DoctorSteve

It seems as though not many of the members are growing a Pisang Raja. So I thought I would document my experience so all those that are interested can take a look and see if they want one themselves.

This is the first picture so not much info so far. I was thinking of taking a picture every month but if everyone would prefer every two weeks, I can do that. Though I don't know how much change there will be every two weeks.

One thing I have noticed is that the leaves are a much darker green than my Goldfinger.

P.stem is about 7" tall 0.5" wide. The Large leaf on the right is 8" long and 3" wide. Planted in a 5 gallon pot, I think.
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The fruit of the Pisang Raja supposedly has yellow to yellow orange flesh. Unless someone else has pictures we will have to wait till I get some fruit to verify the color.

DoctorSteve

The picture is not working let me fix it.

DoctorSteve

Here it is one month later. It is slow grower compared to my goldfinger.

Pseudostem 10 3/4" tall 0.5" wide

New large leaf 11" long 5.5"

Simply Bananas

Despite the claim of robust large plant, I have had very little luck with them.

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DoctorSteve

I had not read that about them, I guess we will see how it does over here. I found spider mites on it this morning so lets hope for the best.

DoctorSteve

This is the latest photo, This is a slow slow banana.

Caloosamusa

Surfactants (very soapy water) are a non-toxic (to us) way of killing spider mites and leaf chewing insects.

Something I have noticed is that the roots of Pisang Raja do not like being inhibited and they also do not like prolonged cool periods. I hope this helps, if you want pictures I will post them.

DoctorSteve

The leave that doesn't look so great was damaged by me. It had spider mites and I sprayed it just before sunlight hit the leaves so it burned the leaf. It had and even newer leaf that burned completely. You live you learn I guess. Lesson learned, don't spray before or during direct sunlight hours for the plant.

What do you mean by inhibited? I am thinking you mean growing room, for instance my pot size. Do you know if they like the roots to go out or down? Also what do you mean buy cool, less than 60 or less than 50? I was planning on bringing it in this winter anyway. It hasn't gotten below 50 at night yet and the days are mid 70's to low 80's. I have read they are cool tolerant but I am not sure how cool that is so I am not taking my chances until I have some suckers to save inside during winter.

Oh an I would LOVE some pictures! I am only doing this thread because there isn't much information about the pisang raja.

Rmplmnz

Nice bloom pics on this thread...

Raja Puri blooming

DoctorSteve

Sorry I haven't posted in a while, things cooled a bit and it wasn't doing much. Then I forgot to post pictures. So here is the latest.

It has started to pick up since the weather has gotten hotter. The now leaves have a beautiful red color on the underside. Maybe I can get a pic of that tomorrow.

bananimal

Hey Doc------- Being in 9b/10 why isn't the PR in the ground? It would then take off with no more pot worries. Good time to inspect root ball at planting time.

Dan

DoctorSteve

We have gophers and I have been trying to fix that problem. It isn't working though. SO I have decided to get some chicken wire and dig a big hole line it with the wire and then plant my bananas. That is the only reason it is still in a pot.

Or I just read in a mini farming book that caster oil works on gophers and moles. I don't care about moles though. The oil is safe for plants and animals, soaks into the ground the gophers/moles get it on their fur, lick it off and get diarrhea. Then they stop coming back. I read it lasts for six months.

Oh and I wanted to pick up some green sand before they go in the ground. They should be in the ground in the next week. I can't wait.

DoctorSteve

It is hard to see the red on the underside of this leaf in the picture. It looks nice though.

bananimal

Steve,

Let me pass on some good info I sent to Magilla Gorilla last year.

When I moved to So Fla 6 years ago the moles/gophers created a subway system in the yard.

The literature on control says that elimination is the only way to win. Found a product that really works and is available at HD or Lowes. It’s called "Tomcat Mole Killer". Comes in 2 forms now - earthworm and grub. You open an active tunnel and insert one of these jelly worms/grubs inside and carefully cover it up without crushing the tunnel.

I use a 12" pair of curved forceps for inserting the Tomcat worms in the tunnel. Gets the thing in there and disturbs the tunnel ceiling the least. One worm per 12' of tunnel. I don't know if my critters are the same as yours, but if they drag the thing back to the nest for the pups results should be dramatic. And it's alot cheaper and less work than chickenwire.

It took 6 to 8 applications the first time I used it. One day, 2 months after stopping the baiting, I noticed all tunnels had collapsed. The tunnels showed up 2 years later but that's cause I have 2 vacant lots on each side of me.

Check it out --------- http://www.tomcatbrand.com/mole_cont...ntrol-overview

Was worried about the dog - labradors love to dig, right? She ignored the baits.

Gotta say again - this stuff really works!!!

Dan