Newbie, growing a SDC in Massachusetts

tommyg · 09-26-2011, 10:28 PM

I'm pretty pumped as I just got in both of Super Dwarf Cavendish banana plants yesterday.

I've never grown anything before, but have always appreciated plants and love fruits!

After some relatives and friends started some vegetable gardens I decided to give this a try. With any luck I'll get some fruits down the road and at the very least a nice looking plant.

The main challenge here is the cold winters in Massachusetts.

I do have a heated sunroom I'm going to use that has windows on three sides which will be warmer than leaving the plants outside.

Here are a couple pics. #1 has 10 leaves and is about 10 inches #2 has 7 leaves and is about 10 inches as well.

Both look good and didn't get much abuse during shipping.

This is plant #1

This is plant #2

So as you can see they are both relatively healthy.
I have both of them in 10 inch pots.

I used premium miracle grow potting soil, water, and some plant food as well.

Plant #1 seems to have straightened itself a little bit.
Plant #2 is adjusting well.

Today is day 2 for plant #1 and day 1 for plant #2.

Can't wait to watch these plants grow.

Its been fun looking at everyone's pics on here and it looks like some of you are also documenting your SDC growing from a small plant.

tbaleno · 09-27-2011, 09:21 PM

I'm not sure, but I believe I heard that miracle grow potting soil holds moisture. So I would keep an eye on the soil and make sure you don't over water. I use cactus/palm mix because it drains well.

tommyg · 09-27-2011, 09:26 PM

Ill keep an eye on it. After watering it drains in 10 seconds.
Thanks.

tommyg · 09-27-2011, 09:51 PM

After seeing Bill MA and his musa basjoo trees thriving in his yard in MA I have decided to order one for myself. I plan to grow it slowly during the fall and winter, some of spring and then plant it in my back yard. I have plenty of space in my yard for the basjoo to get plenty of sun light. I'll probably put the SDCs outside as well, but keep in them in pots.

tommyg · 10-05-2011, 11:14 AM

I got my basjoo two days ago off of Amazon.
It came with some of the leafs bent as it came in a somewhat flat box.
I hope it recoops soon, but does look healthy.

tommyg · 10-11-2011, 11:13 PM

Somehow I was able to nurse it back to health. It is trying to grow a leaf.

tommyg · 10-13-2011, 09:19 PM

I'll try to post a pic tomorrow or Saturday so you guys can see how it is now.
Also I had a question, which might seem dumb, but ..... does the musa basjoo grow faster than a dwarf cavendish given the same care and conditions?

TalyMon · 11-10-2011, 09:35 AM

How's your Basjoo coming along? Curious, is this going to be container grown or to be planted during the warm season. It will deffinately grow faster and LARGER than the SDC. You aren't going to see any rapid growth over the winter, but once put out it will probably surprise you. I was considering the Basjoo, but I am stricly a container grower and felt it will be to large of a plant in the long run for me, I currently have DC thats like 20 yrs old and some young ones started from seed late August ~ Dasycarpa(velutina), Laterita, and Ornata. Choose these species for growth habits, afraid Basjoo would get much to large for the winter hual-in. Either way keep posting.

saltydad · 11-10-2011, 04:36 PM

If you use MG planting soil, I amend it with 1/3 perlite. I have noted that more of my failures over the winter had straight MG; since I've changed mortality due to rot has plummeted.

tommyg · 11-10-2011, 04:56 PM

I have them in pots.they are growing slow but well. Check out my blogg listed below this post.

tommyg · 11-10-2011, 06:55 PM

You can always trim these down if you need to.
Im growing them in pots now and then leaving them outsideafter next season.

The Hollyberry Lady · 11-10-2011, 07:06 PM

No offense to anyone at all but I really hate Miracle Grow soil and have had more problems with it than it was worth. It just sucks, frankly.

I use a soil-less medium that I buy by the bale at a greenhouse. It's sterile and fast-draining. All my plants and seedlings just love it...including my Super Dwarf Cavendish. I use Sunshine Professional Mix #4 and #1.

There are certain things you go cheap on, and certain things you don't. Put out for a good quality soil and you'll have less problems and nicer plants.

I pay around 25 bucks for the bale and 30 with tax, but it's 117 litres of soil so it lasts forever.

: )

tommyg · 11-10-2011, 07:10 PM

No problem. Im doing well with the mg. I guess ive been lucky. Using the retains moisture one and added a lot of perlite.

The Hollyberry Lady · 11-10-2011, 07:36 PM

Well I am also a firm believer that gardeners should garden how they darn well please!

There's never only one way of doing things when it comes to gardening, and don't listen to people who tell you otherwise. It all about personal choice and preference.

My best teachers in gardening anyway, were always found in my failures...not other gardeners. You learn pretty fast about what's good and what isn't when stuff dies.

: )

tommyg · 11-10-2011, 08:24 PM

quick update.

This is my other basjoo.http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LQ7wTFSJLq...0/THP_7599.jpg

The color is slightly off as I keep taking pics after work and its already dark.

But you can see that they are doing well and are both pushing out a leaf each. These are in 8 inch pots. MG soil, some extra perlite and I feed them once a week with 10-10-10.

tommyg · 11-10-2011, 08:25 PM

This is my first SDC plant. Its almost done opening its new leaf. Today that leaf is open.

tmc2009 · 12-23-2011, 01:44 AM

Hi, Your plants look healthy. I just separated a couple of pups from my Novak Super Dwarf from Edible Landscaping. I have the main plant in storage in the cellar so I thought I'd cut some off and pot them up for insurance in case the main plant doesn't make it.

tommyg · 12-31-2011, 10:55 PM

Thanks. Mine are getting a little cold now and need more water. But they are still doing well.

Iunepeace · 04-25-2012, 02:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tommyg

Thanks. Mine are getting a little cold now and need more water. But they are still doing well.

Nice SDCs! How are they doing now Tommy?

09-26-2011, 10:28 PM	#1 (permalink)
tommyg sunroom gardener Location: Worcester, MA Find me on the map! Zone: 6 Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 252 BananaBucks : 44,946 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 83 Times Was Thanked 234 Times in 165 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 13 Times	Newbie, growing a SDC in Massachusetts I'm pretty pumped as I just got in both of Super Dwarf Cavendish banana plants yesterday. I've never grown anything before, but have always appreciated plants and love fruits! After some relatives and friends started some vegetable gardens I decided to give this a try. With any luck I'll get some fruits down the road and at the very least a nice looking plant. The main challenge here is the cold winters in Massachusetts. I do have a heated sunroom I'm going to use that has windows on three sides which will be warmer than leaving the plants outside. Here are a couple pics. #1 has 10 leaves and is about 10 inches #2 has 7 leaves and is about 10 inches as well. Both look good and didn't get much abuse during shipping. This is plant #1 This is plant #2 So as you can see they are both relatively healthy. I have both of them in 10 inch pots. I used premium miracle grow potting soil, water, and some plant food as well. Plant #1 seems to have straightened itself a little bit. Plant #2 is adjusting well. Today is day 2 for plant #1 and day 1 for plant #2. Can't wait to watch these plants grow. Its been fun looking at everyone's pics on here and it looks like some of you are also documenting your SDC growing from a small plant. __________________ Blog: http://sunroomgardening.blogspot.com Photography biz:http://www.tomasharanphotography.com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/tomasharanphotography Worcester, MA

09-27-2011, 09:21 PM	#2 (permalink)
tbaleno tbaleno's Photo Gallery Location: Central Massachusetts Find me on the map! Zone: 5b Name: Tom Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 400 BananaBucks : 20,857 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 6 Times Was Thanked 521 Times in 335 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 25 Times	Re: Newbie, growing a SDC in Massachusetts I'm not sure, but I believe I heard that miracle grow potting soil holds moisture. So I would keep an eye on the soil and make sure you don't over water. I use cactus/palm mix because it drains well. __________________ My website: http://www.mysimplehomegarden.com

09-27-2011, 09:26 PM	#3 (permalink)
tommyg sunroom gardener Location: Worcester, MA Find me on the map! Zone: 6 Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 252 BananaBucks : 44,946 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 83 Times Was Thanked 234 Times in 165 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 13 Times	Re: Newbie, growing a SDC in Massachusetts Ill keep an eye on it. After watering it drains in 10 seconds. Thanks. __________________ Blog: http://sunroomgardening.blogspot.com Photography biz:http://www.tomasharanphotography.com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/tomasharanphotography Worcester, MA

09-27-2011, 09:51 PM	#4 (permalink)
tommyg sunroom gardener Location: Worcester, MA Find me on the map! Zone: 6 Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 252 BananaBucks : 44,946 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 83 Times Was Thanked 234 Times in 165 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 13 Times	Re: Newbie, growing a SDC in Massachusetts After seeing Bill MA and his musa basjoo trees thriving in his yard in MA I have decided to order one for myself. I plan to grow it slowly during the fall and winter, some of spring and then plant it in my back yard. I have plenty of space in my yard for the basjoo to get plenty of sun light. I'll probably put the SDCs outside as well, but keep in them in pots. __________________ Blog: http://sunroomgardening.blogspot.com Photography biz:http://www.tomasharanphotography.com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/tomasharanphotography Worcester, MA

10-05-2011, 11:14 AM	#5 (permalink)
tommyg sunroom gardener Location: Worcester, MA Find me on the map! Zone: 6 Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 252 BananaBucks : 44,946 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 83 Times Was Thanked 234 Times in 165 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 13 Times	Re: Newbie, growing a SDC in Massachusetts I got my basjoo two days ago off of Amazon. It came with some of the leafs bent as it came in a somewhat flat box. I hope it recoops soon, but does look healthy. __________________ Blog: http://sunroomgardening.blogspot.com Photography biz:http://www.tomasharanphotography.com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/tomasharanphotography Worcester, MA

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10-11-2011, 11:13 PM	#6 (permalink)
tommyg sunroom gardener Location: Worcester, MA Find me on the map! Zone: 6 Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 252 BananaBucks : 44,946 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 83 Times Was Thanked 234 Times in 165 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 13 Times	Re: Newbie, growing a SDC in Massachusetts Somehow I was able to nurse it back to health. It is trying to grow a leaf. __________________ Blog: http://sunroomgardening.blogspot.com Photography biz:http://www.tomasharanphotography.com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/tomasharanphotography Worcester, MA

10-13-2011, 09:19 PM	#7 (permalink)
tommyg sunroom gardener Location: Worcester, MA Find me on the map! Zone: 6 Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 252 BananaBucks : 44,946 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 83 Times Was Thanked 234 Times in 165 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 13 Times	Re: Newbie, growing a SDC in Massachusetts I'll try to post a pic tomorrow or Saturday so you guys can see how it is now. Also I had a question, which might seem dumb, but ..... does the musa basjoo grow faster than a dwarf cavendish given the same care and conditions? __________________ Blog: http://sunroomgardening.blogspot.com Photography biz:http://www.tomasharanphotography.com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/tomasharanphotography Worcester, MA

11-10-2011, 09:35 AM	#8 (permalink)
TalyMon TalyMon's Photo Gallery Location: Lehigh Valley PA Find me on the map! Zone: 6-7 Name: Ron K Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 71 BananaBucks : 10,640 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 74 Times Was Thanked 42 Times in 20 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 129 Times	Re: Newbie, growing a SDC in Massachusetts How's your Basjoo coming along? Curious, is this going to be container grown or to be planted during the warm season. It will deffinately grow faster and LARGER than the SDC. You aren't going to see any rapid growth over the winter, but once put out it will probably surprise you. I was considering the Basjoo, but I am stricly a container grower and felt it will be to large of a plant in the long run for me, I currently have DC thats like 20 yrs old and some young ones started from seed late August ~ Dasycarpa(velutina), Laterita, and Ornata. Choose these species for growth habits, afraid Basjoo would get much to large for the winter hual-in. Either way keep posting. __________________ Ciao! "Intellectual property has the shelf life of a banana" - Bill Gates - Last edited by TalyMon : 11-10-2011 at 03:33 PM. Reason: Species misinterpretation

11-10-2011, 04:36 PM	#9 (permalink)
saltydad saltydad's Photo Gallery Location: Silver Spring, Maryland USA Find me on the map! Zone: 7a Name: Howard Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 4,552 BananaBucks : 261,261 Feedback: 2 / 100% Said "Thanks" 14,712 Times Was Thanked 4,662 Times in 1,778 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 824 Times	Re: Newbie, growing a SDC in Massachusetts If you use MG planting soil, I amend it with 1/3 perlite. I have noted that more of my failures over the winter had straight MG; since I've changed mortality due to rot has plummeted. __________________ Men In Nursing- "A Few Good Men" "Gardening is the purest of human pleasures." - Francis Bacon "If by a liberal, they mean someone who looks ahead and not behind; someone who welcomes new ideas without rigid reactions; someone who cares about the welfare of the people, their health, their housing, their schools, their jobs, their civil rights, their civil liberties; someone who believes we can break through the stalemate and suspicion that grips us; that is what they meant by a liberal, I am proud to be a liberal." John F. Kennedy, September, 1960 http://flickr.com/photos/saltydad/ and http://community.webshots.com/user/saltydad http://s751.photobucket.com/albums/xx151/saltydad/

11-10-2011, 04:56 PM	#10 (permalink)
tommyg sunroom gardener Location: Worcester, MA Find me on the map! Zone: 6 Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 252 BananaBucks : 44,946 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 83 Times Was Thanked 234 Times in 165 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 13 Times	Re: Newbie, growing a SDC in Massachusetts I have them in pots.they are growing slow but well. Check out my blogg listed below this post. __________________ Blog: http://sunroomgardening.blogspot.com Photography biz:http://www.tomasharanphotography.com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/tomasharanphotography Worcester, MA

11-10-2011, 06:55 PM	#11 (permalink)
tommyg sunroom gardener Location: Worcester, MA Find me on the map! Zone: 6 Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 252 BananaBucks : 44,946 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 83 Times Was Thanked 234 Times in 165 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 13 Times	Re: Newbie, growing a SDC in Massachusetts You can always trim these down if you need to. Im growing them in pots now and then leaving them outsideafter next season. __________________ Blog: http://sunroomgardening.blogspot.com Photography biz:http://www.tomasharanphotography.com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/tomasharanphotography Worcester, MA

11-10-2011, 07:06 PM	#12 (permalink)
The Hollyberry Lady The Hollyberry Lady 's Photo Gallery Find me on the map! Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 15,161 BananaBucks : 1,409,038 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 12,042 Times Was Thanked 11,326 Times in 5,311 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 102 Times	Re: Newbie, growing a SDC in Massachusetts No offense to anyone at all but I really hate Miracle Grow soil and have had more problems with it than it was worth. It just sucks, frankly. I use a soil-less medium that I buy by the bale at a greenhouse. It's sterile and fast-draining. All my plants and seedlings just love it...including my Super Dwarf Cavendish. I use Sunshine Professional Mix #4 and #1. There are certain things you go cheap on, and certain things you don't. Put out for a good quality soil and you'll have less problems and nicer plants. I pay around 25 bucks for the bale and 30 with tax, but it's 117 litres of soil so it lasts forever. : )

11-10-2011, 07:10 PM	#13 (permalink)
tommyg sunroom gardener Location: Worcester, MA Find me on the map! Zone: 6 Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 252 BananaBucks : 44,946 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 83 Times Was Thanked 234 Times in 165 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 13 Times	Re: Newbie, growing a SDC in Massachusetts No problem. Im doing well with the mg. I guess ive been lucky. Using the retains moisture one and added a lot of perlite. __________________ Blog: http://sunroomgardening.blogspot.com Photography biz:http://www.tomasharanphotography.com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/tomasharanphotography Worcester, MA

11-10-2011, 07:36 PM	#14 (permalink)
The Hollyberry Lady The Hollyberry Lady 's Photo Gallery Find me on the map! Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 15,161 BananaBucks : 1,409,038 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 12,042 Times Was Thanked 11,326 Times in 5,311 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 102 Times	Re: Newbie, growing a SDC in Massachusetts Well I am also a firm believer that gardeners should garden how they darn well please! There's never only one way of doing things when it comes to gardening, and don't listen to people who tell you otherwise. It all about personal choice and preference. My best teachers in gardening anyway, were always found in my failures...not other gardeners. You learn pretty fast about what's good and what isn't when stuff dies. : )

11-10-2011, 08:24 PM	#15 (permalink)
tommyg sunroom gardener Location: Worcester, MA Find me on the map! Zone: 6 Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 252 BananaBucks : 44,946 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 83 Times Was Thanked 234 Times in 165 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 13 Times	Re: Newbie, growing a SDC in Massachusetts quick update. This is my other basjoo.http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LQ7wTFSJLq...0/THP_7599.jpg The color is slightly off as I keep taking pics after work and its already dark. But you can see that they are doing well and are both pushing out a leaf each. These are in 8 inch pots. MG soil, some extra perlite and I feed them once a week with 10-10-10. __________________ Blog: http://sunroomgardening.blogspot.com Photography biz:http://www.tomasharanphotography.com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/tomasharanphotography Worcester, MA

11-10-2011, 08:25 PM	#16 (permalink)
tommyg sunroom gardener Location: Worcester, MA Find me on the map! Zone: 6 Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 252 BananaBucks : 44,946 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 83 Times Was Thanked 234 Times in 165 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 13 Times	Re: Newbie, growing a SDC in Massachusetts This is my first SDC plant. Its almost done opening its new leaf. Today that leaf is open. __________________ Blog: http://sunroomgardening.blogspot.com Photography biz:http://www.tomasharanphotography.com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/tomasharanphotography Worcester, MA

12-23-2011, 01:44 AM	#17 (permalink)
tmc2009 tmc2009's Photo Gallery Zone: 6a Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 162 BananaBucks : 106,945 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 56 Times Was Thanked 161 Times in 45 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Newbie, growing a SDC in Massachusetts Hi, Your plants look healthy. I just separated a couple of pups from my Novak Super Dwarf from Edible Landscaping. I have the main plant in storage in the cellar so I thought I'd cut some off and pot them up for insurance in case the main plant doesn't make it.

12-31-2011, 10:55 PM	#18 (permalink)
tommyg sunroom gardener Location: Worcester, MA Find me on the map! Zone: 6 Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 252 BananaBucks : 44,946 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 83 Times Was Thanked 234 Times in 165 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 13 Times	Re: Newbie, growing a SDC in Massachusetts Thanks. Mine are getting a little cold now and need more water. But they are still doing well. __________________ Blog: http://sunroomgardening.blogspot.com Photography biz:http://www.tomasharanphotography.com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/tomasharanphotography Worcester, MA

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