Los Angeles Planting: Container vs. Ground
 

Hi,

I just bought a Dwarf Cavendish. I am a little concerned about planting it in the ground because it can get cold (not too often, but it can get into the 40s), it gets hot as well in the summer (100s) and we have Santa Ana winds (and other winds sometimes). I am trying to decide if I should plant in a container (more control over weather) or in the ground. I suppose my question is: how much better is planting a banana plant in the ground? Is it so much better, that its worth the risk?

Thanks,
Ed

Re: Los Angeles Planting: Container vs. Ground
 

I'd say covering your plant with frost cloth to protect from cold weather is easier than moving around a giant 50+lb pot!

It will take the heat ok, just make sure it has enough water. A sprinkler on a timer will keep things cooled off just fine in the extreme 100+ heat.

And a frost cloth won't help as much if it dips below 40 for more than a couple days, of course me being the scientist I am, i'd just stick a little space heater underneath the frost cloth for prolonged cold protection!

Re: Los Angeles Planting: Container vs. Ground
 

Thanks so much for the reply but I guess I was more wondering how much greater is the benefit of planting in the ground versus in containers. If the results will be much better by planting in the ground and that's what I want to do. However if containers is just as good I don't mind moving and 100 pound pot in order to protect it. So it really boils down to how much better of a yield will I get by planting in the ground.

Re: Los Angeles Planting: Container vs. Ground
 

For me there is no comparison. My same aged bananas that are in ground are easily 4 to 5 times larger than the ones in pots. Even the ones in extremely large pots. They just love it in the ground for some reason.

Re: Los Angeles Planting: Container vs. Ground
 

Put it in the ground. Roots and corm will develop much better than anything in a container ever can.

Temperatures in the 40s F are not ideal for banana plants but will not kill them either. Same applies to temperatures in the 100s F. Being planted in the ground will outweigh the cons.
Frost cloth is very useful if temperatures drop below 32F. Where I live, occasionally we get morning temperatures below that, but it only kills the leaves of my banana plants. P-stems and corms are usually okay. To play it safe I use Agribon frost cloth on the smaller pups; solar bags or frost cloth bags on fruit bunches. The frost cloth comes in different thicknesses giving you cold protection from 4-6 degrees (Ag 19 and 30) all the way up to 24 F (Ag 50 or Ag 70).
Wind protection is a different story ( have to start a different thread about this weeks casualties in my yard :( )and unfortunately I have not found a solution for that yet other than focusing on a healthy root and corm system of the plant. I do like different banana varieties, but I know some people here in Southern California with limited space and fear of our Santa Ana winds who only grow dwarf plants like the dwarf Brazilian. Overall I think we are very lucky to be able to grow nice banana plants in the ground here in Southern California.

Re: Los Angeles Planting: Container vs. Ground
 

Wow, great info, thank you! How deep and wide can I expect a dwarf cavendish to get in the ground?

Re: Los Angeles Planting: Container vs. Ground
 

I'm in zone 8b or 9-ish and I've never had good luck with Dwarf Cavendish due to the cold. But some of the tastiest bananas I've tried were Dwarf Cavendish in Bermuda. But leaving the banana in the pot is like leaving a 69 Camaro in the garage. If the DC doesn't work out for you I would think about Raja-Puri or Dwarf Namwah. Hope this helps.
Bo

Re: Los Angeles Planting: Container vs. Ground
 

Depends on your planting area. I'd allow a 4' x 4' area excavated about 18" deep and with good drainage. If necessary, create a raised bed. For soil use 1/2 native mixed with 1/2 fine-grained cured compost -- or simply one of the Kellogg's soil amendments available in the western US states (N-Rich, etc.) will do well. Transplant from 5-gallon pot when base to top (including unfurled cigar leaf) is over 2 feet. Water throughly once per week during spring and fall, every 10 days in winter (unless heavy rain) and twice per week during spells of 90+ heat. Feed regularly. At maturity, expect a 10" to 12" diameter base and psuedo stem height of 6' or so, and leaves extending 5' from the plant in all directions.

Here's a guide I wrote awhile back. Please salt to taste:
Banana Cultivation In Non-Tropical Climates

Re: Los Angeles Planting: Container vs. Ground
 

Definitely in the ground.

Before you invest much effort into this plant, I'd suggest you consider some of the other varieties that Crazy Banana and Hydroid have mentioned instead. The Cavendish varieties really don't like Santa Ana conditions. They'll get through it, but they look terrible afterwards. Their leaves cook with that combination of hot, windy days with very low humidity, and cool dry nights. And you can always buy Cavendish at the grocery store.