desertbanana

I wanted to share my experiences growing banana plants in Las Vegas. On 7/28 I received a total of four plants from three growers. These are California Gold, Dwarf Orinoco, Muso Basjoo and Chinese Yellow (Musella Lasiocarpa). These varieties were chosen primarily due to their cold hardiness. No problems occurred in shipping and each banana was immediately planted into a pot using Miracle Grow Moisture Control Planting Mix. Watering was conservative and only occurred when the soil was dry on the top two inches and lightly moist below. Approximately one deep watering per week. The plants were kept in a shaded outdoor location and were transplanted after approximately three weeks, the exception being the California Gold variety as had more transplant shock.

The plants' home is an easterly location with AM sun only (approximately 35% direct sunlight per day). The location is nicely protected from the harsh Vegas winds. A large trench was dug 20" deep and approximately 2-1/2 - 3 ft across. This trench was backfilled entirely with Miracle Grow Moisture Control Planting mix with extra perlite added for maximal root growth.

Each of the three established plants were fertilized last weekend with approximately 1/4 cup Vigoro brand citrus and avocado plant food (10-4-10). Also, as of last week, I have accelerated the watering schedule to deep watering every other day. These plants look terrific and are really beginning to respond...several new leaves are getting taller.

Unfortunately the California Gold has barely pushed up one new leaf...(approximately two inches as of today). I understand this particular California Gold pup is still adjusting and going through the transplant shock.

My plan is to plant the California Gold this weekend into its permanent location within the trench. DO you think this is a good idea or would I be wise to wait and allow more root growth in the pot? ANy other ideas or helpful hints you may pass along to me would be most appreciated. Growing bananas is an entirely new endeavor for me and I certainly want to be successful.

Tropicallvr

I like to wait until there's good leaf growth, and root growth showing before putting into the ground, but you maybe fine either way. What zone is Vegas in?

Chironex

Hey, another Vegas banana grower! That makes 3 or 4 of us now. Damaclese, Velutina and myself - now you! We will have to get together and copmpare notes. I have all of mine in pots at present, but would like to see how yours do in the ground. Ultimately, that's the best way to get fruit. PM me and we can plan to get together. This weekend I am going to Encanto Farms and to pick up some more bananas. (Our member, Pitangdiego is the owner)
I would definitely wait until you have some leaves growing before putting her in the ground. It will need to acclimate the leaves and be able to move water throughout the plant through transpiration.
I have a number of different bananas growing now and more coming. Just set-up my tissue culture lab, too.
Have fun!

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Scot

damaclese

I hope you dont minde me butting in but Vegas is in Zone 9 i live here too i have 13 Bananas growing some inside and some out side

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pharazon

I put a Goldfinger into the ground with nothing but a cigar leaf, in a location similiar to Vegas, and it took about a month for it to finally unroll. When it did, the left side of the leaf was mostly burned, but the rest of the leaf looked fine. It also put out a pup which is growing vigorously. It had about six feet of pseudostem when I put it out there, however, and a very good root system. If I had a big enough pot, I would have gone that route instead. I put two slightly smaller bananas in pots under the same conditions and they put out perfectly normal leaves. No pups though..

All in all, I personally would wait until next spring to plant it out. Keep it in a big pot and let it grow in a more protected environment, and come next spring put it in the ground. California Golds aren't exactly inexpensive, so I'd be babying it for sure.

Then again, being put in the ground might just be what your plant needs to get going.

dablo93

can you also post some pictures>?

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microfarmer

My CA Gold seems to take longer to start growing than some of my other bananas, and puts up fewer pups... It could be environmental factors, or a genetic quality. I treat it the same as my others, and have it side by side with D. Orinoco, Manzano, Ice Cream, and Goldfinger.

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aquadm

I too live in Las Vegas and am looking into planting some banana trees. I would be interested in hearing how they would do in the ground!

damaclese

i started my Odyssey the 1st of march this year and so far my bananas are doing pretty good. things iv noted about growing tropicals in general here in Vegas, is if its a full sun plant plan on giving it one 40% full and 60% dappled shade. you have to spray them at some point every day to help with the humidity. there always going to be a bit crispy around the edges nothing you can do about that. really prepare the soil. i recommend full replacement of the native soils. they are full of Boron this is toxic to all but the hardest of plants. it dosin't kill them right away but slowly over the cores of one or two seasons. you will notes they start looking quite spindly after the first few months. if you do plant in the ground your are going to have to water them every day in the high summers. this often leads to clorosis so you have to keep a watchful eye for signs of this and act fast to keep that plants healthy. i add some cleated iron or Scot tells me he adds gypsum this helps allto also! i add some type of organic top dressing at least 3 times a year which is kinda excessive but with all the watering nutrients wash away fast. so i just scrape off the old top dressing and put fresh on. Scot's been using coffee grounds to help with the salinity of are soil and water. its really salty here this used to be a sea about 65 million years ago. i think if you fallow thous steps you will have good success. just Bari in mind that theres just a certain loss of plants that will occur every season and don't take it personally like you did something wrong. it helps if you ease plants in to the grate out doors and yes good healthy and as mature planting material as you can get. do every thing in your power to develop good roots. when the weather permits do deep waterings instead of the every day thing. that way the root have to go deep to chase the water and grow really big. and lastly remember this is a Mediterranean climate. so on the plants that are really fleshy and delicate consider putting them in pots and for June July and Aguste just take them inside. i put allot of the potted plants in the ground helps protect the roots from the heat penetrating. good luck and if any or all of this made no sense to you just pm and all try to clarify. have fun it sounds coplicated but its not ones you get ues to growing here!

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Raineman

Hi there fellow desert dwellers! I am highly interested (as in you can't talk me out of it haha) in planting 2 or 3 banana plants in my back yard. I have successfully planted three citrus trees back there but banana plants I think are a little more intricate. So I have a number of questions for all of you:
1) I have a south facing yard, I was planning to put them along the west wall (eastern/morning sun) next to a mature mesquite tree for protection from the southern exposure....is this a good plan?
2) can you recommend 2 or 3 varieties for me, I'm interested in flavor and cold hardiness, equally
3) where should I go to buy them?
4) any additional info or threads you could direct me to as a total banana noob would be great!

Thanks!