scot

08-21-2008, 10:52 AM	#12 (permalink)
modenacart Senior Member modenacart's Photo Gallery Location: NC Find me on the map! Zone: 8 Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 475 BananaBucks : 119,398 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 26 Times Was Thanked 77 Times in 57 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Fertilizer questions I have used the 5 dollar bag of 10-10-10 from lowe putting on about a cup every two to three weeks and it has worked great. It may not be the "best" mixture, but the ones I have ferilized with it have done great. I think this is one of the things that you can spend as much much as you want.

08-21-2008, 12:13 PM	#14 (permalink)
modenacart Senior Member modenacart's Photo Gallery Location: NC Find me on the map! Zone: 8 Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 475 BananaBucks : 119,398 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 26 Times Was Thanked 77 Times in 57 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Fertilizer questions It was a 40 lb bag. I believe it was where all the fertilizer for the lawns were where the mulch is. I doubt it has any minors.

08-21-2008, 12:16 PM	#15 (permalink)
modenacart Senior Member modenacart's Photo Gallery Location: NC Find me on the map! Zone: 8 Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 475 BananaBucks : 119,398 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 26 Times Was Thanked 77 Times in 57 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Fertilizer questions I checked the lowes website but it wasn't on it. You might have to check out your local store to see if they have it. I bought it last year so I suspect the price may have gone up a few dollars too because of gas prices.

08-22-2008, 01:46 AM	#17 (permalink)
harveyc Been nuts, gone bananas harveyc's Photo Gallery Location: Isleton, Calif Find me on the map! Zone: 9b Name: Harvey Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 5,130 BananaBucks : 471,874 Feedback: 5 / 100% Said "Thanks" 6,050 Times Was Thanked 4,493 Times in 1,906 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1,785 Times	Re: Fertilizer questions FYI - In June 2007 I bought UN-32 (liquid 32-0-0) for $409/ton and in April 2008 it cost me $523/ton. It would be higher yet now because of higher oil prices. I use a little of that, and some steer manure, but put on quite a bit of KMag that cost about $.20/pound when I bought something like 800 pounds for Joe Real, Benny, and myself. My soil already is naturally fairly high in phosphorus. __________________

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