Mike717

Help I live in Los Angeles California I recently acquired a very young Dwarf Brazilian tree as a gift. The only thing I have ever grown is tomatoes! But I would love to keep this tree alive and posable even have it fruit! But it needs a bigger pot and I don't know what size to pot it in, I have been thinking about the plastic tubs with rop handles (seen it in another post on this site) but can it live it's whole life in that? And I also would like to know what to plant it in, brand names and mixture instructions would be very helpful. I look forward to your responses any help would be greatly appreciated!

kubali

Mike the container with the handles is perfect for the plant, unless you can put it in the ground. I'm not sure if it freezes there or not. And for the soil. compost, manure and some perlite just make sure it drains well,
If not perfect...the best soil mix

cincinnana

Here is a photo of the progression of containers which might suit your needs.
but this refers to small plants.
Pot sizes to plant by Hostafarian, on Flickr

.For bigger plants
Up potting Progression of using larger pots by Hostafarian, on Flickr
..For soil mix
.Basjoo pups in container with type of mix I use . by Hostafarian, on Flickr
.For expected root growth.
Untitled by Hostafarian, on Flickr..

__________________

Mike717

Thanks for the grate advice Kubali! The ground does not freeze here but I am keeping it in a pot because I rent and if I ever move I want to take the tree with me. Thanks for the soil advice I took a look at your pictures in your profile you definitely look like you know what you're talking about! Any specific brands that I should look for?

Mike717

Thanks cincinnana! That is a great illustration for potting, vary helpful!

Mike717

Do you think the Dwarf Brazilian will do well being in a container for it whole life? Will it fruit?

cincinnana

Sorry cannot answer that accurately.
Best answered by your fellow Californians.

However a few members locally( zone 6) do put that plant in the ground and dig them up in the fall with great growth results.

Mine are in 3 gal containers, they are still juvenile.
However my friends want me to plant these in the ground...

Members in your zone will chime in and help out.....

__________________

Lau

Maybe you can put it in the ground and wait until it flowers. If you have to move dig up the pups and large plants and put them into containers. I have used rope buckets and even a trash can. I have dug up several large plants and put them into the rope buckets and they produce fruit. After it produces fruit cut it off and new pups will come up. good luck

Mike717

Wow thanks a lot Lau! I really appreciate the information alot!! (I know nothing about bananas but I really want to give this tree a good life) your trees look grate in your photos! Any suggestions for soil to use in the pots? Any fertilizer advice? So far I have just been watering it when it feels dry.

Lau

I let the pots dry out a little before I give them more water. I don't know that much about Potting soil, so I buy the $10.00 bags from Costco. You can always buy a $10.00 bag of potting soil and add more stuff to it before you put it in the buckets.

crazy banana

Do you have a moving date? If you are not planning to move in the near future, I would plant it in the ground. My Dwarf Brazilian grew from tiny corm to flowering stage in 16 month. By then it had multiple pups.