Worm_Farmer

Should I start watering my Banana's less now that it is cold outside? I notice the growth has really slowed down, and it seems as if the plants are not sucking up as much water. I was giving them water twice a day, The big Ice Cream I give 1 gallon of water at 10am and another gallon at 10pm. My potted Bananas also seem to have slow down and I am getting burn spots or dead spots in the new leafs. Is this because I might be over watering for season? Or is it just the cold killing the plants?

Simply Bananas

The Photoperiod is shorter. The sun angle is less. Lower temperatures . All contribute to a slower growth rate.

I would certainly ease up on watering on the cooler days --less than 70f to no water less than 60f.

Not sure about black spots. Mine have a few also, but never affected the following spring's growth(that I know of).

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bepah

Keep an eye on the ground and the air.

For example, I turned off the irrigation last week. The ground arounf my plants was dry 2 inches down, but moist lower. However, we had a breeze today that was quite drying. I watered this afternoon just to be certain that respiration was continuing.

I probably won't water again for at least a week, maybe longer if it rains......you just have to feel that it is needed, if you do not have a moisture meter in your ground.

Keep an eye on things and you will do fine!

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pitangadiego

Keep damp only, and no fertilizer untill they start pushing new growth in the Spring.

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Worm_Farmer

Well FL is crazy, the last two weeks has been cold, this week we are back into the 80's and the Big Ice Cream is growing fast again, but my Williams seems to be having trouble, the new leafs are smaller then the older ones and one is 100% yellow turning brown. I know the next 10 days should be pretty warm, maybe I could throught in some Boost tomorrow and that should be me by till spring? Maybe I will just hold off all together and wait till spring to start boosting again.

momoese

We have 90's coming up here in West LA this week!

Bob

Yeah, all you zone 9 and 10 guys.......... rub it in!!!!

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buzzwinder

Yeah, I heard that Bob, we're cold and wet here in N. Il. highs in the upper 30's lows in the upper 20's with rain everyday, though it is sunny and 75 in my basement with the lights on, ( thats where my nanners are spending the winter). Only 5 and half more months till Spring I think I'll start drinking now!

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Bill for my friend

Bob

Have one for me Bill. A deep dish pie to warm the innards might be good about now, I think I'll call Lou Malnotis' for a couple. brrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

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pitangadiego

The long answer is to match the water use by the plant with the amount of water applied. When heat goes up and/or humidity goes down, there is a need for greater moisture. When the humidity rises and/or the temperature decreases, the need for moisture decreases. When it is cool, too little moisture and the roots dry and die; too much moisture and they rot. When bananas are dormant, i.e. growing very slowly due to cool temps,there isn't much need for moisture, or fertilizer. When very actively growing, they use lareg quantities of both.

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mm4birds

A fine line between dessication and putrification

microfarmer

What Pitangadiego and mm4birds said!



Inside under lights and with 75 degrees, is almost summertime in Chicagoland.

I've stopped watering mine completely outdoors, and mulched them heavily with composting Pete poop. I put black plastic on the soil to expel water from it (when the rains finally come) and thermally warm it...

It's still in the 70's. Nights are still high 40's to 50 degrees, but I know it won't be long before the cold snap and rains...

they shoulda been here by now...

lookin' like it might be a drought year already...

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pitangadiego

mm4birds got it exactly right. It gets even more fun, here in SD, this year: we get a few days of 60F and then a week of 85-95 weather. They start and stop. Spring was the same way this year: a cold week, and a warm week, 50s, then 100F. In October humidity was as low as 6%. So every week is a customized watering schedule around here. Last weekend was 60, damp and cloudy. This weekend is 90s again and no humidity. In areas of high rain, you have to pay more attention to soil type and drainage, so that they are not "overwatered" by the rain. And each time you "get it wrong" you stress the plant, which ends up causing smaller fruit or less fruit or both. A couple years and you get the hang of it.

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