mcvfd12

Hi everyone, super excited I found this forum! I just purchased a banana tree and I have so many questions. Here is a link to exactly what I purchased..

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I live in northwestern ohio, and this will be sitting right by my patio door until it gets warm out again. I guess i'd like to know what exactly I can do for it immediately and what to expect from it. Do I let this in it's little 4" pot for a week then plant it in something larger? What size pot should I get for the next step? I have read that miracle grow soil is bad for it because it will retain too much water?

I'm not really sure how exactly to care for it. There was some banana nutrient sold by like 2 pounds on amazon.

I just need to know to keep this thing alive.

Will this actually eventually produce fruit? I can't for the life of me come up with a picture online of something like this with actual fruit on it.

Any help at all would be greatfully appreciated!

edwmax

Bananas are heavy feeders on nitrogen and potassium. This what the 'banana food' is or should be. I don't use it. For plants this small, general fertilizers (aka: 10-10-10 or similar) will more the supply the needed nutrients. ... It is hard to over water or over fertilize bananas if the plant is in well drained soil.

I would re-pot to an 8 inch pot (not too heavy to move round) with potting soil which usually includes slow release fertilizer. Then supplement the fertilizer every 10 to 14 days with a small amount of liquid (1/8 to 1/4 cup) fertilizer for a quick boost. Miracle Grow or similar is a high nitrogen fertilizer... Water if the top of the soil is dry. Depending on the soil mix, the amount water used will vary. If you see water running out of the pot bottom, then it is too much because the water is washing out fertilizer nutrients.

Next light ... Usually we don't know the lighting condition the plant was use to when acquiring a new plant. Bright direct sun light can burn a young plant. So, let the plant get bright light but not direct sun; not very long anyway. Then as new leaves grow slowly give more direct sun light as it hardens off and grows.

Good luck ... just tend to your BABY until it starts growing and becomes accustom to your location.

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mcvfd12

Are you saying to replant in an 8" pot as soon as I get it tomorrow, or should I let it in its tiny pot for a week or so? Just any potting soil like miracle grow brand? Then every 10-14 days I need to add some type of liquid fertilizer... brand recommendations? So when the top of the soil gets dry then water it... just not so much that it runs out of the bottom? I have no idea what I'm doing here obviously. I don't even know what type of pot to put this thing in.

mcvfd12

https://www.amazon.com/Fiskars-Inch-...22+flower++pot

Is this what I want?

cincinnana

Yep....a pot.

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edwmax

I understood you already had the plant. So you just bought it and pacing the floor awaiting for 'baby's' delivery. haha

Yes, let the baby banana stay in its pot for a couple of weeks to accustom it self to the new house environment. Then move to a bigger pot.

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edwmax

The problem with so of these type pots is that you cannot see when the water reservoir is full causing water to backup into the pot. If the pot will drain the excess water out, then good.

I suggest using a regular pot with open drain holes. Just put filler fabric in the bottom to keep in the soil. Put a saucer or small pan under the pot so you can see the water drain out. Add water when the top 1/2" of the soil is dry about 1/4 to 1/2 cup.

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edwmax

The potting soil with the plant should already have enough slow-release fertilizer for 3 or 4 months. Wait 3 or 4 weeks and you see new growth before giving additional fertilizer. A Miracle Grow liquid type is ok; mix per directions and give about 1/4 cup or little less. After 4 or 5 months you may need to add 1/4 cup of a slow release dry type general fertilizer to the top of the pot.

Young plants need nitrogen to grow the stalk and leaves; the plant needs leaves to grow the roots. Chicken & egg situation. A young banana plants does not need the 'banana food' type fertilizers. 'Banana Food' fertilizers are for mature plant ready to fruit. General type fertilizers (10-10-10; 5-10-15) work just fine for young growing plants in the ground

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