Organic growing

billybanana · 06-29-2016, 03:18 AM

Hi. Just wondering if anyone can provide information about growing organic bananas. Here are some questions.....

1. From what I gather, banana cultivation is pesticide intensive. However, we see organic bananas in grocery stores everyday so what does growing organic on a medium-large scale entail? I have just started growing bananas organically as a hobby and am now thinking about doing it for business.

2. Which would be the best Cavendish like dessert variety to grow in tropical Africa?

3. Can fruit from synthetic banana cultivars (FHIA?) be classified organic when grown without pesticides/fungicides/herbicides/fertilizer?

Any help/information will be much appreciated.

Thanks.
Billy

Botanical_Bryce · 06-29-2016, 08:46 AM

Only GMO bananas would not be accepted as Organic. Sinve they are rare and not in public hands yet pretty much all available plants are organic. I know in Africa they use red spotted assassin bugs and similar for the organic control of rhino beatles and banana weavils.

billybanana · 06-30-2016, 02:47 AM

Thanks Botanical Bryce. Any idea which cultivar would be best suited for organic farming, fruit predominantly for the European market?

Botanical_Bryce · 06-30-2016, 08:29 AM

Sorry but I don't know. I would think something from the fhia series. You want flavor , weight, and disease resistence.

Kat2 · 06-30-2016, 09:29 AM

There are guidelines in place for growers making organic claims; researching those would be better than asking here or at any other forum on the internet. I don't use any pesticides on my bananas; I have found no need to do so. (I use Neem and/or dish soap on other plants I grow.)

Botanical_Bryce · 06-30-2016, 10:15 AM

Growing in Africa will be nothing like in Florida. Treating a backyard with neem and dishsoap is not comparable to large export plantation. His question is plenty valid for this forum since growers like PR Giants know cultivars and taste. He came to the right forum if certain people would chime in.

Botanical_Bryce · 06-30-2016, 10:22 AM

I began using and supporting this organization years ago.
I highly suggest reviewing the site and contacting them. They do have banana videos as well. If you wish to use assassin bugs I can help in that aspect.
https://www.echocommunity.org

Botanical_Bryce · 06-30-2016, 10:39 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4N-QLhXjjY

Botanical_Bryce · 06-30-2016, 10:44 AM

https://www.google.com/search?q=Afri...obile&ie=UTF-8

Kat2 · 06-30-2016, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Botanical_Bryce

Growing in Africa will be nothing like in Florida. Treating a backyard with neem and dishsoap is not comparable to large export plantation. His question is plenty valid for this forum since growers like PR Giants know cultivars and taste. He came to the right forum if certain people would chime in.

And growing in FL is nothing like gardening in MD or OH or any other place I've lived or visited. Holy cow! There are bugs here! Neem is recognized worldwide as an effective organic pest control; did you know you can actually grow a tree here in FL and harvest your own leaves? I don't know about soap being widely recognized for pest control but it's fairly easy to make and civilized people have a tendency to possess some.

sputinc7 · 06-30-2016, 11:09 AM

I don't have much trouble with bugs, but fungus is always an issue with any plant here. Not to mention it's just a sand dune with grass on it.

Botanical_Bryce · 06-30-2016, 01:13 PM

Most gardeners I have talk to have mixed emotions on neem. I found it generally useless. Volcanic and dioms have worked best but I found planting things that attract predators and bringing in spiders has pretty much wiped out all my pest issues. Once in a while I get a surprise but sending in the assassins solves the problem instantly. Ill post photos of the bug farm.

Kat2 · 06-30-2016, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Botanical_Bryce

Most gardeners I have talk to have mixed emotions on neem. I found it generally useless. Volcanic and dioms have worked best but I found planting things that attract predators and bringing in spiders has pretty much wiped out all my pest issues. Once in a while I get a surprise but sending in the assassins solves the problem instantly. Ill post photos of the bug farm.

I had an army of praying mantis when I lived in MD once I figured out what those creepy looking things in my jasmine that I'd been tossing for several years weren't some form of bagworm nest. (Burn those!)

My pest devouring machines chose to come to a garden in the heart of the city where I used nothing "chemical" other than a spray of Malathion every other year or so for the worms that infected my #(**#* apricot fruits (hate those--grew them for the ex who also didn't like them so shared with a couple who ate them and the pits--both lived into their 90s) and scale on my Euonymus. (Didn't use Neem then and soap just didn't cut it.)

I was warned that bugs would eat your plants to nothing in FL and they did when I tried to garden in Jacksonville. Here in Titusville I have a clean slate. Okay, I have a yard where nobody has cultivated plants, mowed seriously and "dropped what was trash rather than bothering to walk it to the can" for over 10 years and probably more like 50. Every time it rains, more treasures come to the surface...

On my virgin land I've decided to use Neem and a bit a of soap; so far it's working.

I topped the sand (not even black sand--white nothingness) with compost from the County which is not organic because heaven knows what is in the mix besides pieces of tile and iron/steel nuggets. But I use it because to "fix up" 1/3 an acre with the compost I could make would take more years than I have on this earth.

I'm beginning to get accustomed to growing in a zone with "soil" (I now love clay!) unlike any "dirt" I've ever experienced. This old dog is learning as she goes. I'm trialing a potentially super "grape/cherry" tomato grown from a nicely shaped but typically lousy FL tasting fruit I had at a local dinner. Amazingly the grow out tomatoes are deemed by not just me to be spectacular. Sweet with enough crunch. So far the plants are laughing at the hot weather. Winner? Not quite. They look like torpedos including a pronounced point. They don't resemble the parents plus some plants have 1" fruits and others 2". Equally tasty but looks are important I know. Fortunately here in FL I have an extra season to seek stability with my prolific experiment. And I have enough space to test.

I won't change your methods and you won't change mine as long as what we do works. Right?

I'll just keep using Neem and soap...if needed, I'll pick up some DE. Looking forward to pictures of your bug farm.

Botanical_Bryce · 06-30-2016, 02:26 PM

Assassin bugs. These are a colonizing species east to produce in bins.
https://scontent.ftpa1-2.fna.fbcdn.n...g=eyJpIjoidCJ9
We raise millipedes. Raise these in compost bins. We just got in 2000 of them.
https://scontent.ftpa1-2.fna.fbcdn.n...g=eyJpIjoidCJ9
These are discoids roaches. Native to Florida and can not climb out of bins. These are used for composting and live in the mulch. These invite birds that also eat other forms of insects.

https://scontent.ftpa1-2.fna.fbcdn.n...g=eyJpIjoidCJ9
We also have mantids, lady bugs, and solitary assassins. In the future I will start getting lacewings. This started as a bioligical and pet supply but I am turning it to agriculturl homestead supply as well. We also have native snakes and eggs hatching now. Great rodent control. This presently produces $50,000 to $70,000 per year. More people should try this and implement them.

Botanical_Bryce · 06-30-2016, 02:28 PM

This business is not mine. I am only the assistant.

Botanical_Bryce · 06-30-2016, 02:42 PM

Rodent control
https://scontent.ftpa1-2.fna.fbcdn.n...g=eyJpIjoidCJ9

06-29-2016, 03:18 AM	#1 (permalink)
billybanana Join Date: Jun 2016 Posts: 2 BananaBucks : 1,945 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 1 Times Was Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Organic growing Hi. Just wondering if anyone can provide information about growing organic bananas. Here are some questions..... 1. From what I gather, banana cultivation is pesticide intensive. However, we see organic bananas in grocery stores everyday so what does growing organic on a medium-large scale entail? I have just started growing bananas organically as a hobby and am now thinking about doing it for business. 2. Which would be the best Cavendish like dessert variety to grow in tropical Africa? 3. Can fruit from synthetic banana cultivars (FHIA?) be classified organic when grown without pesticides/fungicides/herbicides/fertilizer? Any help/information will be much appreciated. Thanks. Billy

06-29-2016, 08:46 AM	#2 (permalink)
Botanical_Bryce Location: Inverness, Florida Zone: 9a Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 881 BananaBucks : 85,235 Feedback: 4 / 100% Said "Thanks" 7 Times Was Thanked 1,459 Times in 636 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Organic growing Only GMO bananas would not be accepted as Organic. Sinve they are rare and not in public hands yet pretty much all available plants are organic. I know in Africa they use red spotted assassin bugs and similar for the organic control of rhino beatles and banana weavils.

06-30-2016, 02:47 AM	#3 (permalink)
billybanana Join Date: Jun 2016 Posts: 2 BananaBucks : 1,945 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 1 Times Was Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Organic growing Thanks Botanical Bryce. Any idea which cultivar would be best suited for organic farming, fruit predominantly for the European market?

06-30-2016, 08:29 AM	#4 (permalink)
Botanical_Bryce Location: Inverness, Florida Zone: 9a Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 881 BananaBucks : 85,235 Feedback: 4 / 100% Said "Thanks" 7 Times Was Thanked 1,459 Times in 636 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Organic growing Sorry but I don't know. I would think something from the fhia series. You want flavor , weight, and disease resistence.

06-30-2016, 09:29 AM	#5 (permalink)
Kat2 Location: Now nesting in Titusville, FL Zone: 10A or 9B ish. Like it matters? Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 2,153 BananaBucks : 268,974 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 2,921 Times Was Thanked 2,669 Times in 1,322 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 595 Times	Re: Organic growing There are guidelines in place for growers making organic claims; researching those would be better than asking here or at any other forum on the internet. I don't use any pesticides on my bananas; I have found no need to do so. (I use Neem and/or dish soap on other plants I grow.) __________________

Members currently in the chatroom: 0
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06-30-2016, 10:15 AM	#6 (permalink)
Botanical_Bryce Location: Inverness, Florida Zone: 9a Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 881 BananaBucks : 85,235 Feedback: 4 / 100% Said "Thanks" 7 Times Was Thanked 1,459 Times in 636 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Organic growing Growing in Africa will be nothing like in Florida. Treating a backyard with neem and dishsoap is not comparable to large export plantation. His question is plenty valid for this forum since growers like PR Giants know cultivars and taste. He came to the right forum if certain people would chime in.

06-30-2016, 10:22 AM	#7 (permalink)
Botanical_Bryce Location: Inverness, Florida Zone: 9a Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 881 BananaBucks : 85,235 Feedback: 4 / 100% Said "Thanks" 7 Times Was Thanked 1,459 Times in 636 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Organic growing I began using and supporting this organization years ago. I highly suggest reviewing the site and contacting them. They do have banana videos as well. If you wish to use assassin bugs I can help in that aspect. https://www.echocommunity.org

06-30-2016, 10:39 AM	#8 (permalink)
Botanical_Bryce Location: Inverness, Florida Zone: 9a Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 881 BananaBucks : 85,235 Feedback: 4 / 100% Said "Thanks" 7 Times Was Thanked 1,459 Times in 636 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Organic growing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4N-QLhXjjY

06-30-2016, 10:44 AM	#9 (permalink)
Botanical_Bryce Location: Inverness, Florida Zone: 9a Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 881 BananaBucks : 85,235 Feedback: 4 / 100% Said "Thanks" 7 Times Was Thanked 1,459 Times in 636 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Organic growing https://www.google.com/search?q=Afri...obile&ie=UTF-8

06-30-2016, 11:09 AM	#11 (permalink)
sputinc7 Location: Palm Bay, Florida Find me on the map! Zone: 9b Name: Steve Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 1,394 BananaBucks : 115,935 Feedback: 3 / 100% Said "Thanks" 352 Times Was Thanked 2,430 Times in 971 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 295 Times	Re: Organic growing I don't have much trouble with bugs, but fungus is always an issue with any plant here. Not to mention it's just a sand dune with grass on it. __________________ If you lose your head and give up, you neither live nor win. https://sputinc7.wixsite.com/covwc Varieties I supposedly bought: Manzano, Cavendish, Blue Java, Sweetheart, and Gros Michel. What it seems I actually have: Brazilian, Cavendish, Namwah, Dwarf Red, Gros Michel, Pisang Ceylon, Veinte Cohol and SH 3640, and American Goldfinger. FHIA 1, Paggi and FHIA 17... Always room for one more.

06-30-2016, 01:13 PM	#12 (permalink)
Botanical_Bryce Location: Inverness, Florida Zone: 9a Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 881 BananaBucks : 85,235 Feedback: 4 / 100% Said "Thanks" 7 Times Was Thanked 1,459 Times in 636 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Organic growing Most gardeners I have talk to have mixed emotions on neem. I found it generally useless. Volcanic and dioms have worked best but I found planting things that attract predators and bringing in spiders has pretty much wiped out all my pest issues. Once in a while I get a surprise but sending in the assassins solves the problem instantly. Ill post photos of the bug farm.

06-30-2016, 02:26 PM	#14 (permalink)
Botanical_Bryce Location: Inverness, Florida Zone: 9a Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 881 BananaBucks : 85,235 Feedback: 4 / 100% Said "Thanks" 7 Times Was Thanked 1,459 Times in 636 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Organic growing Assassin bugs. These are a colonizing species east to produce in bins. https://scontent.ftpa1-2.fna.fbcdn.n...g=eyJpIjoidCJ9 We raise millipedes. Raise these in compost bins. We just got in 2000 of them. https://scontent.ftpa1-2.fna.fbcdn.n...g=eyJpIjoidCJ9 These are discoids roaches. Native to Florida and can not climb out of bins. These are used for composting and live in the mulch. These invite birds that also eat other forms of insects. https://scontent.ftpa1-2.fna.fbcdn.n...g=eyJpIjoidCJ9 We also have mantids, lady bugs, and solitary assassins. In the future I will start getting lacewings. This started as a bioligical and pet supply but I am turning it to agriculturl homestead supply as well. We also have native snakes and eggs hatching now. Great rodent control. This presently produces $50,000 to $70,000 per year. More people should try this and implement them.

06-30-2016, 02:28 PM	#15 (permalink)
Botanical_Bryce Location: Inverness, Florida Zone: 9a Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 881 BananaBucks : 85,235 Feedback: 4 / 100% Said "Thanks" 7 Times Was Thanked 1,459 Times in 636 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Organic growing This business is not mine. I am only the assistant.

06-30-2016, 02:42 PM	#16 (permalink)
Botanical_Bryce Location: Inverness, Florida Zone: 9a Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 881 BananaBucks : 85,235 Feedback: 4 / 100% Said "Thanks" 7 Times Was Thanked 1,459 Times in 636 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Organic growing Rodent control https://scontent.ftpa1-2.fna.fbcdn.n...g=eyJpIjoidCJ9

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