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 01-18-2017, 03:22 AM   #1 (permalink)
 
Location: Tioga TX.
Zone: 8a
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 34
BananaBucks : 19,719
Feedback: 0 / 0%
Said "Thanks" 41 Times
Was Thanked 18 Times in 13 Posts
Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times
Default container for dwarf cavendish

I am considering planting some dwarf cavendish bananas in containers. What size container would I need to not stunt the growth of the plant. The goal is to allow the tree to get as big as it would in the ground. I live in zone 8a so I am thinking that my winters are a little too cold to plant in the ground. I do have a pallet jack, so I can bring a big container built on a pallet into the garage in the winter. Where I am at mid 20's are the normal lows. Every now and then like once every 10 years we see low teens, our record low is 8 degrees, but anything below mid 20's is unusual.

I was thinking about some heat tape and heaping mulch on top of it during the winter if I put the plants in the ground. I have 6 plants about 6 inches high, got to figure out what to do for these little guys.


Any help is appreciated.
greenfumb is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To greenfumb

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 01-18-2017, 09:58 AM   #2 (permalink)
banana wrangler wanabee
 
Location: New London, CT
Name: Rick
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 66
BananaBucks : 23,238
Feedback: 0 / 0%
Said "Thanks" 83 Times
Was Thanked 73 Times in 36 Posts
Said "Welcome to Bananas" 3 Times
Default Re: container for dwarf cavendish

I'll be interested to see what response you get. I'm in zone 6B, and I'm probably going to try burying heating tape in the ground, and planting a banana over it with heaps of mulch to see if it survives our winters, sometimes as low as -10°F. I'll probably be trying one indoors too.
RRedBBeard is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To RRedBBeard
Said thanks:
Old 01-18-2017, 11:10 AM   #3 (permalink)
 
kaczercat's Avatar
 
Location: Southern ON
Zone: 5b 9b
Name: Matt
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,874
BananaBucks : 219,377
Feedback: 3 / 100%
Said "Thanks" 3,116 Times
Was Thanked 2,111 Times in 750 Posts
Said "Welcome to Bananas" 11 Times
Default Re: container for dwarf cavendish

2 to 3 feet across and deep should be plenty of room for a mature dwarf cavendish. For now you can put them in 8-10 inch pots until spring. Unfortunately cavendish does not put up well with the cold. Mine started to show damage at around around (36 or 38*F).
__________________
Matt

Last edited by kaczercat : 01-20-2017 at 10:09 AM.
kaczercat is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To kaczercat
Said thanks:
Old 01-18-2017, 10:20 PM   #4 (permalink)
container grower
 
cincinnana's Avatar
 
Location: Southwest Ohio U.S.A.🇺🇸
Zone: HZ 6/5 Microclimate - Elevation 750 feet- 228.60 meters
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 8,771
BananaBucks : 1,027
Feedback: 7 / 100%
Said "Thanks" 3,860 Times
Was Thanked 11,691 Times in 4,865 Posts
Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1,943 Times
Default Re: container for dwarf cavendish

Quote:
Originally Posted by greenfumb View Post
I am considering planting some dwarf cavendish bananas in containers. What size container would I need to not stunt the growth of the plant. The goal is to allow the tree to get as big as it would in the ground. I live in zone 8a so I am thinking that my winters are a little too cold to plant in the ground. I do have a pallet jack, so I can bring a big container built on a pallet into the garage in the winter. Where I am at mid 20's are the normal lows. Every now and then like once every 10 years we see low teens, our record low is 8 degrees, but anything below mid 20's is unusual.

I was thinking about some heat tape and heaping mulch on top of it during the winter if I put the plants in the ground. I have 6 plants about 6 inches high, got to figure out what to do for these little guys.


Any help is appreciated.
Green..

this could help.

Progress the growth of your plants using good general gardening practices for small tropical plants. This will apply to bananas as well.

Below is a visual of your container size throughout the process......and you can even get 1x larger at a 48 gal containers if you wish....your choice.

Weight does matter with folks who cannot move the heavy containers......your lucky, you can move yours.

Front row size of container is 1-2 gallon container.

Back row container size is 24-+ gallon size container.

You can go larger if you wish.

The only thing is your inspiration.
.

Progression in size of containers

by
Hostafarian
,
on Flickr

.
Sample of resize method when repotting(up pot) your plant to a larger container.

Repotting a plant

by
Hostafarian
,
on Flickr
__________________
🌴

Last edited by cincinnana : 01-18-2017 at 11:34 PM.
cincinnana is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To cincinnana
Old 01-19-2017, 08:32 AM   #5 (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
Smile container for dwarf cavendish

When replanting a banana plant from a smaller container to a larger on can you bring the soil level higher up the "P" stem (around the "P" stem) than what it was in the smaller pot?

Craig
__________________
Find me on the map!
CraigSS is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To CraigSS
Said thanks:
Sponsors

Old 01-19-2017, 08:49 AM   #6 (permalink)
container grower
 
cincinnana's Avatar
 
Location: Southwest Ohio U.S.A.🇺🇸
Zone: HZ 6/5 Microclimate - Elevation 750 feet- 228.60 meters
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 8,771
BananaBucks : 1,027
Feedback: 7 / 100%
Said "Thanks" 3,860 Times
Was Thanked 11,691 Times in 4,865 Posts
Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1,943 Times
Smile Re: container for dwarf cavendish

Quote:
Originally Posted by CraigSS View Post
When replanting a banana plant from a smaller container to a larger on can you bring the soil level higher up the "P" stem (around the "P" stem) than what it was in the smaller pot?

Craig
No, I will raise the plant to fit the new container keeping the stem at the same height as it was in the smaller container.
There are instances when I would do this though.....I will find a photo to show you and post it.


The photo in the post could be little misleading because I just set the smaller container inside the larger one to compare diameters for the repot..

.
Position of the stem before soilless mix is added. Kept as many roots as possible

by Hostafarian,
on Flickr
__________________
🌴
cincinnana is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To cincinnana
Old 01-19-2017, 06:37 PM   #7 (permalink)
RipsawFF
 
Ripsaw's Avatar
 
Location: SW Florida
Zone: 10
Name: Ripsaw
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 47
BananaBucks : 2,664
Feedback: 0 / 0%
Said "Thanks" 115 Times
Was Thanked 71 Times in 35 Posts
Said "Welcome to Bananas" 4 Times
Cold Re: container for dwarf cavendish

I've used different sizes and have used cactus potting soil for smaller plants and then mixing some good organic soil and sand. Just make sure the pots are well drained. Otherwise, in my zone, I only use pots to transfer the nanas temporarily.
When I lived in Lakeland, FL, I planted on the East side of the house which was sheltered from cold winds. Bananas and plantains did real well. Never blown over, enough sun, and I threw lots of compost on the soil. I used weed block and mulch to insulate roots, and when corms came up, just sliced a hole for them to punch through. That was zone 8 or 9, I believe. I am in 10+- now. Lakeland got freezes and I can even remember it snowing there 3 times although it melted when it hit the ground. The citrus grove owners sprayed water on the citrus trees during freezes to insulate them from the damaging cold and then the water would freeze on them (don't do this to bananas!). Quite a sight even for Central Florida.

Last edited by Ripsaw : 01-25-2017 at 11:29 AM.
Ripsaw is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To Ripsaw
Old 01-19-2017, 11:58 PM   #8 (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
Smile container for dwarf cavendish

Thanks cincinnana.

Craig
__________________
Find me on the map!
CraigSS is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To CraigSS
Said thanks:
Old 01-20-2017, 01:23 AM   #9 (permalink)
 
Location: Tioga TX.
Zone: 8a
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 34
BananaBucks : 19,719
Feedback: 0 / 0%
Said "Thanks" 41 Times
Was Thanked 18 Times in 13 Posts
Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times
Default Re: container for dwarf cavendish

I have some plastic containers that large trees about 5 inches in diameter were planted in. The trees were being planted at a new shopping center. They threw the containers away. I could only get 3 of them in the trunk of my Ford Crown Victoria, they are pretty big. Probably 30 x 30 inches, will that hold a mature Dwarf cavendish without stunting it's growth.

I have a sun room that is about 14 x 30 feet, I am thinking about using as a green house. I am not looking forward to the winter heating cost, but I guess that is just part of the game. I am thinking about putting the dwarf cavendish bananas in the sun room. I can't help but think that they would grow better outside where they could get more sun. The sun room is on the west side of the house, it would get more sun on the south side of the house.

My number one problem is I dont know bananas well, so I was hoping for some advice on where and how these cavendish do well. They do look like they have small root systems. That makes them look like they will do well in less than huge containers.
greenfumb is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To greenfumb
Said thanks:
Old 01-20-2017, 01:16 PM   #10 (permalink)
 
kaczercat's Avatar
 
Location: Southern ON
Zone: 5b 9b
Name: Matt
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,874
BananaBucks : 219,377
Feedback: 3 / 100%
Said "Thanks" 3,116 Times
Was Thanked 2,111 Times in 750 Posts
Said "Welcome to Bananas" 11 Times
Default Re: container for dwarf cavendish

sorry double post :P
__________________
Matt
kaczercat is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To kaczercat
Old 01-20-2017, 01:17 PM   #11 (permalink)
 
kaczercat's Avatar
 
Location: Southern ON
Zone: 5b 9b
Name: Matt
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,874
BananaBucks : 219,377
Feedback: 3 / 100%
Said "Thanks" 3,116 Times
Was Thanked 2,111 Times in 750 Posts
Said "Welcome to Bananas" 11 Times
Default Re: container for dwarf cavendish

They will like the sunroom over winters. Let the pot dry out a bit before you re water. As far as the container goes smaller container smaller and less fruit.
In the summer place it in the sunniest spot in your yard water well every few days and fertilize bi weekly/monthly depends what you use. Those 30 inch containers should be fine.
__________________
Matt

Last edited by kaczercat : 03-01-2017 at 04:39 PM.
kaczercat is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To kaczercat
Old 01-20-2017, 10:51 PM   #12 (permalink)
 
Location: Tioga TX.
Zone: 8a
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 34
BananaBucks : 19,719
Feedback: 0 / 0%
Said "Thanks" 41 Times
Was Thanked 18 Times in 13 Posts
Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times
Default Re: container for dwarf cavendish

Where is the best place to buy the dwarf cavendish plants. I bought some off of ebay, and they are not doing as well as I thought they should.
greenfumb is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To greenfumb
Old 01-21-2017, 10:33 AM   #13 (permalink)
container grower
 
cincinnana's Avatar
 
Location: Southwest Ohio U.S.A.🇺🇸
Zone: HZ 6/5 Microclimate - Elevation 750 feet- 228.60 meters
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 8,771
BananaBucks : 1,027
Feedback: 7 / 100%
Said "Thanks" 3,860 Times
Was Thanked 11,691 Times in 4,865 Posts
Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1,943 Times
Default Re: container for dwarf cavendish

Quote:
Originally Posted by greenfumb View Post
Where is the best place to buy the dwarf cavendish plants. I bought some off of ebay, and they are not doing as well as I thought they should.
Green,

If you had just purchased your plants in the last few months expect minimal/or no growth over the winter in your zone 8a indoor environment even if you have them under lights.

Once you can bring them outdoors in the fun sun (after they are hardened off) your plants will reward you with better growth.

Unfortunately once the plant gets growing well our season is over and fall sets in and you have to start over again .

Possibly in zone 8a expect your plants to be mature enough in 3-4 +- years to flower and fruit.
If you lived in a tropical climate the time would be much shorter.

For additional banana plants place a post in the banana plants wanted section of the forum for the plants you seek or just inquire on another post.

Keep in mind it is probably too cold to ship plants now and you will have to wait till spring.

Other outlets to purchase plants are big box stores (especially in the south), Craigslist, and quality online nurseries.
.
__________________
🌴

Last edited by cincinnana : 01-21-2017 at 10:37 AM.
cincinnana is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To cincinnana
Said thanks:
Old 01-21-2017, 08:04 PM   #14 (permalink)
 
Location: Tioga TX.
Zone: 8a
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 34
BananaBucks : 19,719
Feedback: 0 / 0%
Said "Thanks" 41 Times
Was Thanked 18 Times in 13 Posts
Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times
Default Re: container for dwarf cavendish

Thanks for the reply. I think I am going to put them in the sun room in a a large box I construct. The box will be open to the sun in a corner where they will get a lot more light. The main reason for the box is I am going to run a thermostat and a heater inside of it, I am thinking 80 degrees. So the box is basically an enclosure to hold heat in for the plants, but open to the windows in a corner where they get max light.
greenfumb is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To greenfumb
Said thanks:
Old 01-25-2017, 11:31 AM   #15 (permalink)
RipsawFF
 
Ripsaw's Avatar
 
Location: SW Florida
Zone: 10
Name: Ripsaw
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 47
BananaBucks : 2,664
Feedback: 0 / 0%
Said "Thanks" 115 Times
Was Thanked 71 Times in 35 Posts
Said "Welcome to Bananas" 4 Times
Cold Re: container for dwarf cavendish

Quote:
Originally Posted by greenfumb View Post
Thanks for the reply. I think I am going to put them in the sun room in a a large box I construct. The box will be open to the sun in a corner where they will get a lot more light. The main reason for the box is I am going to run a thermostat and a heater inside of it, I am thinking 80 degrees. So the box is basically an enclosure to hold heat in for the plants, but open to the windows in a corner where they get max light.
I was wondering if anyone used grow lights to make sure the bananas get enough light? Never tried that but have used them on other plants.
Ripsaw is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To Ripsaw
Said thanks:
Old 01-25-2017, 02:20 PM   #16 (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
Smile container for dwarf cavendish

Green,
I am using T-5 Fluorescent 4' light indoors. and my plants are growing great.

Craig
__________________
Find me on the map!
CraigSS is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To CraigSS
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 01-25-2017, 11:34 PM   #17 (permalink)
 
Location: Tioga TX.
Zone: 8a
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 34
BananaBucks : 19,719
Feedback: 0 / 0%
Said "Thanks" 41 Times
Was Thanked 18 Times in 13 Posts
Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times
Default Re: container for dwarf cavendish

I have been using LED lighting, and they dont seem to like it.
greenfumb is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To greenfumb
Said thanks:
Old 01-26-2017, 08:07 AM   #18 (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
Smile container for dwarf cavendish

I use LEDs for my veggies. But I am using 4' T-5 Fluorescents for the Bananas. If you look at my picture gallery you will see they are progressing just fine. I have the lighting hung on the wall vertically every 2' on slides that I can raise as the plants get taller. They are putting out leaves appr. every 2 weeks. I give them 1/2 gallon of water every week. The room is kept at 70*f @ 60% RH. Even the citrus and coffee trees are doing well under this lighting and they are mostly covered by the banana leaves.

Craig
__________________
Find me on the map!
CraigSS is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To CraigSS
Said thanks:
Old 03-28-2017, 05:50 AM   #19 (permalink)
 
Location: Tioga TX.
Zone: 8a
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 34
BananaBucks : 19,719
Feedback: 0 / 0%
Said "Thanks" 41 Times
Was Thanked 18 Times in 13 Posts
Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times
Default Re: container for dwarf cavendish

I have been using 40 watt CFL (compact florescent lights) the spiral types. I picked some up on ebay for about $2.50 each and the banana's love them. I am getting a new leaf every 7 to 12 days on the 4 plants I have under a pair of these lights. They are small TC plants I picked up two at the end of January, and two more mid February. Two are dwarf cavendish, the other two are dwarf orinico (I dont know if I spelled that correctly) I have other plants I am trying to use the natural sun light in my sun room for their lighting.

I am also wondering about night time outside temperatures. Where I am located most nights are in the 60's a few in the 50's, we did have one 49 degree night a few days ago. I want to get them outside to take advantage of the sun, but I am hesitant because I dont know if the outside temperatures would be detrimental to their growth. Any advice there would be appreciated, thanks in advance for any help.
greenfumb is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To greenfumb
Said thanks:
Old 03-28-2017, 08:13 AM   #20 (permalink)
container grower
 
cincinnana's Avatar
 
Location: Southwest Ohio U.S.A.🇺🇸
Zone: HZ 6/5 Microclimate - Elevation 750 feet- 228.60 meters
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 8,771
BananaBucks : 1,027
Feedback: 7 / 100%
Said "Thanks" 3,860 Times
Was Thanked 11,691 Times in 4,865 Posts
Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1,943 Times
Smile Re: container for dwarf cavendish

Quote:
Originally Posted by greenfumb View Post

I am also wondering about night time outside temperatures. Where I am located most nights are in the 60's a few in the 50's, we did have one 49 degree night a few days ago. I want to get them outside to take advantage of the sun, but I am hesitant because I dont know if the outside temperatures would be detrimental to their growth. Any advice there would be appreciated, thanks in advance for any help.
Here are some tips on these transitional spring days...when you want to move your plants out.

First, your average temps are high enough to bring your plants outside.
Your tender overwintered plants usually will sunburn in direct sunlight....keep them in partial light for a week or two.

Do not expect rapid growth in your current cooler temps and keep your watering to a minimum.
Your tc plants will need some extra hardening off care.


If it get too cold in high 30's use that skid jack to bring them in the garage.

Site your plants outside so the containers get some PARTIAL sun which will heat up the container. Enough sun is needed to keep the container warmer than the air temp. This will mimic warmer ground temperature. Do not let the container overheat

You may also site your outdoor plants close to a south wall or or a heatsink paver patio to compensate for the cooler nights.


I have plants outside on pallets ready to move indoors if the temp dips into the 30's.
Some plants are also along a foundation wall
My temps are 40-55 and wet which is still better than the basement.

There are a number of Texas growers whom keep plants in the ground year round... they should be answering soon and offer even deeper insight.
__________________
🌴
cincinnana is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To cincinnana
Said thanks:
Sponsors

Reply   Email this Page Email this Page

Previous Thread: PH Meter
Next Thread: Alternate between container and ground?





Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 2 (0 members and 2 guests)
 
Thread Tools


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Any Advice for Container Grown Cavendish? A942533 Container Grown Banana Plants 3 09-14-2020 06:52 PM
Feeding either a Super Dwarf Cavendish or just a regular Dwarf Cavendish BillynJennifer Container Grown Banana Plants 1 04-30-2011 05:04 PM
Dwarf Cavendish fruiting in container. john_ny Main Banana Discussion 4 10-05-2010 06:56 AM
Which Dwarf banana would best for container hammer Main Banana Discussion 16 08-22-2010 03:11 PM
Have Dwarf Cavendish & Super Dwarf Cavendish byterunner Banana Plants For Sale & Auction 0 04-28-2007 08:29 PM


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:16 PM.





All content © Bananas.org & the respective author.