Bananas.org - Bigger pots?

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kaczercat

06-09-2012 01:15 AM

Bigger pots?

I have had these plants in these pots since mid January and my question is are they be big enough to hold them until say mid Aug? or should I repot now?

RAINFOREZT

06-09-2012 05:12 AM

Re: Bigger pots?

Yes, repot them in to a bigger(wider) container. Whar are they? Nice pool...I think it's rare in Canada. I mean bananas and Pool.

kaczercat

06-09-2012 09:04 AM

Re: Bigger pots?

Quote:

Originally Posted by RAINFOREZT (Post 197203)

Yes, repot them in to a bigger(wider) container. Whar are they? Nice pool...I think it's rare in Canada. I mean bananas and Pool.

Thanks! The left is Mysore and the right is Orinoco. There are lots of pools in my area but I'm the only one with bananas!

kaczercat

06-09-2012 12:17 PM

Re: Bigger pots?

This morning I put them in bigger containers and I will try to get them to fruit in these. They are unmovable now I might be able to drag them somewhere if needed but they'll stay next to the pool for as long as possible.

Olafhenny

06-09-2012 06:08 PM

Re: Bigger pots?

Good move, Matt, there are some in this forum who advocate smallish pots, but I take my cues
from nature. In the wild bananas have the whole continent as their "pot". Of course they have to
share that one with a few other plants. :)

What I am trying to say is that no pot is too big for the banana, but some pots may get too big
for you to handle. :)

BTW, getting bananas to fruit here in Canada is a tall order and it requires a tall greenhouse,
because the seasons here are just not long enough above freezing temps to allow blooming &
fruiting in the same year

Good Luck,
Olaf

kaczercat

06-09-2012 06:43 PM

Re: Bigger pots?

Thankyou! Yeah in mid fall I usually dig them up and put in the basement but this year might keep them going cause they're already in pots. depends how big they get by Mid Oct.since they fruit at smaller hights in pots I don't know how many more months I'll be waiting. These pots are as big as i'm going can't move them and I'm not gonna pay $40 x2 for those big wine barrels this year I don;t think.

venturabananas

06-09-2012 10:48 PM

Re: Bigger pots?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Olafhenny (Post 197269)

[size="3"]...but I take my cues
from nature. In the wild bananas have the whole continent as their "pot".

In nature, bananas would be in the tropics; and being in a pot is nothing like being planted in the ground. Water is not wicked away in a pot the way it is in the ground.

Iunepeace

06-09-2012 11:37 PM

Re: Bigger pots?

Quote:

Originally Posted by venturabananas (Post 197292)

In nature, bananas would be in the tropics; and being in a pot is nothing like being planted in the ground. Water is not wicked away in a pot the way it is in the ground.

That is true Ventura. Bear in mind though that a lot of the tropics are rainforested (or were) and many these bananas would be naturally growing in areas covered with mulches of dead leaves from overhanging trees, underbrush, etc, which would conserve moisture in the soil. Not to mention the constant high humidity and rainfall.

Kudos on the upsizing of the pots Matt! Bigger is usually better pot-wise when it comes to bananas, and they can put out roots like you wouldn't believe, so it certainly can't hurt :D

Olafhenny

06-09-2012 11:59 PM

Re: Bigger pots?

All the bananas I have seen in the wild were growing in moist environments surrounded by humid
air; wicking away moisture by other plants is not an issue.

I have transplanted a relatively small Basjoo (leaves only up to 4 or 5 feet high) from a 19" dia pot
into the ground for the winter and was amazed to see, that it was almost root bound and that was
not, because it lacked water, because it was on regular automatic irrigation. and it had been in that
pot only for one summer, after wintering inside in a different (smaller) pot.

venturabananas

06-10-2012 12:12 AM

Re: Bigger pots?

It's not wicking by other plants that is important -- it is wicking by the soil itself. Pots create a "perched water table" that can keep the roots saturated soil for a long time, whereas in the ground, if there is decent drainage, water will not stand around the roots. If the weather is warm (e.g., the tropics, or summer in temperate areas), that extra water probably won't matter at all. If the soil is cold, it will be a problem.

Olafhenny

06-10-2012 12:32 AM

Re: Bigger pots?

I was talking in my earlier post about conditions of "bananas in the wild" and that means without
exception in humid tropical conditions. Everywhere else they are cultivated.

I have seen bananas on the borders of rice fields, where their roots are 24/365 bathed in water.
They did not seem to mind at all. Some time ago I read about a grower in Mexico, who tried
to maintain a ground water level of 70 cm (28") below the surface. Why and how was not
elaborated or I did not pay any attention at the time.

kaczercat

06-10-2012 09:40 AM

Re: Bigger pots?

I totally get what you guys are saying. I have seen bananas in Cuba& The Dominican. I know the roots are extremely strong. and water isnt held like in pots. ( I dug a pup up once in Cuba shhhhh! lol) when I re potted those two. they were so root bound I'm glad I did it. I'm planning a trip out to California next summer. I'm gonna see as many banana plants as I can and see the sights!

RAINFOREZT

06-10-2012 11:06 AM

Re: Bigger pots?

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaczercat (Post 197314)

when I re potted those two. they were so root bound

Yes thats the real problem with pots..

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