Trebol284

Hello everyone question I just check the soil in my banana tree there in a 6” pot I just check the Soil PH and it’s marking PH of 8 the soil that i am using is palm and cactus soil mix with cow manure and compost all mix if anyone could tell me how to lower the soil PH or a better mixture of soil that I could mix at home for better drainage I will definitely appreciate thanks again hope everyone has a great day

edwmax

The Ph of the potting soil should be neutral (ie: 7). So the Ph of the cow manure & compost must have been the culprit that raise the Ph of the mix. Check these and the bagged soil. Thus too much cow manure & compost was put into the mix.

For a 6" pot only 1 or 2 tablespoons of fertilizer (10-10-10 or similar) is needed for about 3 months. So for small nana plants in small pots, I feel it is better to use a commercial soil mix & perlite mixed at 5o%/50%.

Anyway to answer your question see this reference: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sour...G_kB9xS6Ufgcpq

__________________

Trebol284

Thans great news it make sense wow I did not think of that ok thanks you so much one more thing about commercial soil mix any In particular I am new to this I always get confused about different soil I got some perlite at home

Trebol284

edwmax thank you I really appreciate it

edwmax

Cow manure & compost are used for amending soil and their fertilizer value. Older outside plants are much more forgiving than young potted plants when these are over applied in the native soil. Store bought cow manure & compost will have an analysis value on the bags, but 'home made' will not. So one needs some experience in using these and testing the Ph of 'home made'.

Commercial potting soil does not need amending (other than perlite for bananas) and it may or may not have fertilizer already in the mix. My preference is not to mix fertilizer in to the soil mix but add it at the top of the pot. Additional fertilizer can always be given when watering or by folar spray if needed. However, a banana plant in a 6" pot should be repotted to a larger pot or outside by the time it uses up the nutrients in the 6" pot.

__________________

Blacksmoke

What is your method of checking the soils pH?

Runoff water testing or a soil probe,just wondering?

Trebol284

Blacksmoke I use a ph and moisture reader it’s a little Device with two sticks and you Insert in the ground

a.hulva@coxinet.net

In my humble opinion, a 6” pot is way too small for anything.
1. I have never heard of a even remotely viable soil with a pH 8. It’s hard to believe you have a livid plant.
2. A Mickey Mouse pH tester is worthless. I only us my local university county extension office for testing soil for anything. They are the only true experts.
3. Preparing the soil for the test is very important. If your only testing a 6” pot, pour all moist soil you can into a bucket throughly mix then place at least a cup full into a ziplock bag.
Regardless like ED said replace with a poring mix with perlite. Let us the results of the test.
Regards

Trebol284

Thanks hulva I will do that question can you advise me and what type of soil from a big store I got home depot and Lowe’s by me I got perlite at home or do you have a soil blend that you could pass over I will appreciate it and thanks for your help

edwmax

Any of the low cost soilless mixes will do. I use the Dollar General mixes. ... Then there are Brand Name mixes.

__________________