Dwarf Cavendish coming to SoCal

Moonshiner · 03-07-2009, 02:17 PM

Hello all! Found myself in a new situation, luckily was referred to this amazing forum.

I just received a message from Spring Hill Nursery that a friend of mine (who loves to send cool stuff) is sending me a gift. I am receiving later this month a Musa 'Dwarf Cavendish', and it will be my first banana plant. I have much experience with cacti, succulents and other flora, just never a banana. I am in sunny southern California near Laguna Beach, and the plant will have to be grown in a container. It is being shipped in a 4" pot.

I have done some reading and have found that it is a heavy feeder, likes to stay moist but not wet, and may require special soil. Other than that, it looks like a new experiment for me. My questions to you all:

What is the best fertilizer & soil to use?

Will it do well in a spot that is mostly sunny but partial shade in the late afternoon? (aka succulent heaven)

Plastic or ceramic? I have a 10" ceramic that may do nicely, but with or without saucer?

Mulch or bare soil?

Any other advice will truly be welcomed.

Many thanks!

Bob · 03-07-2009, 03:12 PM

Welcome Moonshiner, (samples can be sent care of Bob at............). I'm sure some of the growers in your area wil help but , give it the biggest pot you can handle, the bigger the better. Make sure to provide well drained soil that you can water and adequately fertilize. Ask questions here as you need to. Good luck with your plant.

Moonshiner · 03-07-2009, 04:04 PM

Thanks, Bob. I can use all the help I can get before the plant arrives.

btw, ever heard of Railroad Earth?

buzzwinder · 03-07-2009, 06:05 PM

WELCOME TO THE Org. Moonshiner, after you get your Dwarf Cav psot a couple pics. There are a ton of helpful people here on the Org. and several of them from your area. By the way I like your avatar, Bill The Cat isn't it?

Moonshiner · 03-07-2009, 07:26 PM

Yep, that's Bill!

After doing some reading I went out today and bought a 22" x 18" (approx. 40 gallons) plastic terra cotta colored pot. I'm hoping that will do the trick. Now all I need are soil and fertilizer recommendations. If you can get those nice plants growing in Illinois, I'm sure I won't have too much trouble here in SoCal.

Thanks for all the kind welcomes!

For Bob...if you can figure out a way to send a sample by email let me know. We can make millions! Tried it by fax machine once. The blue sparks were awesome.

Richard · 03-07-2009, 09:50 PM

Hi there and welcome to the org!

A 22 x 18" pot is typically 25 gallons, a good size for dwarf Cavendish. For soil I recommend Kellogg Garden Patio Mix available at Home Depot etc., or Sunshine Professional Mix #2 which you can obtain at an agricultural supply store. For fertilizer I recommend 20-5-30 water soluble, which you can buy directly from Grow More in Gardena or at my web site below.

Tog Tan · 03-08-2009, 12:46 AM

Hi Moonshiner Mike, and welcome to the .org!

Your DC would be a great starter of a 'naner for you. It's a wonderful non demanding and vigorous grower over here. In fact, it is so vigorous that it out grew its popularity until it is hardly found here! I love the fruiting time, lotsa of them. All the best!

Bob · 03-08-2009, 06:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moonshiner

Thanks, Bob. I can use all the help I can get before the plant arrives.

btw, ever heard of Railroad Earth?

There's a band , is that it?

Moonshiner · 03-08-2009, 02:00 PM

Sorry, I know this is off topic....but.....

That would be them!

Railroad Earth

An amazing group of musicians that are based in Stillwater, right near you. They have a huge fan base, many of them in right there in the Tri-City area. The fans are almost as much fun as the band!

Check 'em out some time if you like bluegrass inspired acoustic music.

missg · 03-08-2009, 05:58 PM

Moonshiner, welcome to Banana.org

Bob · 03-08-2009, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moonshiner

Sorry, I know this is off topic....but.....

That would be them!

Railroad Earth

An amazing group of musicians that are based in Stillwater, right near you. They have a huge fan base, many of them in right there in the Tri-City area. The fans are almost as much fun as the band!

Check 'em out some time if you like bluegrass inspired acoustic music.

Thanks, I don't really know them but will check them out.(Stillwater's not that far)...........Bob

Caloosamusa · 03-08-2009, 06:07 PM

Welcome to the organization Moonshiner.

Soils for musa: high organics, slightly acid, moist but drained, which is problematic in SoCal soils. Mulch, mulch, mulch!!!!

There are some musa varieties from Africa that are specifically used to make "beverages."

Best wishes!!!

Moonshiner · 03-12-2009, 12:29 PM

Thanks to everyone for all the great advice!

chong · 03-12-2009, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caloosamusa

Welcome to the organization Moonshiner.

................................... Mulch, mulch, mulch!!!!

There are some musa varieties from Africa that are specifically used to make "beverages."

Best wishes!!!

Wish you all could taste the banana wines (and citrus, also) that Joe Real makes at his home. They are great! Connoisseur level!

03-07-2009, 02:17 PM	#1 (permalink)
Moonshiner Moonshiner's Photo Gallery Location: Libertytown, MD Find me on the map! Zone: 6-7 Name: Mike Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 83 BananaBucks : 35,493 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 39 Times Was Thanked 79 Times in 37 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 26 Times	Dwarf Cavendish coming to SoCal Hello all! Found myself in a new situation, luckily was referred to this amazing forum. I just received a message from Spring Hill Nursery that a friend of mine (who loves to send cool stuff) is sending me a gift. I am receiving later this month a Musa 'Dwarf Cavendish', and it will be my first banana plant. I have much experience with cacti, succulents and other flora, just never a banana. I am in sunny southern California near Laguna Beach, and the plant will have to be grown in a container. It is being shipped in a 4" pot. I have done some reading and have found that it is a heavy feeder, likes to stay moist but not wet, and may require special soil. Other than that, it looks like a new experiment for me. My questions to you all: What is the best fertilizer & soil to use? Will it do well in a spot that is mostly sunny but partial shade in the late afternoon? (aka succulent heaven) Plastic or ceramic? I have a 10" ceramic that may do nicely, but with or without saucer? Mulch or bare soil? Any other advice will truly be welcomed. Many thanks! __________________ Mike

03-07-2009, 03:12 PM	#2 (permalink)
Bob Orang Puteh Bob's Photo Gallery Location: Washington Twp N.J. Find me on the map! Zone: 6a Name: bob Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 3,529 BananaBucks : 262,207 Feedback: 12 / 100% Said "Thanks" 9,550 Times Was Thanked 4,062 Times in 1,695 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 565 Times	Re: Dwarf Cavendish coming to SoCal Welcome Moonshiner, (samples can be sent care of Bob at............). I'm sure some of the growers in your area wil help but , give it the biggest pot you can handle, the bigger the better. Make sure to provide well drained soil that you can water and adequately fertilize. Ask questions here as you need to. Good luck with your plant. __________________

03-07-2009, 04:04 PM	#3 (permalink)
Moonshiner Moonshiner's Photo Gallery Location: Libertytown, MD Find me on the map! Zone: 6-7 Name: Mike Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 83 BananaBucks : 35,493 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 39 Times Was Thanked 79 Times in 37 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 26 Times	Re: Dwarf Cavendish coming to SoCal Thanks, Bob. I can use all the help I can get before the plant arrives. btw, ever heard of Railroad Earth? __________________ Mike

03-07-2009, 06:05 PM	#4 (permalink)
buzzwinder buzzwinder's Photo Gallery Location: Loves Park, Il. Find me on the map! Zone: 5 Name: Bill Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 871 BananaBucks : 18,308 Feedback: 3 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1,043 Times Was Thanked 846 Times in 354 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1,155 Times	Re: Dwarf Cavendish coming to SoCal WELCOME TO THE Org. Moonshiner, after you get your Dwarf Cav psot a couple pics. There are a ton of helpful people here on the Org. and several of them from your area. By the way I like your avatar, Bill The Cat isn't it? __________________ Bill for my friend

03-07-2009, 07:26 PM	#5 (permalink)
Moonshiner Moonshiner's Photo Gallery Location: Libertytown, MD Find me on the map! Zone: 6-7 Name: Mike Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 83 BananaBucks : 35,493 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 39 Times Was Thanked 79 Times in 37 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 26 Times	Re: Dwarf Cavendish coming to SoCal Yep, that's Bill! After doing some reading I went out today and bought a 22" x 18" (approx. 40 gallons) plastic terra cotta colored pot. I'm hoping that will do the trick. Now all I need are soil and fertilizer recommendations. If you can get those nice plants growing in Illinois, I'm sure I won't have too much trouble here in SoCal. Thanks for all the kind welcomes! For Bob...if you can figure out a way to send a sample by email let me know. We can make millions! Tried it by fax machine once. The blue sparks were awesome. __________________ Mike

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03-07-2009, 09:50 PM	#6 (permalink)
Richard un-Retired Richard's Photo Gallery Location: Vista, CA Find me on the map! Zone: USDA 10b Name: Richard Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 9,674 BananaBucks : 994,995 Feedback: 9 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,636 Times Was Thanked 12,537 Times in 4,719 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1,685 Times	Re: Dwarf Cavendish coming to SoCal Hi there and welcome to the org! A 22 x 18" pot is typically 25 gallons, a good size for dwarf Cavendish. For soil I recommend Kellogg Garden Patio Mix available at Home Depot etc., or Sunshine Professional Mix #2 which you can obtain at an agricultural supply store. For fertilizer I recommend 20-5-30 water soluble, which you can buy directly from Grow More in Gardena or at my web site below. __________________ Back in business at plantsthatproduce.com

03-08-2009, 12:46 AM	#7 (permalink)
Tog Tan Ensete nut Tog Tan's Photo Gallery Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Name: Tog Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 1,757 BananaBucks : 504,508 Feedback: 2 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1,011 Times Was Thanked 2,724 Times in 787 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 204 Times	Re: Dwarf Cavendish coming to SoCal Hi Moonshiner Mike, and welcome to the .org! Your DC would be a great starter of a 'naner for you. It's a wonderful non demanding and vigorous grower over here. In fact, it is so vigorous that it out grew its popularity until it is hardly found here! I love the fruiting time, lotsa of them. All the best! __________________ ____ Tog Tan has sadly suddenly passed away 6/16/09. We will miss you Tog Tan.

03-08-2009, 02:00 PM	#9 (permalink)
Moonshiner Moonshiner's Photo Gallery Location: Libertytown, MD Find me on the map! Zone: 6-7 Name: Mike Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 83 BananaBucks : 35,493 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 39 Times Was Thanked 79 Times in 37 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 26 Times	Re: Dwarf Cavendish coming to SoCal Sorry, I know this is off topic....but..... That would be them! Railroad Earth An amazing group of musicians that are based in Stillwater, right near you. They have a huge fan base, many of them in right there in the Tri-City area. The fans are almost as much fun as the band! Check 'em out some time if you like bluegrass inspired acoustic music. __________________ Mike

03-08-2009, 05:58 PM	#10 (permalink)
missg Location: Philadelphia, Pa Zone: 6B Name: Missg Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 16 BananaBucks : 5,424 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 0 Times Was Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Dwarf Cavendish coming to SoCal Moonshiner, welcome to Banana.org

03-08-2009, 06:07 PM	#12 (permalink)
Caloosamusa Caloosamusa's Photo Gallery Find me on the map! Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 3,578 BananaBucks : 33,394 Feedback: 1 / 67% Said "Thanks" 3,829 Times Was Thanked 1,556 Times in 675 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 334 Times	Re: Dwarf Cavendish coming to SoCal Welcome to the organization Moonshiner. Soils for musa: high organics, slightly acid, moist but drained, which is problematic in SoCal soils. Mulch, mulch, mulch!!!! There are some musa varieties from Africa that are specifically used to make "beverages." Best wishes!!!

03-12-2009, 12:29 PM	#13 (permalink)
Moonshiner Moonshiner's Photo Gallery Location: Libertytown, MD Find me on the map! Zone: 6-7 Name: Mike Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 83 BananaBucks : 35,493 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 39 Times Was Thanked 79 Times in 37 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 26 Times	Re: Dwarf Cavendish coming to SoCal Thanks to everyone for all the great advice! __________________ Mike

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