Bananas.org - View Single Post - Minimum planter width for growing Tall banana cultivars?

raygrogan · 08-26-2011, 09:33 AM

Hmmm - just a few comments without actually answering your question ...

30 cm is about a foot wide, which as you say, is borderline or too small for a honking tall banana base. But ... plants are pliable - we have all seen flattened roots, branches squished, etc. And of course we have also seen the opposite - like sidewalks busted up by roots.

What would probably happen if you would try to contain the banana are two things:

1. The banana would probably blow up your container if there was any weakness. You may want to look into something along the lines of a "snap tie" used in concrete forming to prevent the forms from falling apart due to the immense pressures. (For you something like threaded rod and big washers maybe, but the idea is supporting the big surface areas across.)

2. If you successfully contain the pressure, then the banana would probably expand over the top of the container if the soil is close to the top. This may or may not be a bad thing for your design. If you leave a good space above the soil it should not be too pronounced.

Good luck, could be fun.

08-26-2011, 09:33 AM	#13 (permalink)
raygrogan raygrogan's Photo Gallery Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 250 BananaBucks : 12,886 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 125 Times Was Thanked 314 Times in 166 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 17 Times	Re: Minimum planter width for growing Tall banana cultivars? Hmmm - just a few comments without actually answering your question ... 30 cm is about a foot wide, which as you say, is borderline or too small for a honking tall banana base. But ... plants are pliable - we have all seen flattened roots, branches squished, etc. And of course we have also seen the opposite - like sidewalks busted up by roots. What would probably happen if you would try to contain the banana are two things: 1. The banana would probably blow up your container if there was any weakness. You may want to look into something along the lines of a "snap tie" used in concrete forming to prevent the forms from falling apart due to the immense pressures. (For you something like threaded rod and big washers maybe, but the idea is supporting the big surface areas across.) 2. If you successfully contain the pressure, then the banana would probably expand over the top of the container if the soil is close to the top. This may or may not be a bad thing for your design. If you leave a good space above the soil it should not be too pronounced. Good luck, could be fun.