in ground vs container
 

So ive had plenty of struggle with moisture in the past. My questions is, does watering in ground have to be the same amount as in a pot? Do I have to wait for it to be completely dry before watering again while its in the ground?

Thanks guys!

Re: in ground vs container
 

Bananas need regualr watering to sustain the large tropical leaves and produce sweet tasty fruit. You should expect to water slowly and deeply every 2 or 3 days during the warmer months. A test when to water is when the top 1/2-1 inch of soil is dry. If you planted in a shady spot or one that tends to stay wet for some other reason you may have water less. Bananas are suspectable to root rot and don't like continually wet soil or standing water, though this should only be a concern during the winter as during the midst of summer it is important that you water and don't be afraid to do so as the result would be equally as bad. Banana plants stop growing during the cooler months when temperatures stay below 50's so wont need much water. Don't take this to mean that you let the plant just dry out, it just means that between watering every couple of weeks and our normal winter rains your plant should survive just fine.

Re: in ground vs container
 

Still going on???

Re: in ground vs container
 

ive been battling with it still. I have a apple banana pup that I planted in a container. I thought I had well draining soil for it. 1/3 peat moss, 1/3 perlite, 1/3 sandy soil. I watered it once every other day or so when the top soil was dry or about an inch down. The pup started to become mushy and brown at the base so I assumed it was over watering. I since have bought a moisture meter and now I wont add water until it is completely dry. It seems my soil retains a ton of moisture at about 2 inches below the surface for some reason.

Re: in ground vs container
 

Different soils make a lot of difference. Just make sure you have enough holes in the bottom so when you water the excess can escape the pot.
Bananas need a ton of water but if the soil gets and stays soggy you will get root rot.
I use a mixture of a good potting soil coconut coir and perlite. This holds moisture well so you may go a few days before watering is needed. I water until you see it draining out of the bottom holes this assures me that the entire container I’d watered and also that oxygen has been carried to the roots. It would be better to wait a few more days without watering and checking an inch or two below the surface to see if it is dry, dry, dry. Then completely pour the water to it until it runs out the bottom. If it does not run out quickly you may want to put something in the bottom of the container such as big rocks, perlite the huge ones or even packaging peanuts. This will assure you the holes don’t get clogged and water is retained in the pot.

De

Re: in ground vs container
 

So i've got plants indoors and have issues with bugs, any way to deal with that? It's not just the nanners but my other potted plants.
Honestly I would rather not grow indoors at all but don't have much choice.

Re: in ground vs container
 

I think the moisture meter will help a ton in the future. What i used to think was dry is actually showing moisture. Ill try the rocks at the bottom to see if it helps. The mix im using now will show moisture even after 5 or 6 days sitting in the sun.

Re: in ground vs container
 

Bugs are always a problem. Depending on what bugs will probably depend on the ways of eradicating them. For example Fungas gnats - 1 part 3% hydrogen peroxide with 4 parts water mixed together when you water your plants. Insecticidal soap and Neem oil works on a wide variety of critters. Thrips an insecticide called Spinosad works well. Diatomaceous Earth sprinkled on the soil or mixed with water is also effective on quite a few insects.
Just remember all insecticides are hazardous in one way or another just some worse than others.

Re: in ground vs container
 

As far as container soil I use a mixture of Fox Farm Happy Frog potting soil mixed with Black Kow compost and Promix HPCC ( contains coconut coir ) if not available Promix HP. If you use this do not add fertilizer for at least a month because both the Happy Frog and Black Kow will provide nutrients.

Re: in ground vs container
 

Bugs were another huge issue for me. I used 7dust to begin with which help with the grass hoppers chewing the leaves. This didn't do anything for the bettles or whatever they were that were burrowing under the soil. I switched to neem oil which seems to help a lot more. I haven't been able to figure out how to stop the lizards that are getting underneath the soil in the pots. Its an ongoing battle but I think now that I have the watering down I can just focus on pest control. For now just spraying thoroughly with neem oil once a week.

Re: in ground vs container
 

Any idea of a good one? I read the reviews of most and they don't seem accurate.

Re: in ground vs container
 

I got the 3 way meter from lowes. measaures light ph and moisture. I wouldn't rely on the other two but moisture works good on it. its also the only one ive tried.