Container banana soil.

paulorph · 02-11-2012, 12:15 PM

Just wondered if there is a thread on good homemade banana soil. I searched but could not find. If not why not start one here. Please post your recipies,
Paulo

sunfish · 02-11-2012, 01:28 PM

Potting soil

Info:Soil - Bananas Wiki

nullzero · 02-13-2012, 06:33 PM

A good cheap mix that works good for me is;

5 parts pine bark (make sure its the smaller particles)
1 part peat moss
1 part perlite
a little compost
dash of lime

paulorph · 02-13-2012, 07:49 PM

Thanks guys. Just wanted to see what people did to "homebrew" their soil. When I mean homebrew, it can be with a potting soil with your own special ingredients. Or totally from scratch. I do this with BBQ sauce myself lol. Thanks again,
Paulo

Gabe15 · 02-14-2012, 02:02 AM

I would avoid using pine bark or anything woody. As it breaks down, it will take away nitrogen which would otherwise go to the plant, so you will have to over fertilize to compensate. Since bananas are heavy feeders, it is tempting to feed a lot with sythetic fertilizers, but in a containerized situation they can easily accumulate and cause more problems than they are solving. For this reason, it is best to mix in most of the fertilizer ahead of time, and you can meet most of the nutrient requirements with a healthy portion of compost. You can also choose to mix in some slow release fertilizer too.

For long term growth in pots, I would use something like:

1/3 perlite
1/3 compost
1/3 peat or coconut coir

nullzero · 02-14-2012, 02:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gabe15

I would avoid using pine bark or anything woody. As it breaks down, it will take away nitrogen which would otherwise go to the plant, so you will have to over fertilize to compensate. Since bananas are heavy feeders, it is tempting to feed a lot with sythetic fertilizers, but in a containerized situation they can easily accumulate and cause more problems than they are solving. For this reason, it is best to mix in most of the fertilizer ahead of time, and you can meet most of the nutrient requirements with a healthy portion of compost. You can also choose to mix in some slow release fertilizer too.

For long term growth in pots, I would use something like:

1/3 perlite
1/3 compost
1/3 peat or coconut coir

I know what you mean, its better to use composted pine bark. However that nitrogen will become available again when it breaks down. I have not noticed any adverse effects using this mix on all my plants. I just compensate with fish emulsion fertilizer schedule and have been using kelp foliar sprays as well. Fruited bananas in containers with this mix, the mix works to counter the high PH water we have here in SoCal.

Island Brah · 07-05-2016, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gabe15

I would avoid using pine bark or anything woody. As it breaks down, it will take away nitrogen which would otherwise go to the plant, so you will have to over fertilize to compensate. Since bananas are heavy feeders, it is tempting to feed a lot with sythetic fertilizers, but in a containerized situation they can easily accumulate and cause more problems than they are solving. For this reason, it is best to mix in most of the fertilizer ahead of time, and you can meet most of the nutrient requirements with a healthy portion of compost. You can also choose to mix in some slow release fertilizer too.

For long term growth in pots, I would use something like:

1/3 perlite
1/3 compost
1/3 peat or coconut coir

Gabe15, you always have the most straight forward advice which does not leave me more confused lol. Thanks! I transplanted my first crop of Basjoo this year from a a friend's property. They are young and about 4-5 feet tall now. They just started to have pups of their own break through the soil and I was thinking about putting them indoor over the winter to maximize growth.

Questions:

Will this soil recipe work for indoor and outdoor potted bananas?

Will this soil recipe be best for all types of banana trees?

I have 0.5 - 0.5 - 0.5 Black Kow(composted manure), can I use this as the 1/3 compost you advised or do I need to use straight compost?

Do you recommend gravel or coarse sand at the bottom of the pot?

Do you have experience with palm and cactus mix?

Sorry for all the questions! Thanks!!

Snarkie · 07-13-2016, 11:31 AM

I use dirt, ashes with a lot of charcoal still intact, sawdust and Stall-Dri to keep it easily drainable.

Alicia · 07-19-2016, 01:13 AM

I have read a 'tea' made from chicken manure and wood ash is good.
With a good supply of rabbit 'leftovers' left to compost, a Great atteactant for earth worms, I use to top dress plants and re-pot various veggies and fruit trees.
Are eggshells bad for bananas?

Zombie Dave · 11-05-2016, 06:03 PM

Is cow manure/w compost any good for these?

Zombie Dave · 11-05-2016, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunfish

Potting soil

Info:Soil - Bananas Wiki

Reading this now.

eharriett · 11-08-2016, 08:43 PM

To add to this: I wanted to throw in my 2 cents on fertilizer. The Going Bananas site has some 6-2-12 fertilizer that they won't ship, I had not been able to find it locally (in Ohio). I was FINALLY able to find some I could order from Stokes Tropicals. The stuff works great. Added it to my soil and my GM eats it up.

Island Brah · 11-21-2016, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zombie Dave

Is cow manure/w compost any good for these?

1/3 perlite
1/3 composted cow manure
1/3 peat moss

This is what I use and mine LOVE it and pops a new leaf weekly.

Snarkie · 11-21-2016, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alicia

I have read a 'tea' made from chicken manure and wood ash is good.
With a good supply of rabbit 'leftovers' left to compost, a Great atteactant for earth worms, I use to top dress plants and re-pot various veggies and fruit trees.
Are eggshells bad for bananas?

Egg shells are pretty much calcium sheets in a funny shape. It's no different than adding a little lime to the mix. Just dry them first and pulverize.

Bearskin10 · 02-02-2017, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gabe15

I would avoid using pine bark or anything woody. As it breaks down, it will take away nitrogen which would otherwise go to the plant, so you will have to over fertilize to compensate. Since bananas are heavy feeders, it is tempting to feed a lot with sythetic fertilizers, but in a containerized situation they can easily accumulate and cause more problems than they are solving. For this reason, it is best to mix in most of the fertilizer ahead of time, and you can meet most of the nutrient requirements with a healthy portion of compost. You can also choose to mix in some slow release fertilizer too.

For long term growth in pots, I would use something like:

1/3 perlite
1/3 compost
1/3 peat or coconut coir

Just got my first 2 Banana plants (Gros Michel and Blue Java) from Green Earth today and used your soil mix will see how they do.....

Thanks Greg

Snarkie · 02-02-2017, 04:50 PM

Hi Greg-

Why don't you post over in Member Introductions and tell us a little bit about yourself and how you found us.

CraigSS · 02-03-2017, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nullzero

I know what you mean, its better to use composted pine bark. However that nitrogen will become available again when it breaks down. I have not noticed any adverse effects using this mix on all my plants. I just compensate with fish emulsion fertilizer schedule and have been using kelp foliar sprays as well. Fruited bananas in containers with this mix, the mix works to counter the high PH water we have here in SoCal.

NullZero
This is being used in a container indoors. Does not the fish emulsion become a bit stringent and might keep the owners at bay?

beam2050 · 02-03-2017, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bearskin10

Just got my first 2 Banana plants (Gros Michel and Blue Java) from Green Earth today and used your soil mix will see how they do.....

Thanks Greg

what did the plants look like from green earth?

subsonicdrone · 02-03-2017, 09:33 AM

my experience has been that it smells while you are watering but not the next time i go in there (fish emulsion)

Bearskin10 · 02-03-2017, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beam2050

what did the plants look like from green earth?

They were very nice plants packed well and in good health, I'll try to take some pics and see if I can figure out how to post them up.....

02-11-2012, 12:15 PM	#1 (permalink)
paulorph Find me on the map! Zone: 6 Name: Paulo Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 73 BananaBucks : 33,284 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 36 Times Was Thanked 71 Times in 44 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 6 Times	Container banana soil. Just wondered if there is a thread on good homemade banana soil. I searched but could not find. If not why not start one here. Please post your recipies, Paulo __________________ Hi from cold Ann Arbor,Michigan! Go Blue!

02-11-2012, 01:28 PM	#2 (permalink)
sunfish Banned sunfish's Photo Gallery Location: San Diego Find me on the map! Zone: 9-11 Name: Tony Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 18,429 BananaBucks : 1,058,552 Feedback: 8 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,210 Times Was Thanked 20,592 Times in 7,760 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2,716 Times	Re: Container banana soil. Potting soil Info:Soil - Bananas Wiki

02-13-2012, 06:33 PM	#3 (permalink)
nullzero Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 61 BananaBucks : 21,574 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 9 Times Was Thanked 133 Times in 44 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 3 Times	Re: Container banana soil. A good cheap mix that works good for me is; 5 parts pine bark (make sure its the smaller particles) 1 part peat moss 1 part perlite a little compost dash of lime

02-13-2012, 07:49 PM	#4 (permalink)
paulorph Find me on the map! Zone: 6 Name: Paulo Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 73 BananaBucks : 33,284 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 36 Times Was Thanked 71 Times in 44 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 6 Times	Re: Container banana soil. Thanks guys. Just wanted to see what people did to "homebrew" their soil. When I mean homebrew, it can be with a potting soil with your own special ingredients. Or totally from scratch. I do this with BBQ sauce myself lol. Thanks again, Paulo __________________ Hi from cold Ann Arbor,Michigan! Go Blue!

02-14-2012, 02:02 AM	#5 (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 : 13,356,873 Feedback: 5 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1 Times Was Thanked 8,242 Times in 2,200 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 8 Times	Re: Container banana soil. I would avoid using pine bark or anything woody. As it breaks down, it will take away nitrogen which would otherwise go to the plant, so you will have to over fertilize to compensate. Since bananas are heavy feeders, it is tempting to feed a lot with sythetic fertilizers, but in a containerized situation they can easily accumulate and cause more problems than they are solving. For this reason, it is best to mix in most of the fertilizer ahead of time, and you can meet most of the nutrient requirements with a healthy portion of compost. You can also choose to mix in some slow release fertilizer too. For long term growth in pots, I would use something like: 1/3 perlite 1/3 compost 1/3 peat or coconut coir __________________ Growing bananas in Colorado, Washington, Hawaii since 2004. Commercial banana farmer, 200+ varieties.

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07-13-2016, 11:31 AM	#8 (permalink)
Snarkie The Cat Whisperer Location: Charlotte, NC Zone: 8b, pushing 9a Name: D.A. Hänks Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 2,119 BananaBucks : 164,300 Feedback: 5 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1,218 Times Was Thanked 1,976 Times in 1,145 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1,049 Times	Re: Container banana soil. I use dirt, ashes with a lot of charcoal still intact, sawdust and Stall-Dri to keep it easily drainable. __________________ Doug (D.A. Hänks) http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2955582/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1 The Only Eastern Redwood Forest in America "Nuke my 'nanners, will you?!"

07-19-2016, 01:13 AM	#9 (permalink)
Alicia Find me on the map! Join Date: Jul 2016 Posts: 1 BananaBucks : 354 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 0 Times Was Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Container banana soil. I have read a 'tea' made from chicken manure and wood ash is good. With a good supply of rabbit 'leftovers' left to compost, a Great atteactant for earth worms, I use to top dress plants and re-pot various veggies and fruit trees. Are eggshells bad for bananas?

11-05-2016, 06:03 PM	#10 (permalink)
Zombie Dave Find me on the map! Join Date: Nov 2016 Posts: 85 BananaBucks : 21,808 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 69 Times Was Thanked 80 Times in 43 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 3 Times	Re: Container banana soil. Is cow manure/w compost any good for these?

11-08-2016, 08:43 PM	#12 (permalink)
eharriett Join Date: Jul 2016 Posts: 54 BananaBucks : 59,119 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 33 Times Was Thanked 51 Times in 25 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2 Times	Re: Container banana soil. To add to this: I wanted to throw in my 2 cents on fertilizer. The Going Bananas site has some 6-2-12 fertilizer that they won't ship, I had not been able to find it locally (in Ohio). I was FINALLY able to find some I could order from Stokes Tropicals. The stuff works great. Added it to my soil and my GM eats it up.

02-02-2017, 04:50 PM	#16 (permalink)
Snarkie The Cat Whisperer Location: Charlotte, NC Zone: 8b, pushing 9a Name: D.A. Hänks Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 2,119 BananaBucks : 164,300 Feedback: 5 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1,218 Times Was Thanked 1,976 Times in 1,145 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1,049 Times	Re: Container banana soil. Hi Greg- Why don't you post over in Member Introductions and tell us a little bit about yourself and how you found us. __________________ Doug (D.A. Hänks) http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2955582/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1 The Only Eastern Redwood Forest in America "Nuke my 'nanners, will you?!"

02-03-2017, 09:33 AM	#19 (permalink)
subsonicdrone Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 1,383 BananaBucks : 26,219 Feedback: 3 / 100% Said "Thanks" 4,744 Times Was Thanked 1,902 Times in 660 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Container banana soil. my experience has been that it smells while you are watering but not the next time i go in there (fish emulsion)

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