Best Practices For Starting Corms in Pots?
 

This is more of a question to the experienced folks here than me offering advice. At this posting, Winter has just began in Zone 7 and i have 9 corms potted up in 9 pots in my heated office. I've grown TC plants, but this is my first bout with corms. My primary concern is maybe too much / not enough water.

All tips / suggestions / comments are welcome!

Re: Best Practices For Starting Corms in Pots?
 

burris,

Check my thread/post "New Corms" in the Main Banana Discussion Section!....Hopefully it helps!....:bananarow:

Re: Best Practices For Starting Corms in Pots?
 

Thanks!!!
http://www.bananas.org/f2/new-corms-45257.html

Re: Best Practices For Starting Corms in Pots?
 

Post a photo of the plants if you can with your current method to grow your corms......

There are a few ways members grow out their plants from corms in containers.

Some folks use perlite, sand, and peat moss based mix's with great results.
Some plant the corm directly in the ground.

I have used all three substrates in containers and have had no real issues with them.

Some members really like the sand or perlite. Use what you can afford or what is easy to get.


With any of the ways one chooses good drainage is key especially in a slow growth indoor environment.

Re: Best Practices For Starting Corms in Pots?
 

So after a months thought......are your plants doing good ??

Many great ideas were to be had.
Perlite
Sand
Peatmoss
Coffee grounds
Peat /perlite mix
Miracle grow?

What did you come up with??

Re: Best Practices For Starting Corms in Pots?
 

Of the aforementioned 9 corms in potting soil, 2 are thriving, but they had well established roots to begin with. These others appear pretty much dormant. A couple more show a tiny green sprout.

23 days ago i had shipped in 4 tiny Tissue culture plants from WellSpring Gardens. Dwarf Orinco. They had a small amount of soil around the roots.

I potted 1 in potting soil and 3 i potted in coarse sand. The one put in potting soil is very nearly dead - i doubt it survives. The 3 in potting soil look a wee bit worse for the wear - probably transplant shock. They look like they will be OK.

I live nearby a large river where i am able to easily get clean coarse sand. I'd never used it before, but i like the idea of it.

Re: Best Practices For Starting Corms in Pots?
 

What is your plan for feeding those TC plants in sand.

Re: Best Practices For Starting Corms in Pots?
 

burris,

Thanks for the update.
It is interesting to follow the progress of your plants in the differnt planting substrates that are chosen.

I was curious.

Good luck...spring is right around the corner:woohoonaner:

Re: Best Practices For Starting Corms in Pots?
 

If the corms have roots, then pot in a soil & sand mix (about 50/50). The soil will hold moisture and nutrients for the plant while the new roots acclimate for plant support.

If the corms do not have roots, then use course sand. This is to keep the corm moist until new roots grow. Then repot to a soil-sand/perlite mix.

The TC's came from a greenhouse environment and were being
misted severally times a day as roots grow. These need to be re-potted in a soil-sand/perlite mix and high humidity and/or mist a couple of times per day until the plant shows signs of new growth.

Re: Best Practices For Starting Corms in Pots?
 

I consider myself a novice - so not as skilled as many here. I mix 12-4-8 liquid Miracle Grow fertilizer in water.

Re: Best Practices For Starting Corms in Pots?
 

That fertilizer works well...use what you can afford, many times you cannot tell the difference.
If I run out of water soluables I will go to 16-16-16 granular garden type fertilizer.

I will use an inexpensive (homemade) peat /perlite mix for plants with consistent results.



Orinoco corm by
Hostafarian,
on Flickr

Re: Best Practices For Starting Corms in Pots?
 

Burris ,
This is another mix which works very well.
Al's gritty mix...recipe is found on youtube.....use what works.

Is this a best practice? For me it is a good one for containers in zone 5/6.


I use it with a few higher value plants, and I have compared this mix in about 15 container plants which are not bananas,mostly ferns, hostas ,and aroids and high value leafy vegetables(kale) grown under lights..
This mix is also a great cactus, succulent, bonsai mix .



Once the materials are gathered.......your good..
The mix is heavy......not for 15 gal containers and up if you have issues of lifting.

This is an ultimate grow mix choice .....it is pricy to start.....but you will never lose your plant.

But you have to make and use it to draw your own opinion.



.

Al's gritty mix with charcoal
by
Hostafarian,
on Flickr

Re: Best Practices For Starting Corms in Pots?
 

Thanks for your input. I'm seeing these results at YouTube for "Al's Gritty Mix" https://www.youtube.com/results?sear...27s+gritty+mix

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_xMiTKhfa4 I will try this variation or similar. thanks!