CraigSS

I made a big mistake. And hopefully caught it in time. I have had 6 banana plants in big containers for two years. Watered constantly, fertilized regularly and talked to them daily.

But have not checked the PH in the soils within the last year.
Noticed leaves showing some yellowing, so I checked the PH of all 6 pots.
All were around 4.5. What a big mistake on my part. Hopefully bringing the PH back up slowly will make my Bananas grow and resume their bright green coloring.

Don't forget to check that PH...…………

Craig

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Island Brah

I'm curious to know what you're using to check the PH in the soils? Also, what is your method to lower/raise PH in your pots?

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SixtySix

Wow. That's really acidic.

I guess I should search for pH requirements.

How are you raising the pH? I know in my pool I add Borax, but I'm not sure that would be a good idea for container plants.

CraigSS

I used two different types of electronic meters.
But just to be safe I also bought a test kit, just to make sure.
All confirmed I have neglected my babies. 4.5 PH is a bad thing.
I am using Hydrated Lime is a very powdery form mixed with water. From what I read the Hydrated Lime will soak down to the roots deeper than just lime.

I just do not know how long I have to wait to see any results and/or when to check the soil for an adjusted reading.

Craig

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SixtySix

Please keep us updated.

A quick Google search leads me to believe that soil pH meters sold to gardeners aren't particularly accurate. Any chance we can convince you to send a bag of soil to be tested?

CraigSS

I also bought and used a soil test kit and it confirmed the low PH.

Craig

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edwmax

The lime should work for you. Getting the Ph up to 5.5 to 6 should be tolerable for the banana plants. The real question is 'what made the pot soil acidic?' .... Commercial potting mix is neutral ( Ph 7). ... Is your water acidic and needs per-treating? ... Is the fertilizer you are using high in sulfur?



I also had this problem a while back and never found the cause. The plants were not real big (2 ft), so re-potting to fresh soil & washing the corms was my solution at the time.

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CraigSS

Ed,
The only thing I can think of is that for the past two years the plants have been watered by well water (do not know the PH but should check). The pots have drain ports two inches off the bottom of 24 inch high pots so they can not get water logged. Excess water goes into a 5 gallon drum in basement that I use to water other plants. I am using Grow More 16.8.24 which I do not think should have caused the imbalance. I know the soil was a neutral PH when I started (April 2016). I checked before last summer and it was around 6. So whatever made that kind of change happened in just over a year. So I will check my well water (not quite sure how to do that seeing the meters I have say not to and the soil tester is for soils). I will check with farm store to see if they can just check water.
Any idea as to how long it may take to see the soil improvement?

The directions on the bag said to use 1 table spoon per gallon and then sprinkle some around the base of the plant to let it soak down deeper into the soil. I have an automatic spray that comes on every two days to dampen the surface of the soil which should take care of the product soaking into the soil.

Craig

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Jose263

A little too late if lime has been added to the pots - those electronic probes are maybe not precise but fairly accurate. A reading of 4.5 ph is not good for nanas but great for blueberries.

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edwmax

There's not enough soil in the pot to be sending some off to be PH tested. By the time you replace what was taken out, a test would be useless. Besides ,,, at the price of a test just buy a new Banana plant, pot & soil.


One needs to develop some skills in horticulture or growing Bananas an't going to be a cheap hobby as someone else said.

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HMelendez

Woohoo! .....Words to the MAX!.....And the best!, they all are completely true!......

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CraigSS

Well first I like Blueberries also. But the Banana plants are too big to change into a small bush.
I have not given up on my Banana (6) plants. They have too much time in growing into the size that they are, putting out a bunch of pups and YES I am still in the Learning stage.


Craig

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beam2050

gotta start somewhere!

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

npk of banana leaf ash 1.75/0.75/0.5