Chook Manure for Bananas?
 

We have a huge truck load of well cured Chook Manure and bags of horse manure.
Is it OK to use these for fertilizer where suckers are being planted for the first time? Previously, there were very tall pine trees growing there. I have started to put down a deep layer of both and well rotted wood chips on top.

Re: Chook Manure for Bananas?
 

I'd be cautious as to putting suckers or any type of young plant anywhere pines were or are growing since (do please correct if I am wrong) some or most types of pine actually leave harmful chemicals in the soil around where their roots were and basically kill most other vegetation around them. My neighbor just lost $2500 in arborvitea this past year due to a similar effect of the trees that were present before they cleared the land to build his house 5 years ago. So he had his soil tested and is working on getting the problem cleared via chemicals.
As for the manure, I don't see any big issues with it. All seems good to me, as a matter of fact, you SHOULD plant suckers with some good compost. There's a sticky on one of the main boards for sucker separation and planting and illustrates the use of compost in new sucker plantings.

Re: Chook Manure for Bananas?
 

Thanks Shaggy, I'll continue to put the manure along all the rows.The suckers we planted a few months ago haven't missed a beat -yet. There are a few more rows to plant which are further away from where the pine trees were. Will they grow? Time will tell I guess.
God Bless.

Re: Chook Manure for Bananas?
 

If the ones you have in the ground now are doing alright, it should be fine. When putting raw, uncured manure around the plants always make sure you don't set it right against the plant stem since sometimes it can actually cause stem burning or increase in chance of rot. Same with regular mulch. Some plants can handle this and some simply can't. I lost 2 nanners last year to this and a few mats of daylilies since I wasnt paying attention to how close I was putting the compost and mulch to the stems.
Also, if you don't feel comfortable planting directly in the ground or you develope problems later on with the pine tree thing, you can always bring in a ton or two of clean topsoil and raise the bed 12 inches or so since the chems won't leach up.

Re: Chook Manure for Bananas?
 

What's a "chook", and what kind of manure does it make?

R

Re: Chook Manure for Bananas?
 

Good'ay Russell,
The meaning of the word " Chook " in Australian usage is hen or a chicken:
Your Chooks live in a Chook house. I have fed the chooks already. Today I cooked a chook to take on the picnic".
How to describe chook manure......... suffice to say....it smells fowl!!!

Re: Chook Manure for Bananas?
 

I just about fell out of my desk chair!!!

Re: Chook Manure for Bananas?
 

That's wonderful! I've NEVER heard that before. Got my day off to a great start!

Russell

Re: Chook Manure for Bananas?
 

I pulled up this thread just to see what a "chook" was. I've never heard of any negative affects of pine trees. I know their needles tend to make the soil acidic as they decompose, but that's it. Around here (and especially further south) people use pine needles as a mulch. I've heard that Eucalyptus and Black Walnut have chemicals that reduce competition, but if pines do the same I guess i really need to know. I've got a ton on my property and I plan on some major plantings under them if I can get the brush cleared away.

Re: Chook Manure for Bananas?
 

I've planted many things from annuals to Blueberries under pines with no ill effects. Black Walnut will produce something that is harmful to other plants.

Re: Chook Manure for Bananas?
 

We've been tilling ground pine bark into planting beds (along with peat moss, lime, fertilizer and micronutrients) for almost 30 years, and mulching the beds with freshly raked pine straw (when available) or baled pine straw. There are no negative side effects. The beauty of gardening under pines is their non-competetive roots systems (compared to water oaks or magnolias) and their wonderful light shade.

Russell

Re: Chook Manure for Bananas?
 

That's right Russell I wasn't thinking about the composted Pine Bark just the root zone BUT the PB Compost is what all the nurserys around here use for potting soil.