Help with my new Purchases
 

Hello folks,

I purchased the 2 red abyssinian bananas from an online retailer in Quebec, and they arrived here in Ottawa, Ontario Canada today. I have transplanted them into bigger pots, and the plan once it warms up, is to put one in a huge planter along the driveway and the other in the ground in the backyard.

Last day of frost in zone 5 here is May 15th ish. My questions as follows:

1. What should I feed them to get them bigger?

2. what is the watering scheme for them

3. digging up for winter process







cheers

Re: Help with my new Purchases
 

This may help,best I can do

Info: General Growing Information - Bananas Wiki

Re: Help with my new Purchases
 

3. Just dig them up before the first frost, don't remove the soil from
the corm and store it vertically in a not to cold place. Let it dry out
and mist the corm occasionally with water in the winter. If it is warm enough in the storage it probably keeps growing.
Note: Ensetes easily rot when stored in a cool place, a spot with room
temperature is the best.

Good luck.

Re: Help with my new Purchases
 

they look good! miracle-gro bloom is what I have been using for a year now. water every other day when there is no rain and it's hot. I've had most of mine in the ground since last week of april and no need to water with this rain we've been having.good luck ! oh and winter, what i have done for 2 years, dig them up bare root with soil. place them in a large container in the basement and water once a month.

Re: Help with my new Purchases
 

Hello Matt,

Thanks for the tips. You said you've had yours in the ground since end April, what about the nightly frost/cold we've been having, doesn't that damage the banana?

Re: Help with my new Purchases
 

yeah the leaves died back to the leaf stem. there was 2 nights that damaged the leaves i think around april 29. other then that the p-stems are great and they are ready to go!

Re: Help with my new Purchases
 

This is my 2nd year with Ensete Ventricosum....I had HORRIBLE luck overwintering last year. I am Zone 8, so I'm going to simply leave mine in the ground this coming winter, but I'm going to put a chicken wire cage around them and fill with leaves. Keep the soil moist but not soggy while you still have them potted and don't feed 'til they're either in huge pots or in the ground, as they'll push deformed leaves. I read that they like a high nitrogen fertilizer and I'd throw that around the base of the Ensete and scatter it outward almost to where the leaf tips are so that the roots get plenty. They are HEAVY FEEDERS like any banana, so make sure they stay watered in without standing in water. While they're small, they like warm water...unlike a banana, they will SHUT DOWN growth if watered with cold water. I would use lukewarm water to take care of them 'til you get them in the ground. Below 55 degrees they won't grow, so keep them warm 'til last frost!!! Wish me luck with mine this year too!!

Re: Help with my new Purchases
 

if you can protect it and keep it in the ground go for it ! I have seen people do that with great success, good luck to you too mewdeeone.