TrailGaiter

Hope no one minds I threw them both in one post!

Firstly, I was reading an old post on here that made me want to ask....when you plant you first banana (thinking basjoo here, which will have pups eventually), how much space, around existing structures and things, do you give the corm? I planted my two somewhat near my septic tank covers....I have potted plants over the covers, and thought once the basjoos grew, they'd help mask the covers. I intend to put in a bed there. I hoped I have them far enough away. The pups will form where they want, I know....but I am pretty close to those septic tank covers...and it's the parent plant I'm concerned about. How big does the corm get on the main plant?

secondly, I've been trying to look through old posts, and the photo galleries, to try to find pictures of perhaps landscape beds where people have their bananas. Trying to get some ideas for this bed....I know zone differences will be an issue...but I'd just like to see what people have done with their planting beds. I'm seeing photo galleries for the fruit and for specific plants, but I'd love to see a photo gallery for "bananas in the landscape" or something like that that shows how people incorporated them within their landscape...the bigger picture. Anyone have any post/gallery referrals?

Thanks!
Angie

sunfish

sunfish

As the pups grow the corm grows,if you dig out the pups the corm will stay not much larger tha the base of the p-stem

saltydad

The corm in one of my mats is now around 5 feet across (5 years old). I only remove a pup when needed to give to someone else.

__________________
Men In Nursing- "A Few Good Men"

"Gardening is the purest of human pleasures." - Francis Bacon





"If by a liberal, they mean someone who looks ahead and not behind; someone who welcomes new ideas without rigid reactions; someone who cares about the welfare of the people, their health, their housing, their schools, their jobs, their civil rights, their civil liberties; someone who believes we can break through the stalemate and suspicion that grips us; that is what they meant by a liberal, I am proud to be a liberal."
John F. Kennedy, September, 1960


http://flickr.com/photos/saltydad/ and
http://community.webshots.com/user/saltydad
http://s751.photobucket.com/albums/xx151/saltydad/

TrailGaiter

Ok....so I've got them planted within, what I feel is, good growing distance away from these concrete tanks. I don't mind if they spread...I knew they would and welcome it....but obviously they'll only spread where they're allowed to do so...so I should be good. Of course, if I have good luck with these two, my plan is to move pups to other places in the beginning...but I can't "count my bananas before they grow".....they've been in the ground nearly a month, but been acclimating and not growing very much. I hope I see something out of them before the cold weather is upon us again! If I don't, I'll probably dig 'em up and bring them inside. But I thought clumps of basjoos would look great here, I just don't want to hinder their growth. And I thought having them closer to the concrete may help them stay warmer through the winter...I've read that here.
Thanks for the input! I'm learning so much here!

My life belongs in WI...but my heart is truly in a warmer zone! lol

sandy0225

if you need some ideas what to plant with them. then try some elephant ears of any kind you like, hardy hibiscus is good. coleus looks good to mix in for some color. Daturas are tropical looking annuals in zone 5, hostas do well with bananas if you are watering a lot. I have of all things, rhubarb in with my bananas, when people see the large leaves they just assume it's something tropical, but you can eat it too.

__________________
Sandy Burrell



Northern Tropics Greenhouse
1501 East Fuson Road
Muncie, IN 47302
www.northerntropics.com


specializing in bananas, heirloom tomatoes and water gardening plants~
check out our new online store at our website!

TrailGaiter

I actually planted a beautiful coleus in a pot that fit perfectly in the top of a milk can. My mom, who's had coleus in the past, said they like some shade. Yet this coleus I bought, said it liked sun. It was bleaching out considerably in the sun...so I had to put it on the front porch, where it was more sheltered...it was happier there! But, my persian shield is doing well in the sun.... as is my red spike cordy (the one that lived, gophers ripped up the second one...grrrr), but I'd like to get my hands on a couple of colorguard yuccas...probably next year now....to include. I hear they are suitable for zone 5. I'm also a big lover of cannas, and willing to dig them up for winter. I didn't get any this year, I just had my hands in SO many pots this year I didn't get around to it.... but did get some generic bulbs at the farm store, and they're coming up well.