I'm considering buying this dwarf species to grow in a container here in zone 6, and it will be my first nanner. I've read that this species grows 5' to 7' tall, according to the reports. I realize that the larger the pot (other factors being the same), the happier the plant. Is a 10 gallon pot (approx 16 " W × 12" deep) too small to allow decent fruiting?
How likely is it that 7' is really the upper limit,* and does this mean that it probably won't touch the 7.5' ceiling in my home? Obviously I'm thinking about the 8 months or so that the plant would spend indoors.* If a banana is pushing the height limit, would carefully shortening it*be ill-advised? As long as a developing inflo isn't damaged, will shortening the plant during the 'indoor' months (i.e. winter!) adversely impact its ability to flower, and set fruit later, in the summer? Is it as simple as trimming the topmost leaves almost down to the pseudo
stem? I would like to avoid cutting off a large part of the pseudostem, as has been discussed elsewhere. Maybe I should stick with a variety like 'Truly Tiny' or dwarf red?
Any practical advice or caveats will be greatly appreciated--Thanks!
Rick in CT
Banana wrangler
wanabee