Watering nana's
 

Hello everyone I am new here and I need a lot of help to learn about growing bananas. I live in Canada so mine is inside atm and suffering :o(

My nana is about 4 feet high has about 7 leaves 4 of which I had to prop them up using sticks besides seems the stems always bend and breaks?

My question is how often should I be watering a banana it's in a 10 gallon pot, do I leave it until the soils dries on the surface AND down below or am I supposed to keep it moist at all times? I am thinking maybe my stems are bending and breaking because of too much water maybe? Should I just cut off those leaves? When I water it how much do you think I should give it at one watering do you deep water them or just give them a little drink?

Yeah I know that is more than one question LOL.

Thx in advance :2738:

Re: Watering nana's
 

I wouldn't cut anything unless it turns brown. I'd only water till the soil is damp, not soggy or soaked. :^)

Re: Watering nana's
 

Thanks so much for the reply :03:

Re: Watering nana's
 

I have found that bone dry is best,I have found that of all my bananas overwintering indoors get a little rot starting on the stems no matter how much water they get,sdc and siam ruby in particular .Where in canada are you from???

Re: Watering nana's
 

Yeah, sounds like your watering schedule is just fine...don't change that or you will likely get rot. Some varieties just don't do well indoors. My siam ruby got very slender and all the plants above 2' or so are flopped over and will need to be cut off when I put them outside. Just something to do with the variety, I think....indoors is not 'optimal' for its growth.

Re: Watering nana's
 

The keys to success with your plant are to keep it as warm and brightly lit as possible. I let mine dry out 2" below the surface before watering( it takes restraint). At this time of year they dont need much but will pick up growth and water intake as the outdoor temps and light increase. Don't be in a hurry to water at this time. More plants are lost by killing them with kindness than any other cause.

Re: Watering nana's
 

Thank you so much everyone I do believe I am over watering by the sounds of it. I think I am going to have to hide the watering cans LOL.
If I let it dry out on the surface how much do you think I should give it is a little watering can too much for a 10 gallon pot?
I love this forum and all my new banana friends :woohoonaner:

Re: Watering nana's
 

I would say maybe half a gallon whenever it gets dry a bit below the surface. If it's taking an excessive amount of time to dry out between waterings at that amount, maybe consider watering with a smaller amount each time.

Re: Watering nana's
 

Thanks Lil :o)

Re: Watering nana's
 

Actually, the leaf blade stems bending down is usually an indication that the plant is too dry. More specifically dry for too long in between waterings. The leaves expand, get heavy, and grow when there's enough water, and then the first time the plant dries out a little too much, that little narrow part where the leaf hooks to the main stem gets soft and spongy from lack of water, then the weight of the leaf causes it to bend down, eventually killing your leaf. It's a survival strategy for the plant actually. It needs to lose some surface area to stay alive, so it kills off some leaves. That way the plant doesn't dry out too much during drought, and when it gets better conditions, it starts growing new leaves again.
You might be going just a little too long in-between waterings. Our plant that is by a plate glass window at church is about 6 feet tall, it's a bordelon with two stems in a 14" pot. It currently requires approx 1/2-3/4 gallon of water a week, once a week. It does get good strong light, and temps down to 60 at night. Last week church was closed because of snow and for some reason I didn't think about that plant needing water even once during the week. So it went two weeks with no water. It lost two leaves due to them bending down like you described.
During summer, the same plant requires about 1-1.5 gallons of water in the same location.

Re: Watering nana's
 

Sandy I was wondering whether that may be the problem too, as I am water much less (amount wise) but more often and the color seems to be looking a lot healthier on the plant but let me ask you will the leaves that have drooped will they ever lift back up again they are not broken just bending in a "U" shape now?
I will see if I can take a pic of this sorry lookn beastie to show you, I love your store Sandy I think I saw a white eggplant if I am remembering correctly looks so cool.
Cheers and thx.

Re: Watering nana's
 

If your plants are long, skinny, & the leaves look like they are ready to break off then you got a light issue.. but thats alright, just don't water to much. Like what bob said "The keys to success with your plant are to keep it as warm and brightly lit as possible. I let mine dry out 2" (or more) below the surface before watering (it takes restraint). "

Re: Watering nana's
 

Those leaves once they're bent won't ever come back to regular position again. They will eventually die off, but it will take a while. You can leave them on there as long as they're green and they will still contribute to the plant I suppose.
There was a lady at the farmers market and her banana did that and with the help of her grandkids, they made little splints out of tape and popsickle sticks and propped them back up. She said those leaves stayed on all summer. She doesn't let her banana out of the house for summer, she said she's afraid to put it in the yard! I don't know if you want to get that crazy with it, but it's an option...lol...
By the way those white eggplants are really good, I like the lavender touch ones too. We grew black beauty, ichiban, cloud nine and lavender touch for market last year and everyone liked them all. They really look pretty all together in a basket at market.

Re: Watering nana's
 

As promised here is a pic of the most sorry looking nanner out there.


Sandy I wish I lived closer to you to come visit your wonderful plant heaven :03:

Re: Watering nana's
 

Ahh, an Ensete maurelii! Definitely do not keep that plant too moist (or get water in the center of it). They like it dry and are prone to crown rot if the inside gets too wet. Pretty sure being constantly exposed to high humidity was what did mine in.

Re: Watering nana's
 

You have an ensete maurelii, not a banana. It actually looks pretty good! Check the back side of the leaves and top sides of the leaves periodically for spider mites. They will look like little blonde dots, possibly with fine spider webs. If you find them on your banana, check your palms too. They like palms too. Feel free to pm me if you have any questions. Ensetes actually like conditions a little tiny bit dryer in the roots than regular bananas in the winter, but pretty much the same conditions in the winter. It will grow really fast in the summer when you put it outside. It's about 2-2.5 feet tall now? it will easily grow to 5-8 feet tall at least if you repot it in the spring and put it outside.
I had one about 3 feet tall when I put it into the ground and it grew to be about 10 feet tall last year. They are so fun to grow