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.

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.

Re: Newbie, growing a SDC in Massachusetts
 

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

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.

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.

Re: Newbie, growing a SDC in Massachusetts
 

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

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

Re: Newbie, growing a SDC in Massachusetts
 

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.

Re: Newbie, growing a SDC in Massachusetts
 

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.

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.

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.

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.

Re: Newbie, growing a SDC in Massachusetts
 

Nice SDCs! How are they doing now Tommy?