Why Can't I Grow Bananas in Raleigh?

quiet_sunset · 06-05-2013, 10:59 PM

Hello Folks!

I'm new to growing bananas in places where they are not meant to be. I used to live in Hawaii (Oahu) and as a kid we had 2 stands of dwarf bananas growing in the yard. We had bananas all the time. I'm trying to relive my youth and grow bananas in Raleigh. I have a sunny south facing back deck that I want to get a dwarf Cavendish or some other dwarf, full sized fruit bearing banana tree to grow. Any ideas, experiences, comments are welcome.

I love this site!

Abnshrek · 06-05-2013, 11:17 PM

Hello & Welcome.. I'm sure you can grow something there.. Just takes time, soil (no water crystals), full sun (unless its a T/C plant you just got), fert and persistence. :^)

Illia · 06-05-2013, 11:23 PM

Welcome! There's quite a few banana varieties you can do, but honestly Cavendish are just so boring compared to the others in my opinion (sorry) - However when it comes to dwarfs, some more hardy ones include dwarf Orinoco, dwarf Namwah, dwarf Brazilian, Rose, California Gold, and Raja-Puri. I believe you're zone 8 right?

And if you don't want to worry too much about winters or don't mind moving bananas indoors during the winter, there's really fast to fruit varieties like Veinte Cohol that do just fine out there. Some other small and/or fast fruiters but not quite as cold hardy include dwarf Red and Gran Nain (pretty similar to Dwarf Cavendish really)

I believe FHIA-1 and FHIA-3 (Goldfinger and Sweetheart) are also pretty hardy, can't remember how tall they get though.

The trick for wintertime with any banana is covering its stem well, bringing it in for the winter, growing it in a greenhouse, or digging it up and storing it in a cool dry place over winter.

RobG7aChattTN · 06-08-2013, 08:06 AM

You need to check out the cold hardy banana section on here. There is a big difference between growing bananas in zone 8 vs. 9 or warmer.

quiet_sunset · 06-08-2013, 11:53 AM

Thanks for the update. I'll check out that section. I'm getting pretty excited about this site!

TonyBananas · 06-12-2013, 09:32 PM

you can always grow dwarf cavendish in containers, 16 to 18 inch pot would work. very easy to move in and out as you temperature changes. Best of luck!

06-05-2013, 10:59 PM	#1 (permalink)
quiet_sunset Find me on the map! Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 2 BananaBucks : 3,370 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 3 Times Was Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 3 Times	Why Can't I Grow Bananas in Raleigh? Hello Folks! I'm new to growing bananas in places where they are not meant to be. I used to live in Hawaii (Oahu) and as a kid we had 2 stands of dwarf bananas growing in the yard. We had bananas all the time. I'm trying to relive my youth and grow bananas in Raleigh. I have a sunny south facing back deck that I want to get a dwarf Cavendish or some other dwarf, full sized fruit bearing banana tree to grow. Any ideas, experiences, comments are welcome. I love this site!

06-05-2013, 11:17 PM	#2 (permalink)
Abnshrek Happy Growing Abnshrek's Photo Gallery Location: Beaumont Texas Find me on the map! Zone: 8b, but 9b weather.. Name: Migael / Michael Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 9,493 BananaBucks : 349,044 Feedback: 45 / 100% Said "Thanks" 10,447 Times Was Thanked 16,444 Times in 5,239 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2,318 Times	Re: Why Can't I Grow Bananas in Raleigh? Hello & Welcome.. I'm sure you can grow something there.. Just takes time, soil (no water crystals), full sun (unless its a T/C plant you just got), fert and persistence. :^) __________________ I'm a Nannerhead :^)

06-05-2013, 11:23 PM	#3 (permalink)
Illia Location: Forks, WA Find me on the map! Zone: 8b Name: Illia Chavez Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 418 BananaBucks : 18,474 Feedback: 2 / 100% Said "Thanks" 243 Times Was Thanked 311 Times in 202 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 117 Times	Re: Why Can't I Grow Bananas in Raleigh? Welcome! There's quite a few banana varieties you can do, but honestly Cavendish are just so boring compared to the others in my opinion (sorry) - However when it comes to dwarfs, some more hardy ones include dwarf Orinoco, dwarf Namwah, dwarf Brazilian, Rose, California Gold, and Raja-Puri. I believe you're zone 8 right? And if you don't want to worry too much about winters or don't mind moving bananas indoors during the winter, there's really fast to fruit varieties like Veinte Cohol that do just fine out there. Some other small and/or fast fruiters but not quite as cold hardy include dwarf Red and Gran Nain (pretty similar to Dwarf Cavendish really) I believe FHIA-1 and FHIA-3 (Goldfinger and Sweetheart) are also pretty hardy, can't remember how tall they get though. The trick for wintertime with any banana is covering its stem well, bringing it in for the winter, growing it in a greenhouse, or digging it up and storing it in a cool dry place over winter.

06-08-2013, 08:06 AM	#4 (permalink)
RobG7aChattTN Junior Member RobG7aChattTN's Photo Gallery Find me on the map! Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 422 BananaBucks : 25,558 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 29 Times Was Thanked 438 Times in 234 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2 Times	Re: Why Can't I Grow Bananas in Raleigh? You need to check out the cold hardy banana section on here. There is a big difference between growing bananas in zone 8 vs. 9 or warmer.

06-08-2013, 11:53 AM	#5 (permalink)
quiet_sunset Find me on the map! Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 2 BananaBucks : 3,370 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 3 Times Was Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 3 Times	Re: Why Can't I Grow Bananas in Raleigh? Thanks for the update. I'll check out that section. I'm getting pretty excited about this site!

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06-12-2013, 09:32 PM	#6 (permalink)
TonyBananas Location: Michigan Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 42 BananaBucks : 11,347 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 39 Times Was Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 9 Times	Re: Why Can't I Grow Bananas in Raleigh? you can always grow dwarf cavendish in containers, 16 to 18 inch pot would work. very easy to move in and out as you temperature changes. Best of luck! __________________ Respectfully, Tony Bananas

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