symbolic relationship
 

Does the banana share a symbolic relationship with any specific type of plant, where it prefers and grows better WITH a certain type of plant?

For example, maybe other types of plants such as in the case of elm (root matting) or walnut (juglone toxicity) where nothing much likes to grow under or around them because they guarantee there own existance either by leeching a chemical that retards or eliminates the possibility of competitors or crowding out anything else by massive invasive matting root systems so nothing else can take root there by hording all water, nutrients and gas exchange (or) the absence of other plants like when we pull the weeds from around our matts.
In the case of other plants not like the Elm or Pecan but just everyday community plants or the absence of other plants I understand the banana may still survive fine but with other specific plants that it may actually thrive if given a cozy hospitable neighbor.

Have you found a good neighbor for your banana that seems to give it reason to florish? :waving:

Re: symbolic relationship
 

Very interesting question! Have not heard of any yet, but will subscribe to your thread.

Re: symbolic relationship
 

Symbiotic??
Symbolic???
Symbanana????
Pm me with details of Duchmans pipe seeds(pelican)
:08:

Re: symbolic relationship
 

Crazy banana, I looked threw here and didn't find a referance to the subject so I thought I would throw it out there and see what happens.
I planted 6 diffrent types of bananas in the yard today that I had recieved in trades and had recovered or grown enough in the pots not to be over looked by a Mad Mowing Man with a lawn mower, as I was amending the so called Florida dirt here the question popped into my mind and an answer did not, so that's how this came up. Thanks for the interest

Cincinnana, I wish my fingers watched what I was typing...LOL
You got the jist none the less.

Those seeds are gone, I'm working on rooted cuttings now should be ready for spring, a good time to plant in your area for this plant. Won't take 2 years to flower like with seeds. Let me know if you would be interested in a rooted cutting instead, I'll tag one for you.

Re: symbolic relationship
 

Well, Mycorrhizae is a fungus that comes to my mind. As far as I remember it is beneficial for a healthy root system of a banana plant. You can buy it just like fertilizer but in fact it is a fungus/plant.
You were probably thinking of other plants though...

Re: symbolic relationship
 

I believe she means symbiotic, as in a two-way relationship where each benefits.

Re: symbolic relationship
 

I use 2 companion plants not so much to help the banana but to help me cover up all the chopped up stems and leaves. These two can take the rough treatment of people stomping and trunks crashing.

impatiens (easy to plop seedlings in with a little dirt)

a fern we call laua'e (lah - wah - aay) (easy to plant a few of the ground runners)
here is an image FS527 | Photo Resource Hawaii

Re: symbolic relationship
 

I've had good results growing tender lettuce under the banana canopy. Helps with keeping the hot sun and heavy rains from destroying the lettuce.

Re: symbolic relationship
 

I plant a couple types of harmful nematode fighting marigolds, Single Gold and Nemagone (from burpee). I've read the Single Gold and another called Golden Guardian are supposed to be beneficial, at least in Hawaii.

Re: symbolic relationship
 

where the sun beats down I think squash, or cantelopes inbetween is good if there is enough aqua to go around.. :^)