When do I put Gros Michel in the ground?

ronke · 03-17-2016, 06:37 PM

I got two Gros Michel TC from SDarkman two months ago. They were beautiful plant-lets and have been growing well (outdoors on the warmer days, indoor at night). I moved them from his 4" pots up to 1-gallon cans about 3 weeks ago (probably overdue) and decided to pop one out to check the roots this morning. Well, they were all the way down to the bottom and so widespread that when I tried to put the plant back in the 1-gallon they just wouldn't fit. So I moved it and his brother up to 5-gallon cans. They look a little dwarfed by the containers now but I assume they will fill out fast. (I put their picture in the gallery but have no idea how to link to it) They are now too big to fit anyplace indoors so they'll begin overnighting outside. It is still going down to the low 50s some nights, days mostly in the 70s. At what point should I be thinking about putting them in the ground? These are my first bananas so I am totally clueless. Thanks.

Mark Dragt · 03-17-2016, 06:54 PM

For me, I am going to waite till the end of the month. It froze here this morning. Now you should be a zone or two warmer than my zone 8. If your lows are in the 40s, I would plant out now. As long as it doesn't freeze, your plants will be ok.

Botanical_Bryce · 03-17-2016, 07:53 PM

Your zone 8 is not like ours

Richard · 03-17-2016, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ronke

... It is still going down to the low 50s some nights, days mostly in the 70s. ...

I plan to put mine in the ground this weekend.

ronke · 03-17-2016, 10:59 PM

Thanks for all the input! Since Richard is closest to me geographically, I am guessing mine are good to go any time now. Wahoo! Just gotta cut down a muntingia to make room.

Mark Dragt · 03-17-2016, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ronke

Thanks for all the input! Since Richard is closest to me geographically, I am guessing mine are good to go any time now. Wahoo! Just gotta cut down a muntingia to make room.

Richard also has pretty good luck with his banana plants. So, any advice he gives on soil preparation for your area, I would do it.

Richard · 03-17-2016, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ronke

Thanks for all the input! Since Richard is closest to me geographically, I am guessing mine are good to go any time now. Wahoo! Just gotta cut down a muntingia to make room.

Here's a guide I wrote awhile back ... Banana Cultivation In Non-Tropical Climates

ronke · 03-18-2016, 11:22 AM

Thanks so much, Richard. When I saw the website link in your last post, I immediately went to it. It is extremely helpful... though a little daunting; there is no way I have full sun anywhere in my yard. Nonetheless I do manage to grow a lot of fruit so I will hope for the best with these bananas. I am really only growing them because a son's girlfriend has developed an obsession with tasting a Gros Michel. I sure hope she isn't disappointed.

Gabe15 · 03-18-2016, 12:20 PM

Here is your photo, when you view it in the gallery, you simply copy the tex in the box labeled "code for bulletin boards", and paste it in your post.

ronke · 03-18-2016, 02:04 PM

Oh thanks, Gabe. I never got a message from an MC Banana Commander before! And I definitely would never have figured out the copying and pasting. I'm impressed that you grow bananas up where you are. Washington is really non-tropical.

Richard · 03-22-2016, 03:30 PM

Got mine in the ground yesterday ...

ErichRoby · 03-23-2016, 08:10 AM

I think Spring wherever you are...

03-17-2016, 06:37 PM	#1 (permalink)
ronke Location: Santa Monica/LA border Find me on the map! Join Date: Jan 2016 Posts: 82 BananaBucks : 9,982 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 20 Times Was Thanked 105 Times in 41 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	When do I put Gros Michel in the ground? I got two Gros Michel TC from SDarkman two months ago. They were beautiful plant-lets and have been growing well (outdoors on the warmer days, indoor at night). I moved them from his 4" pots up to 1-gallon cans about 3 weeks ago (probably overdue) and decided to pop one out to check the roots this morning. Well, they were all the way down to the bottom and so widespread that when I tried to put the plant back in the 1-gallon they just wouldn't fit. So I moved it and his brother up to 5-gallon cans. They look a little dwarfed by the containers now but I assume they will fill out fast. (I put their picture in the gallery but have no idea how to link to it) They are now too big to fit anyplace indoors so they'll begin overnighting outside. It is still going down to the low 50s some nights, days mostly in the 70s. At what point should I be thinking about putting them in the ground? These are my first bananas so I am totally clueless. Thanks.

03-17-2016, 06:54 PM	#2 (permalink)
Mark Dragt Location: Rochester,Wa Find me on the map! Zone: 8 Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 823 BananaBucks : 43,431 Feedback: 2 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,357 Times Was Thanked 1,718 Times in 635 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 332 Times	Re: When do I put Gros Michel in the ground? For me, I am going to waite till the end of the month. It froze here this morning. Now you should be a zone or two warmer than my zone 8. If your lows are in the 40s, I would plant out now. As long as it doesn't freeze, your plants will be ok. __________________ Mark's Banana Forest Paradise

03-17-2016, 07:53 PM	#3 (permalink)
Botanical_Bryce Location: Inverness, Florida Zone: 9a Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 881 BananaBucks : 86,227 Feedback: 4 / 100% Said "Thanks" 7 Times Was Thanked 1,459 Times in 636 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: When do I put Gros Michel in the ground? Your zone 8 is not like ours

03-17-2016, 10:59 PM	#5 (permalink)
ronke Location: Santa Monica/LA border Find me on the map! Join Date: Jan 2016 Posts: 82 BananaBucks : 9,982 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 20 Times Was Thanked 105 Times in 41 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: When do I put Gros Michel in the ground? Thanks for all the input! Since Richard is closest to me geographically, I am guessing mine are good to go any time now. Wahoo! Just gotta cut down a muntingia to make room.

03-18-2016, 11:22 AM	#8 (permalink)
ronke Location: Santa Monica/LA border Find me on the map! Join Date: Jan 2016 Posts: 82 BananaBucks : 9,982 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 20 Times Was Thanked 105 Times in 41 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: When do I put Gros Michel in the ground? Thanks so much, Richard. When I saw the website link in your last post, I immediately went to it. It is extremely helpful... though a little daunting; there is no way I have full sun anywhere in my yard. Nonetheless I do manage to grow a lot of fruit so I will hope for the best with these bananas. I am really only growing them because a son's girlfriend has developed an obsession with tasting a Gros Michel. I sure hope she isn't disappointed.

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03-18-2016, 12:20 PM	#9 (permalink)
Gabe15 Moderator Gabe15's Photo Gallery Location: Oahu, Hawaii Find me on the map! Zone: 12 Name: Gabe Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 3,892 BananaBucks : 13,421,492 Feedback: 5 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1 Times Was Thanked 8,244 Times in 2,201 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 8 Times	Re: When do I put Gros Michel in the ground? Here is your photo, when you view it in the gallery, you simply copy the tex in the box labeled "code for bulletin boards", and paste it in your post. __________________ Growing bananas in Colorado, Washington, Hawaii since 2004. Commercial banana farmer, 200+ varieties.

03-18-2016, 02:04 PM	#10 (permalink)
ronke Location: Santa Monica/LA border Find me on the map! Join Date: Jan 2016 Posts: 82 BananaBucks : 9,982 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 20 Times Was Thanked 105 Times in 41 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: When do I put Gros Michel in the ground? Oh thanks, Gabe. I never got a message from an MC Banana Commander before! And I definitely would never have figured out the copying and pasting. I'm impressed that you grow bananas up where you are. Washington is really non-tropical.

03-22-2016, 03:30 PM	#11 (permalink)
Richard un-Retired Richard's Photo Gallery Location: Vista, CA Find me on the map! Zone: USDA 10b Name: Richard Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 9,674 BananaBucks : 756,833 Feedback: 9 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,636 Times Was Thanked 12,537 Times in 4,719 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1,685 Times	Re: When do I put Gros Michel in the ground? Got mine in the ground yesterday ... __________________ Back in business at plantsthatproduce.com

03-23-2016, 08:10 AM	#12 (permalink)
ErichRoby Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 10 BananaBucks : 2,418 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 5 Times Was Thanked 14 Times in 8 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: When do I put Gros Michel in the ground? I think Spring wherever you are...

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