Bananas.org - View Single Post - I'm new to growing banana plants, what say you about these two?

edwmax · 09-10-2018, 10:50 AM

Nice looking plants. ... Ok ... The folded down leaves indicate sap flow and transpiration of water has ceased due to heat and/or water stress. At temps above 100° the leaves will fold due to heat regardless of water.

I see you have provided some shading from the hot sun, good!

1) Mist the plants 2 or 3 Xs during the day to help cool the plant.
2) Mature banana plants can transpire as much as 2 1/2 gal of water per day per plant in large well watered banana fields ... These are not mature plants, so I would guess they may transpire about 1 to 1 1/2 gal. per day. ... Also, be aware of the water-soil evaporation rate. This is measured and reported by your local Ag weather reports. This is likely about 1/4" to 1/3" per sft per day (15 to 20 gal per day for 10ft dia area ???). ... So water needed is (water transpired by the plant) + (water loss to water-soil evaporation). .... You can water daily as long as you don't make the ground soggy. Use the drooping leaves as your guide.

3) Add a thick layer of mulch (grass clipping, leaves, straw, ect. : not compost ) to help keep the ground cool and slow water evaporation.

09-10-2018, 10:50 AM	#6 (permalink)
edwmax Location: Cairo, Ga Find me on the map! Zone: 8b Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 2,891 BananaBucks : 115,407 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 1,740 Times Was Thanked 4,437 Times in 2,093 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 414 Times	Re: I'm new to growing banana plants, what say you about these two? Nice looking plants. ... Ok ... The folded down leaves indicate sap flow and transpiration of water has ceased due to heat and/or water stress. At temps above 100° the leaves will fold due to heat regardless of water. I see you have provided some shading from the hot sun, good! 1) Mist the plants 2 or 3 Xs during the day to help cool the plant. 2) Mature banana plants can transpire as much as 2 1/2 gal of water per day per plant in large well watered banana fields ... These are not mature plants, so I would guess they may transpire about 1 to 1 1/2 gal. per day. ... Also, be aware of the water-soil evaporation rate. This is measured and reported by your local Ag weather reports. This is likely about 1/4" to 1/3" per sft per day (15 to 20 gal per day for 10ft dia area ???). ... So water needed is (water transpired by the plant) + (water loss to water-soil evaporation). .... You can water daily as long as you don't make the ground soggy. Use the drooping leaves as your guide. 3) Add a thick layer of mulch (grass clipping, leaves, straw, ect. : not compost ) to help keep the ground cool and slow water evaporation. __________________ Last edited by edwmax : 09-10-2018 at 07:35 PM.