Bananas.org

Welcome to the Bananas.org forums.

You're currently viewing our message boards as a guest which gives you limited access to participate in discussions and access our other features such as our wiki and photo gallery. By joining our community, you'll have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload photos, and access many other special features. Registration is fast and simple, so please join our community today!

If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact us.

Go Back   Bananas.org > Banana Forum > Main Banana Discussion
Register Photo Gallery Classifieds Wiki Chat Map Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

Main Banana Discussion This is where we discuss our banana collections; tips on growing bananas, tips on harvesting bananas, sharing our banana photos and stories.


Members currently in the chatroom: 0
The most chatters online in one day was 17, 09-06-2009.
No one is currently using the chat.

Reply   Email this Page Email this Page
 
LinkBack Thread Tools
Old 03-03-2009, 03:33 PM   #1 (permalink)
un-Retired
 
Richard's Avatar
 
Location: Vista, CA
Zone: USDA 10b
Name: Richard
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 9,674
BananaBucks : 500,870
Feedback: 9 / 100%
Said "Thanks" 3,636 Times
Was Thanked 12,543 Times in 4,721 Posts
Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1,685 Times
Default How to succeed with TC's from AgriStarts

Several people are nervously awaiting the order of TC's from AgriStarts and other sources (see thread Agri-starts..). Some of these folks are wondering how to be successful with their new babies.

Generally, your goal is to increase the size of the corm to football (that's US football) size or larger -- and the rest will take care of itself. Of course, the devil is in the details ...

Now here's what one devil would do, but I'm hoping that the rest of you will also share your approaches too!

1. the temperature should not drop below 50 F (10 C).
2. the humidity should not drop below 50%.
3. the soil media should not be dry, nor soggy -- but magically in between.
4. the light should be filtered (50% shade cloth) from midday to evening.
5. "dope" your water with 1/4 tablespoon per gallon of a 10-20-30 or 10-30-20 water-soluble fertilizer for 2 to 4 weeks.
6. gently transplant to a larger pot after the TC shows signs of steady growth (possibly tiny growth) for 5 days.
7. wait 3 months or until the plant is rootbound (whichever is less) until transplanting again.
8. put the plant outdoors when the daily low temperature is above 50 F (10 C).
__________________
Back in business at plantsthatproduce.com
Richard is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To Richard

Join Bananas.org Today!

Are you a banana plant enthusiast? Then we hope you will join the community. You will gain access to post, create threads, private message, upload images, join groups and more.

Bananas.org is owned and operated by fellow banana plant enthusiasts. We strive to offer a non-commercial community to learn and share information. Receive all three issues from Volume 1 of Bananas Magazine with your membership:
   

Join Bananas.org Today! - Click Here


Sponsors

Old 03-03-2009, 03:56 PM   #2 (permalink)
Banned
 
Location: San Diego
Zone: 9-11
Name: Tony
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 18,429
BananaBucks : 938,485
Feedback: 8 / 100%
Said "Thanks" 3,210 Times
Was Thanked 20,591 Times in 7,760 Posts
Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2,716 Times
Default Re: How to succeed with TC's from AgriStarts

I know how important it is to have soil that does not hold to much moisture.
Any suggestion for a soil mix.
sunfish is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To sunfish
Said thanks:
Old 03-03-2009, 05:18 PM   #3 (permalink)
TANTALIZING TROPICALS
 
just j's Avatar
 
Location: shawano wisconsin
Zone: 4-5
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 471
BananaBucks : 63,170
Feedback: 2 / 100%
Said "Thanks" 252 Times
Was Thanked 129 Times in 91 Posts
Said "Welcome to Bananas" 71 Times
Send a message via MSN to just j
Default Re: How to succeed with TC's from AgriStarts

Quote:
Originally Posted by sunfish View Post
I know how important it is to have soil that does not hold to much moisture.
Any suggestion for a soil mix.
i always use the miracal grow brand potting mix it is the best draining soil i have seen and not too expensive around 8 bucks a big bag the little roots can grow real easy in it
just j is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To just j
Old 03-03-2009, 05:29 PM   #4 (permalink)
Ueberwinden
 
Ueberwinden's Avatar
 
Location: Florence, KY
Zone: 6
Name: Mike
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 246
BananaBucks : 46,600
Feedback: 0 / 0%
Said "Thanks" 23 Times
Was Thanked 158 Times in 86 Posts
Said "Welcome to Bananas" 6 Times
Send a message via Yahoo to Ueberwinden
Default Re: How to succeed with TC's from AgriStarts

Sunfish,

I used coco coir for all of the bananas that I just received from Agri-Starts. A brick should fill 3 one gallon pots and a block should fill 29 gallon pots. You expect to pay about $2.50- $3.00 for a brick and a block is about $12.00.

Here it just a little bit of info on Coir

Eco Friendly CoCo Coir Peat

CoCo Coir Peat is a multi-purpose soil conditioner and growing medium. It is consistent and uniform in texture. It is a completely homogenous material composed of millions of capillary micro-sponges, that absorb and hold up to eight times it's own weight in water. The natural pH of 5.7 to 6.5, plus an unusually high Cation Exchange Capacity - and 27% of Easily Available Water assures that coir will hold and release nutrients in solution over extended periods without rewatering.


CoCo Coir Peat is a proven natural alternative to mined peat moss, therefore using it helps slow down peat extraction from environmentally sensitive swamps world wide. Used as a growing medium/potting medium CoCo Coir Peat outperforms most of the popular brands of Peat and Sphagnum Peats.

Healthy root growth is easy with CoCo Coir Peat 100% natural organic coir. Derived from the husk of the coconut, it is an excellent growing medium for both commercial and home gardening applications. The Hydroponic and Horticulture Industries have observed that plants grown with the aid of coir develop larger roots, stems and blooms. This is because unlike ordinary soil, which is usually compacted, CoCo Coir Peat provides more breathing space and aeration for plant roots, resulting in better growth

CoCo Coir Peat can retain moisture up to nine times its own volume while maintaining excellent air filled porosity, providing vital oxygen to the roots and soil. It's fibrous and sponge-like structure is ideal for any soil condition, whether breaking up the heaviest of clay soils or retaining moisture in sandy soils. It is by far the most efficient and economical way to rehabilitate degraded soils without the risk of contamination. CoCo Coir Peat has a naturally high lignin content which encourages favorable micro-organisms around the root zone. Having a slow degradation rate, it conditions the soil and promotes the development of an optimum pH level. CoCo Coir peat has been universally accepted as an excellent plant growth substrate as well as a soil additive

CoCo Coir Peat is the future of growing mediums and will last three times as long as Peat Moss and Sphagnum Moss. CoCo Coir Peat is hydrophilic and will re-wet easily without the use of chemical wetting agents and is capable of holding and releasing nutrients

I use coco coir in 75+% of all I grow, and as I said I just received 2 trays of bananas last week and all 144 of them are in coir right now. I use coir for my plumeria, and Bougainvillea, and Brugmansia.

Michael
__________________
White Horticulture
Rare, Tropical, Unique
Ueberwinden is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To Ueberwinden
Said thanks:
Old 03-03-2009, 05:53 PM   #5 (permalink)
Senior Member
 
Kylie2x's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,225
BananaBucks : 113,464
Feedback: 23 / 100%
Said "Thanks" 313 Times
Was Thanked 269 Times in 165 Posts
Said "Welcome to Bananas" 160 Times
Default Re: How to succeed with TC's from AgriStarts

Richard your conditions sound on the money to me..
Micheal there is no way you would ever find cocoa coir here..unless it was a basket liner..LOL . I wish I could tho! GREAT Info!!.. Stuck a package in the mail for you today!
I use alot of perlite..for a starter or Winter mix.. I believe the key is to not over water .
Kylie
Kylie2x is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To Kylie2x
Sponsors

Old 03-03-2009, 06:47 PM   #6 (permalink)
un-Retired
 
Richard's Avatar
 
Location: Vista, CA
Zone: USDA 10b
Name: Richard
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 9,674
BananaBucks : 500,870
Feedback: 9 / 100%
Said "Thanks" 3,636 Times
Was Thanked 12,543 Times in 4,721 Posts
Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1,685 Times
Default Re: How to succeed with TC's from AgriStarts

Here is a general article on growing plants in pots.
PTP_2009_03_Pot_Culture
For something more specific to bananas, you'll have to read the BANANA QUARTERLY !!
__________________
Back in business at plantsthatproduce.com
Richard is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To Richard
Old 03-03-2009, 09:05 PM   #7 (permalink)
Ueberwinden
 
Ueberwinden's Avatar
 
Location: Florence, KY
Zone: 6
Name: Mike
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 246
BananaBucks : 46,600
Feedback: 0 / 0%
Said "Thanks" 23 Times
Was Thanked 158 Times in 86 Posts
Said "Welcome to Bananas" 6 Times
Send a message via Yahoo to Ueberwinden
Default Re: How to succeed with TC's from AgriStarts

Kylie,

Thanks for the package, I will give it a try and see what we can do. The Brugs I sold you last summer were grown in coco coir. I like to use it when I root my brugs because in warm conditions you can take a hose and really soak the coir daily, and with the air to water ration possible with coir I have very strong roots very quickly. I have never had one rot to date in coir. I'm a firm believer in it. I find it is also helpful because I ship plants all over the U.S. (as you know), last year I had a banana order to Arizona (Yikes Arizona). When I was working with the USDA to prepare this shipment, the fact that I had grown them in coco Coir and not soil allowed to me ship this order quickly. (only a phyto and proper markings were required) So it has it's advantages, and not many disadvantages that I know of.

Michael
__________________
White Horticulture
Rare, Tropical, Unique
Ueberwinden is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To Ueberwinden
Said thanks:
Old 03-03-2009, 10:01 PM   #8 (permalink)
 
Location: Southern Illinois
Zone: 6-7
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 46
BananaBucks : 7,696
Feedback: 1 / 100%
Said "Thanks" 2 Times
Was Thanked 17 Times in 14 Posts
Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2 Times
Default Re: How to succeed with TC's from AgriStarts

Can't find coco coir locally. Any idea where I can purchase this from and is one brand better than another.
hatfam is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To hatfam
Old 03-03-2009, 10:09 PM   #9 (permalink)
tropical nut
 
Zone: 5
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,115
BananaBucks : 336,213
Feedback: 1 / 100%
Said "Thanks" 2,946 Times
Was Thanked 2,510 Times in 1,203 Posts
Said "Welcome to Bananas" 69 Times
Default Re: How to succeed with TC's from AgriStarts

I use the M.G. potting mix also. I add perlite & some vermiculite to it for extra drainage. My nanas love it.
I think I will get big bags of peat, mix with perlite, vermiculite & composted manure for next potting & for inground planting this summer. It will be cheaper than MG.

Mike, where do you get your coir?
__________________
Got a lite?
Patty




____
Patty in Wisc has sadly passed away 9/05/11. We will miss you Patty.
Patty in Wisc is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To Patty in Wisc
Old 03-03-2009, 10:23 PM   #10 (permalink)
Banned
 
Location: San Diego
Zone: 9-11
Name: Tony
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 18,429
BananaBucks : 938,485
Feedback: 8 / 100%
Said "Thanks" 3,210 Times
Was Thanked 20,591 Times in 7,760 Posts
Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2,716 Times
Default Re: How to succeed with TC's from AgriStarts

Try www.plantsthatproduce.com
sunfish is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To sunfish
Said thanks:
Old 03-03-2009, 10:46 PM   #11 (permalink)
Ueberwinden
 
Ueberwinden's Avatar
 
Location: Florence, KY
Zone: 6
Name: Mike
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 246
BananaBucks : 46,600
Feedback: 0 / 0%
Said "Thanks" 23 Times
Was Thanked 158 Times in 86 Posts
Said "Welcome to Bananas" 6 Times
Send a message via Yahoo to Ueberwinden
Default Re: How to succeed with TC's from AgriStarts

Patty/Hatfam,

You can purchase it from hydroponic shops. I also sell it, but since I potted up all of my bananas in coir I used my last 5 bricks and I am out. If you are interested I should have more coming. I think the bricks sell for $2.59 or $2.79 each and I can price the blocks if you want (I haven't updated this product recently the price really doesn't change much). I don't like to promote myself on the forum (I don't think that is proper) so if you would like to send me a PM I can either give you my phone number or an email address.

Michael
__________________
White Horticulture
Rare, Tropical, Unique
Ueberwinden is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To Ueberwinden
Old 03-03-2009, 11:24 PM   #12 (permalink)
 
r3tic's Avatar
 
Location: Drexel Hill, PA
Zone: 7-8
Name: Dave
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 216
BananaBucks : 45,289
Feedback: 2 / 100%
Said "Thanks" 531 Times
Was Thanked 123 Times in 71 Posts
Said "Welcome to Bananas" 306 Times
Default Re: How to succeed with TC's from AgriStarts

You can go to most pet stores and look for a product called Bed-a-Beast. There are a couple of other brands, it's used as a cage substrate. Same stuff, different name.
__________________
Click for Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania Forecast
r3tic is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To r3tic
Old 03-04-2009, 09:50 AM   #13 (permalink)
Banned
 
Location: San Diego
Zone: 9-11
Name: Tony
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 18,429
BananaBucks : 938,485
Feedback: 8 / 100%
Said "Thanks" 3,210 Times
Was Thanked 20,591 Times in 7,760 Posts
Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2,716 Times
Default Re: How to succeed with TC's from AgriStarts

Coir America 5 Kg Coco Bail


Coir America 5 Kg Coco Bail Expands to 65 Liters

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Price: $ 9.95
sunfish is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To sunfish
Old 03-04-2009, 10:08 AM   #14 (permalink)
un-Retired
 
Richard's Avatar
 
Location: Vista, CA
Zone: USDA 10b
Name: Richard
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 9,674
BananaBucks : 500,870
Feedback: 9 / 100%
Said "Thanks" 3,636 Times
Was Thanked 12,543 Times in 4,721 Posts
Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1,685 Times
Default Re: How to succeed with TC's from AgriStarts

Crop Production Services has Coir bricks by the pallet for quite a bit less.
__________________
Back in business at plantsthatproduce.com
Richard is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To Richard
Old 03-04-2009, 03:17 PM   #15 (permalink)
 
Location: Southern Illinois
Zone: 6-7
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 46
BananaBucks : 7,696
Feedback: 1 / 100%
Said "Thanks" 2 Times
Was Thanked 17 Times in 14 Posts
Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2 Times
Default Re: How to succeed with TC's from AgriStarts

Quote:
Originally Posted by Richard View Post
I can buy bricks of Coir by the pallet. I ran out last year but could order more. Last year I was charging $5 a-piece ... it has probably increased a bit. Here is the description: http://www.plantsthatproduce.com/pro...dium_coir.html

Is this interesting to anyone?
I looked there first and saw it was out of stock. I could use some.
hatfam is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To hatfam
Old 03-04-2009, 03:43 PM   #16 (permalink)
 
buzzwinder's Avatar
 
Location: Loves Park, Il.
Zone: 5
Name: Bill
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 871
BananaBucks : 11,803
Feedback: 3 / 100%
Said "Thanks" 1,043 Times
Was Thanked 846 Times in 354 Posts
Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1,155 Times
Send a message via Yahoo to buzzwinder
Default Re: How to succeed with TC's from AgriStarts

I got ten of these Bricks at a local hydrponics shop last summer for $2.50 each.

http://www.shamanshop.net/store/imag...J/J_714065.jpg
__________________
Click for Loves Park, Illinois Forecast

Bill for my friend
buzzwinder is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To buzzwinder

Join Bananas.org Today!

Are you a banana plant enthusiast? Then we hope you will join the community. You will gain access to post, create threads, private message, upload images, join groups and more.

Bananas.org is owned and operated by fellow banana plant enthusiasts. We strive to offer a non-commercial community to learn and share information. Receive all three issues from Volume 1 of Bananas Magazine with your membership:
   

Join Bananas.org Today! - Click Here


Sponsors

Old 03-04-2009, 05:36 PM   #17 (permalink)
Bob
Orang Puteh
 
Bob's Avatar
 
Location: Washington Twp N.J.
Zone: 6a
Name: bob
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,528
BananaBucks : 205,035
Feedback: 12 / 100%
Said "Thanks" 9,537 Times
Was Thanked 4,058 Times in 1,694 Posts
Said "Welcome to Bananas" 565 Times
Hiya Re: How to succeed with TC's from AgriStarts

A note for all using miracle grow potting soil. DON'T USE THE ORGANIC . I killed my AE AE trying to baby it with "BETTER" soil. It held way too much water. ( I think it may have been milorganite........yuck). Although I do 99+% organic culture , I've had great success using the "reg" miracle grow highly ammended with(perlite, bark chips , sand). Cant give ratio just do it by eye till you know it'll be well drained.............Bob
__________________
Click for Morris Plains, New Jersey Forecast
Bob is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To Bob
Old 03-04-2009, 07:04 PM   #18 (permalink)
Metal Nanners!!
 
alpha010's Avatar
 
Location: Mineral Ridge, Ohio
Zone: 6 on arborday 5b on USDA
Name: Bob aka Shaggy
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 470
BananaBucks : 136,113
Feedback: 0 / 0%
Said "Thanks" 121 Times
Was Thanked 238 Times in 148 Posts
Said "Welcome to Bananas" 11 Times
Send a message via Yahoo to alpha010
Default Re: How to succeed with TC's from AgriStarts

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob View Post
A note for all using miracle grow potting soil. DON'T USE THE ORGANIC . I killed my AE AE trying to baby it with "BETTER" soil. It held way too much water. ( I think it may have been milorganite........yuck). Although I do 99+% organic culture , I've had great success using the "reg" miracle grow highly ammended with(perlite, bark chips , sand). Cant give ratio just do it by eye till you know it'll be well drained.............Bob
I use the MG organic and mix it with standard MG potting and mix in some perlite and I have never (yet) had a problem with it no matter what plant I used it on. Matter of fact my Dwarf Cav is sitting in MG organic and MG potting. Never tried the Milogranite, even tho i was eyeballing it at Wally-World yesterday, I'm not gonna change whats working for me so far. Thanks for the heads up tho.
bob
__________________
LOL! My house doesnt exist on the member map!
Click for Mineral Ridge, Ohio Forecast

Get a little Love in your life. Jump in a Mosh Pit! The only place where every emotion one person can feel will join together and express all at once.
alpha010 is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To alpha010
Said thanks:
Old 03-04-2009, 07:30 PM   #19 (permalink)
 
buzzwinder's Avatar
 
Location: Loves Park, Il.
Zone: 5
Name: Bill
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 871
BananaBucks : 11,803
Feedback: 3 / 100%
Said "Thanks" 1,043 Times
Was Thanked 846 Times in 354 Posts
Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1,155 Times
Send a message via Yahoo to buzzwinder
Default Re: How to succeed with TC's from AgriStarts

Milorganite is not a potting soil, it is a high Nitrogen fertilzer generally used as on golf courses, and lawns, it is made from processed waste from Millwaukee Wisc. Milorganite About
__________________
Click for Loves Park, Illinois Forecast

Bill for my friend
buzzwinder is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To buzzwinder
Old 03-04-2009, 09:05 PM   #20 (permalink)
un-Retired
 
Richard's Avatar
 
Location: Vista, CA
Zone: USDA 10b
Name: Richard
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 9,674
BananaBucks : 500,870
Feedback: 9 / 100%
Said "Thanks" 3,636 Times
Was Thanked 12,543 Times in 4,721 Posts
Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1,685 Times
Default Re: How to succeed with TC's from AgriStarts

Quote:
Originally Posted by buzzwinder View Post
I got ten of these Bricks at a local hydrponics shop last summer for $2.50 each.

http://www.shamanshop.net/store/imag...J/J_714065.jpg
Yes, those are the 24 ounce, 8" X 4" X 2.25" bricks. The bricks I'm referring to are 12" x 12" x 5" and weigh 11 lbs. The wholesale price for a pallet of 180 these in San Diego CA is $660.

Quote:
Originally Posted by hatfam View Post
I looked there first (plantsthatproduce.com) and saw it was out of stock. I could use some.
True, I am currently out of stock and reluctant to purchase another pallet in the present economic environment.
__________________
Back in business at plantsthatproduce.com
Richard is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To Richard
Sponsors

Reply   Email this Page Email this Page






Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:23 AM.





All content © Bananas.org & the respective author.