Quote:
Originally Posted by figafita
I am very new to banana but I got a small Misi Luki sucker who had just 2-3 roots. I planted and after 10 days doesn't look good at all. Looks like is dying and the leaves are yellow.
How do you take care of a sucker?
What do you do after you get it?
Plant it right away ,keep it in the water?
What do you do after you plant it ?
Where do you keep it-inside-outside, shade-sun? When do you fertilize?
Any hope for mine?
Thanks,
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General Instructions I recommend:
Plants are typically shipped "bare root" so they will need to be potted or put in the ground ASAP.
Care: Plant your Heliconia/Banana as soon as you receive it using a well draining soil mixture. DO NOT USE POTTING MIX unless it has a considerable amount of aggregate added to it, such as coarse sand.
Also do not use soil from your back yard – heavy, dense soils will hold too much water and cause the rhizome to rot.
It is very important that your soil is well draining. When you are ready to plant you can often look at the rhizome and see where the soil line had been while it was growing.
If you are not sure you may grow it upright with the lower base in the soil.
WATERING / LIGHT / WARMTH/ HUMIDITY FOR PROPER HELICONIA/Banana GROWTH
After your first time watering do not water until the surface soil is dry to the touch. It is very important that you do not keep the soil too wet.
Heliconia/Banana happen to like warm temperatures and bright light to grow strong. An ideal temperature would be 60* F with humidity over 40 %. . Zone 9-11
Bananas
Good soil mix for bananas is 1/3rd compost (if available), 1/3rd rich potting soil and 1/3rd perlite (for good drainage) you can put them in almost any kind of soil but remember drainage is key. If you don’t have access to compost, just mix the parts ½ and ½ and they will do just fine.
They do prefer a more acidic soil and compost will do that for you. You can’t really go wrong, bananas are not too particular with soil type but the worst type of soil is a clay/loam soil.
Water thoroughly at planting, keep on the moist side ( NOT WET ) if base of plant begins to soften or look discolored , this is a sign of to much moisture, stop watering until healthy growth appears. Once planted resumption of growth is quick as new leaves unfurl from the top center of the pseudostem, or stronger new growth will emerge from underground portions of the corm (suckers) and produce a new banana plant.
Heliconia & Ginger
Cultural Directions Upon receipt of rhizome or bare root plant, carefully unpack, plant quickly not to let rhizomes or roots dry out. Soak bottom 2/3 of rhizome or roots if visible for ½ hour at room temperature.
Rhizome or bare root plant should be planted in a well draining soil mix of
1/3 peatmoss, 1/3 perlite and 1/3 coarse potting mix ( soil less ) with the very tip of the rhizome protruding out of the soil. Most rhizomes and bare root plants will have cut stalks attached to rhizomes, let these remain above soil line. Water thoroughly and let mixture dry out somewhat between waterings, if kept to wet, there is a good chance that rotting could occur.
Heliconias grow best at temperatures at 70 degrees and above, requiring bright light, and are heavy feeders of any well balanced fertilizer.
Fertilize at least once a month during growing season. Daily misting of plants is beneficial if grown inside or in dry outdoor environment.
Do not plant the corms deeper than the soil line where they were previously planted, if anything plant them a little higher. Roots only grow from the corm (not the side of the pseudostem).