Bananas.org

Welcome to the Bananas.org forums.

You're currently viewing our message boards as a guest which gives you limited access to participate in discussions and access our other features such as our wiki and photo gallery. By joining our community, you'll have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload photos, and access many other special features. Registration is fast and simple, so please join our community today!

If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact us.

Go Back   Bananas.org > Banana Forum > Container Grown Banana Plants
Register Photo Gallery Classifieds Wiki Chat Map Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

Container Grown Banana Plants This forum is for discussions about growing banana plants in containers.


Members currently in the chatroom: 0
The most chatters online in one day was 17, 09-06-2009.
No one is currently using the chat.

Reply   Email this Page Email this Page
 
LinkBack Thread Tools
Old 02-11-2012, 12:15 PM   #1 (permalink)
 
paulorph's Avatar
 
Zone: 6
Name: Paulo
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 73
BananaBucks : 31,596
Feedback: 0 / 0%
Said "Thanks" 36 Times
Was Thanked 71 Times in 44 Posts
Said "Welcome to Bananas" 6 Times
Default 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!
paulorph is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To paulorph

Join Bananas.org Today!

Are you a banana plant enthusiast? Then we hope you will join the community. You will gain access to post, create threads, private message, upload images, join groups and more.

Bananas.org is owned and operated by fellow banana plant enthusiasts. We strive to offer a non-commercial community to learn and share information. Receive all three issues from Volume 1 of Bananas Magazine with your membership:
   

Join Bananas.org Today! - Click Here


Sponsors

Old 02-11-2012, 01:28 PM   #2 (permalink)
Banned
 
Location: San Diego
Zone: 9-11
Name: Tony
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 18,429
BananaBucks : 938,289
Feedback: 8 / 100%
Said "Thanks" 3,210 Times
Was Thanked 20,591 Times in 7,760 Posts
Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2,716 Times
Default Re: Container banana soil.

Potting soil

Info:Soil - Bananas Wiki
sunfish is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To sunfish
Old 02-13-2012, 06:33 PM   #3 (permalink)
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 61
BananaBucks : 21,128
Feedback: 0 / 0%
Said "Thanks" 9 Times
Was Thanked 133 Times in 44 Posts
Said "Welcome to Bananas" 3 Times
Default 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
nullzero is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To nullzero
Old 02-13-2012, 07:49 PM   #4 (permalink)
 
paulorph's Avatar
 
Zone: 6
Name: Paulo
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 73
BananaBucks : 31,596
Feedback: 0 / 0%
Said "Thanks" 36 Times
Was Thanked 71 Times in 44 Posts
Said "Welcome to Bananas" 6 Times
Default 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!
paulorph is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To paulorph
Said thanks:
Old 02-14-2012, 02:02 AM   #5 (permalink)
Moderator

 
Gabe15's Avatar
 
Location: Oahu, Hawaii
Zone: 12
Name: Gabe
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,892
BananaBucks : 13,338,265
Feedback: 5 / 100%
Said "Thanks" 1 Times
Was Thanked 8,237 Times in 2,200 Posts
Said "Welcome to Bananas" 8 Times
Default 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.
Gabe15 is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To Gabe15
Sponsors

Old 02-14-2012, 02:14 AM   #6 (permalink)
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 61
BananaBucks : 21,128
Feedback: 0 / 0%
Said "Thanks" 9 Times
Was Thanked 133 Times in 44 Posts
Said "Welcome to Bananas" 3 Times
Default Re: Container banana soil.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gabe15 View Post
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.

Last edited by nullzero : 02-14-2012 at 02:18 AM.
nullzero is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To nullzero
Old 07-05-2016, 08:47 AM   #7 (permalink)
 
Island Brah's Avatar
 
Zone: 7b & 8a Border
Name: Island Brah
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 190
BananaBucks : 55,916
Feedback: 0 / 0%
Said "Thanks" 556 Times
Was Thanked 345 Times in 117 Posts
Said "Welcome to Bananas" 27 Times
Default Re: Container banana soil.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gabe15 View Post
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!!
__________________
Growing: Basjoo, Blue Java (The Real One), FHIA-01 American Goldfinger, Manzano, Tall Orinoco, Raja Puri (USDA TARS), Veinte Cohol (USDA TARS), Patupi, & SH-3640 High Noon (USDA TARS)

Last edited by Island Brah : 07-05-2016 at 09:13 AM.
Island Brah is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To Island Brah
Old 07-13-2016, 11:31 AM   #8 (permalink)
The Cat Whisperer
 
Snarkie's Avatar
 
Location: Charlotte, NC
Zone: 8b, pushing 9a
Name: D.A. Hänks
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 2,119
BananaBucks : 154,309
Feedback: 5 / 100%
Said "Thanks" 1,218 Times
Was Thanked 1,970 Times in 1,145 Posts
Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1,049 Times
Default 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?!"
Snarkie is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To Snarkie
Old 07-19-2016, 01:13 AM   #9 (permalink)
 
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 1
BananaBucks : 324
Feedback: 0 / 0%
Said "Thanks" 0 Times
Was Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times
Default 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?
Alicia is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To Alicia
Said thanks:
Old 11-05-2016, 06:03 PM   #10 (permalink)
 
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 85
BananaBucks : 20,551
Feedback: 0 / 0%
Said "Thanks" 69 Times
Was Thanked 80 Times in 43 Posts
Said "Welcome to Bananas" 3 Times
Default Re: Container banana soil.

Is cow manure/w compost any good for these?
Zombie Dave is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To Zombie Dave
Said thanks:
Old 11-05-2016, 06:05 PM   #11 (permalink)
 
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 85
BananaBucks : 20,551
Feedback: 0 / 0%
Said "Thanks" 69 Times
Was Thanked 80 Times in 43 Posts
Said "Welcome to Bananas" 3 Times
Default Re: Container banana soil.

Quote:
Originally Posted by sunfish View Post
Reading this now.
Zombie Dave is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To Zombie Dave
Old 11-08-2016, 08:43 PM   #12 (permalink)
 
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 54
BananaBucks : 55,372
Feedback: 0 / 0%
Said "Thanks" 33 Times
Was Thanked 51 Times in 25 Posts
Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2 Times
Default 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.
eharriett is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To eharriett
Said thanks:
Old 11-21-2016, 09:35 AM   #13 (permalink)
 
Island Brah's Avatar
 
Zone: 7b & 8a Border
Name: Island Brah
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 190
BananaBucks : 55,916
Feedback: 0 / 0%
Said "Thanks" 556 Times
Was Thanked 345 Times in 117 Posts
Said "Welcome to Bananas" 27 Times
Default Re: Container banana soil.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Zombie Dave View Post
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.
__________________
Growing: Basjoo, Blue Java (The Real One), FHIA-01 American Goldfinger, Manzano, Tall Orinoco, Raja Puri (USDA TARS), Veinte Cohol (USDA TARS), Patupi, & SH-3640 High Noon (USDA TARS)
Island Brah is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To Island Brah
Said thanks:
Old 11-21-2016, 09:52 AM   #14 (permalink)
The Cat Whisperer
 
Snarkie's Avatar
 
Location: Charlotte, NC
Zone: 8b, pushing 9a
Name: D.A. Hänks
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 2,119
BananaBucks : 154,309
Feedback: 5 / 100%
Said "Thanks" 1,218 Times
Was Thanked 1,970 Times in 1,145 Posts
Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1,049 Times
Default Re: Container banana soil.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Alicia View Post
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.
__________________
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?!"
Snarkie is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To Snarkie
Said thanks:
Old 02-02-2017, 03:57 PM   #15 (permalink)
 
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 21
BananaBucks : 2,565
Feedback: 1 / 100%
Said "Thanks" 18 Times
Was Thanked 21 Times in 10 Posts
Said "Welcome to Bananas" 31 Times
Default Re: Container banana soil.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gabe15 View Post
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
Bearskin10 is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To Bearskin10
Said thanks:
Old 02-02-2017, 04:50 PM   #16 (permalink)
The Cat Whisperer
 
Snarkie's Avatar
 
Location: Charlotte, NC
Zone: 8b, pushing 9a
Name: D.A. Hänks
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 2,119
BananaBucks : 154,309
Feedback: 5 / 100%
Said "Thanks" 1,218 Times
Was Thanked 1,970 Times in 1,145 Posts
Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1,049 Times
Default 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?!"
Snarkie is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To Snarkie
Said thanks:

Join Bananas.org Today!

Are you a banana plant enthusiast? Then we hope you will join the community. You will gain access to post, create threads, private message, upload images, join groups and more.

Bananas.org is owned and operated by fellow banana plant enthusiasts. We strive to offer a non-commercial community to learn and share information. Receive all three issues from Volume 1 of Bananas Magazine with your membership:
   

Join Bananas.org Today! - Click Here


Sponsors

Old 02-03-2017, 08:38 AM   #17 (permalink)
CraigSS
 
CraigSS's Avatar
 
Location: Smith Mountain Lake; SW VA
Zone: 7
Name: CraigSS
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 238
BananaBucks : 15,752
Feedback: 0 / 0%
Said "Thanks" 365 Times
Was Thanked 323 Times in 146 Posts
Said "Welcome to Bananas" 172 Times
Unhappy Container banana soil.

Quote:
Originally Posted by nullzero View Post
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?
__________________
Find me on the map!
CraigSS is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To CraigSS
Old 02-03-2017, 09:14 AM   #18 (permalink)
banana cereal killer
 
beam2050's Avatar
 
Location: middleburg fl.
Zone: 9b-8a
Name: walkinbeam
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 2,415
BananaBucks : 816
Feedback: 0 / 0%
Said "Thanks" 10,623 Times
Was Thanked 3,347 Times in 1,542 Posts
Said "Welcome to Bananas" 815 Times
Default Re: Container banana soil.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bearskin10 View Post
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?
__________________
...................................................

npk of wood ash 0/1/3 to 0/3/7

npk of banana leaf ash 1.75/0.75/0.5
beam2050 is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To beam2050
Old 02-03-2017, 09:33 AM   #19 (permalink)
 
subsonicdrone's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,289
BananaBucks : 13,282
Feedback: 3 / 100%
Said "Thanks" 4,635 Times
Was Thanked 1,822 Times in 624 Posts
Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times
Default 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)
subsonicdrone is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To subsonicdrone
Old 02-03-2017, 02:50 PM   #20 (permalink)
 
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 21
BananaBucks : 2,565
Feedback: 1 / 100%
Said "Thanks" 18 Times
Was Thanked 21 Times in 10 Posts
Said "Welcome to Bananas" 31 Times
Default Re: Container banana soil.

Quote:
Originally Posted by beam2050 View Post
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.....
Bearskin10 is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To Bearskin10
Said thanks:
Sponsors

Reply   Email this Page Email this Page






Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
2 new forums today! Banana Plant Health Topics & Container Grown Banana Plants MediaHound Bananas.org Site News 12 06-13-2012 08:51 AM
Which Dwarf banana would best for container hammer Main Banana Discussion 16 08-22-2010 03:11 PM
container banana Mexicali Zacarias Container Grown Banana Plants 5 08-09-2010 03:24 PM
7 Gallon Container Banana Losing Leaves buffy Main Banana Discussion 4 09-15-2009 12:26 PM
Container banana update frankthetank Container Grown Banana Plants 7 12-05-2008 10:32 PM


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:26 PM.





All content © Bananas.org & the respective author.