Originally Posted by Kat2

I'm not a FL native; I'm an old Yankee gardener. Yes, the smaller the mulch is the less it drifts since it interlocks so pine straw is good; as the granddaughter of an economist and of a farmer I'm really cheap so I always look for "free" (pine anything is pricey up north) and what lasted longest for me which is why I suggested chips. But if I recall pine needles, like FL oak leaves, take forever to compost so you're good. Whatever you use, you need to make sure the mulched area is large enough that the grass will not rob your bananas of nutrients; I believe pineapples are more forgiving but why take a chance? Mulch/pine straw done right is very attractive IMO so why not err on the side of "too big" an area? Less mowing means more time to savor the beer suggested earlier by jeff.

But I would pot those struggling nanners. I have 3 pups that were potted for over 18 months; they became really unhappy and each had but 2 leaves with no new growth. I put 2 into dirt with that compost around them 2 weeks ago; they each have a new leaf. The one I placed in a larger pot and have watered faithfully lost her main stem but has put up one from the side. I wish I could figure out where to plant her; she'd be doing better. Bananas are very much like weeds and thus very tough but will be happier if given extra care.

BTW, you're supposed to post pictures and tell everyone what varieties you have so we can drool and dream. Just saying...