New Member and Banana Grower in Florida
 

Since I'm in Florida, you would think I would have grown bananas before now. I just bought my first, Grand Nain, 3 weeks ago. It's about 3 feet tall w/ 2 6 inch pups. I planted it in ground and we promptly had a huge windstorm that brought 40 degree temps at night. Of course, since this is central Florida, we have been in the 80's daytime, 70's night ever since. I'm worried because the leaves are ragged from the wind. The mom plant has a new leaf emerging though and there are 2 pups each putting out 1 new leaf. The mom plant's older leaves are turning brown on the ends - is this a concern? I've watered and fertilized with just an all purpose 8=8=8. Anyway, I'm now a banana caretaker and hope to learn a lot from all of you.

Re: New Member and Banana Grower in Florida
 

Welcome, Kgardens!

Re: New Member and Banana Grower in Florida
 

Hello kgardens, welcome to the nicest 'naner org in the world! All the best to your new plant. :02:

Re: New Member and Banana Grower in Florida
 

Hi,
Big welcome from the other side of the big pond.

Re: New Member and Banana Grower in Florida
 

Welcome to the site! I hope you enjoy it here and learn a lot! As for your question about leaves....it's pretty common for them to get shredded by harsh winds. If possible, try to plant them in a more sheltered area to prevent some of this. The browning on the tips of the bottom leaves shouldn't be too much of a concern. Bananas typically lose lower leaves as new ones emerge. Brown leaf tips can be a signal of over-fertilization or under-watering, so be sure those two things are being done properly.

Re: New Member and Banana Grower in Florida
 

Welcome, Ithink your Naners should be ok, the old ragged leaves will wilt but it will grow new leaves.

Re: New Member and Banana Grower in Florida
 

Welcome to the forum!

Re: New Member and Banana Grower in Florida
 

Welcome to the Org. kgardens, your Gran nain should be fine, the wind will shred the leaves but new ones will grow back quickly, the brown tips may just be a sign of stress from transplanting to the ground and then the wind and cool temps. Keep it watered and with those temps it will take off like crazy! :bananas_b

Re: New Member and Banana Grower in Florida
 

Welcome Kgardens! I'm also new to the boards. I live in SW FL. I also got a Gran Nain about 2-2 1/2 wks ago but luckily didn't get any of that wind.

Re: New Member and Banana Grower in Florida
 

Welcome to bananaland!

Re: New Member and Banana Grower in Florida
 

Thank you all for the great welcome. I feel better about my banana and will be careful to not over fertilize. Water is a precious commodity here but I do have 2 rain barrels and I collect the condensation from my A/C (about 8-10 gallons/24 hours!). So even with our water restrictions I can water every day. I have a lot of drought tolerant Florida plants in other areas of the yard so the banana can be a water hog until the rains start in June. Thanks again for the warm welcome.

k
:03:

Re: New Member and Banana Grower in Florida
 

Welcome to the organization Kgardens!

Welcome to Florida, it is good that some people are trying to conserve water here! Thank you, best wishes, and good growing! :2239:

Re: New Member and Banana Grower in Florida
 

Welcome.

Riverview, eh. Mrs. Adrift's sister lives in Riverview. We are about 45 minutes east on 60 then a few minutes north. It is always breezy here "in the mountains" :) and it has been worse this year so my nanners are shredded too. I dig the tall ones, but because anything that goes above the 6' fence gets so much wind abuse, I think I'll change my focus to dwarf varieties.

Speaking of dwarfs, I'm overdue for gyros at Romano's in Brandon. If I get out that way would you be interested in a free Dwarf Cavendish to expand your collection? I've got a little 9" to 12" pup in a gallon pot that needs a home. I've already got 3 mats of D.C. around the house and I'd rather use any free space for something different.

KJ, Adrift

Re: New Member and Banana Grower in Florida
 

Kgarden, Welcome aboard!! There are a lot of very knowledgable banana growers here, please feel free to ask questions there is always someone who can answer it.

Michael

Re: New Member and Banana Grower in Florida
 

Welcome aboard!

Re: New Member and Banana Grower in Florida
 

welcome!