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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. |
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03-03-2009, 03:33 PM | #1 (permalink) |
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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).
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03-03-2009, 03:56 PM | #2 (permalink) |
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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. |
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03-03-2009, 05:18 PM | #3 (permalink) |
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Re: How to succeed with TC's from AgriStarts
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
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03-03-2009, 05:29 PM | #4 (permalink) |
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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
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03-03-2009, 05:53 PM | #5 (permalink) |
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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 |
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03-03-2009, 06:47 PM | #6 (permalink) |
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Re: How to succeed with TC's from AgriStarts
Here is a general article on growing plants in pots.
PTP_2009_03_Pot_CultureFor something more specific to bananas, you'll have to read the BANANA QUARTERLY !!
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03-03-2009, 09:05 PM | #7 (permalink) |
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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
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03-03-2009, 10:01 PM | #8 (permalink) |
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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.
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03-03-2009, 10:09 PM | #9 (permalink) |
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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?
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03-03-2009, 10:23 PM | #10 (permalink) |
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Re: How to succeed with TC's from AgriStarts
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03-03-2009, 10:46 PM | #11 (permalink) |
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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
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03-03-2009, 11:24 PM | #12 (permalink) |
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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.
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03-04-2009, 09:50 AM | #13 (permalink) |
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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 |
03-04-2009, 10:08 AM | #14 (permalink) |
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Re: How to succeed with TC's from AgriStarts
Crop Production Services has Coir bricks by the pallet for quite a bit less.
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03-04-2009, 03:17 PM | #15 (permalink) | |
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Re: How to succeed with TC's from AgriStarts
Quote:
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03-04-2009, 03:43 PM | #16 (permalink) |
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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 |
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03-04-2009, 05:36 PM | #17 (permalink) |
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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
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03-04-2009, 07:04 PM | #18 (permalink) | |
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Re: How to succeed with TC's from AgriStarts
Quote:
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03-04-2009, 07:30 PM | #19 (permalink) |
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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
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03-04-2009, 09:05 PM | #20 (permalink) | |
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Re: How to succeed with TC's from AgriStarts
Quote:
True, I am currently out of stock and reluctant to purchase another pallet in the present economic environment.
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