Originally Posted by Kat2

I was under the impression that flowers were only for show on non viable seed producing bananas--the ones you eat without breaking your teeth chowing down. Am I wrong? Common figs are essentially virgins; the "fruit" is inverted flowers. But this is not about the sex life of ficus...

Am I supposed to be playing bee if my DC ever flowers?

Originally Posted by chris_zx2

A 13w CFL is equivalent to 60 watts. In terms of cost effectiveness I strongly recommend a minimum of 23w. If you can afford the big ones it would better.
I also suggest half 2700k and half 6500k. Although CFL's are full spectrum you want most of the light to be red and blues. Plants use the red and blues most effectively.
To make it clearer a 5000K bulb may put out 25% blue (6500K) and 10% red (2700K) but the remaining 65% will be in the unusable range. If you use the 6500K and 2700K you will be much more efficient.
Also keep in mind reds (2700K) simulate lower sun for fruiting and blues (6500K) simulate middle of summer for vegetative growth.
As well a distance of 6-8" is ideal for growth.

I know all this is hard to accomplish aesthetically, that is why I build my 10 bulb systems (1000W) in spare rooms and I install track lighting with spot bulbs for public areas.

Here is the color charts showing the spectrum's; keep an eye on the reds and blues:
***sorry couldn't find 5000K but it will be mid range greens to blues.

6500K:


2700k:

Originally Posted by lmswayne

I play bee to be to get the max from my plant that fruit I may not have to but I have gotten a lot of seed that way and my flower keeps growing.

Originally Posted by Ablessed

Now, y'all have me confused. If I'm seeing little bananas on the plant, then it's already been pollinated, hasn't it?

Originally Posted by Kat2

Don't be confused. Playing pollinator for non seeded bananas does nothing but make the human bee feel like they're contributing to the eventual crop. Carry on as you have. Male flowers give nothing to edible bananas.

Originally Posted by Kat2

Don't be confused. Playing pollinator for non seeded bananas does nothing but make the human bee feel like they're contributing to the eventual crop. Carry on as you have. Male flowers give nothing to edible bananas.

Originally Posted by cincinnana

Lets see a pic of the setup....
sound real cool......

Originally Posted by Ablessed

Thanks to Chris, I can now show you a could of pics of what's going on around here: (Hope this works)

Here is the turret with my plants:


Here are the babies:


And here you can see the bulbs above the plant:

Originally Posted by chris_zx2

Seriously nice! You would never know your in a location where your snots freeze....
With those windows you can probably get away with less artificial light. I hope no one in Calgary had their bananas out when the snow storm hit.

I just skimmed through this thread quickly again but couldn't indo it.... that is a dwarf Cavendish right?

Originally Posted by chris_zx2

How are the new leaves?

Originally Posted by Ablessed

Thanks to Chris, I can now show you a could of pics of what's going on around here: (Hope this works)

And here you can see the bulbs above the plant:

Originally Posted by chris_zx2

Generally you should judge the plant by the new growth. New leaves grow accustomed to the current environment, old leaves grew accustomed to a different environment. Keep an eye on it and check for any creepy crawlies.

Originally Posted by Jamie p

Could be a potassium problem . I always put just a little Sul,po,mag on my plants every now and then but like what was said before a change in environment can cause things to.

Originally Posted by chris_zx2

Generally you should judge the plant by the new growth. New leaves grow accustomed to the current environment, old leaves grew accustomed to a different environment. Keep an eye on it and check for any creepy crawlies.