mfeldman39

Hi All!
Just joined this forum and am LOVING the support!

I am a total newbie to bananas.
I am wondering if anyone has some good suggestions for Dwarf/Container banana plants that will grow well in Zone 10, South Florida.
Think, HOT!

Also, I was told that bananas LOVE water??
Is this true?

How often should banana plants in containers be watered (if it is not raining)?

Thank you so much for any help you have to offer!

Mk

JP

I've got dwarf cavendish and Truly tiny. The first one should get to 6 feet and the second one no more than 3. You've got hot climate. If it's outside and the soil drains well, I'd give it water regularly. Put some gravel at the bottom of the pot, it helps for drainage and it give weight to the pot so it doesn't tip over when it's windy. That's what I do. And I mix sand with soil and compost to help it drain better. Seems to be working better for me this way... Good luck.

mfeldman39

Interesting!
You put sand in with the soil??
I didn't think plants would do well in sand.
Can you tell me what the benefit of the sand is?

Truly Tiny sounds like what I am probably looking for.
I think I will need plants that don't grow above 3-4 feet.

Are there any other dwarf plants that stay that small but will give fruit?

Thank you so much for your helpful advice!

Mk

Kat2

A truly tiny is very, very short and I don't think the fruits are really meant to be eaten. If you absolutely need short, a super dwarf Cavendish would be better I suspect.

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mfeldman39

Thanks, Kat!
You are a wealth of knowledge!

What is that ice cream banana all about??
That one sounds delicious!

(And perhaps I am drawn to the name because of the heat outside!)

Kat2

I really know very little but a learning.

Ah, the elusive Blue Java...

Best advice I can give you is to read the forum; do searches if you can narrow down what you're wanting to know. You'll find taste tests and height specs about many varieties along with a lot of great general information. (My Ice Cream comment will make sense quite soon.) Ask questions if you can't find the answers.

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JP

From what I hear, you're better off with a Namwah than ice cream... Iif you're looking for a very small plnt, Truly tiny and super dwarf cavendish are as small as you can get for fruiting banana plant.

As for the soil, I don't put too much sand, just enough to help it drain better. It's easier on the roots too. We all have our own special blend, as long as it works.

Snarkie

Bananas grow naturally in many locations that are mostly sand. Sand helps space the soil particles so that they drain better. The coarser the better. Fine, sugary sand can tend to clog, and if you have any clay in the soil, the sand and clay particles will mix and give you something akin to cement. Cement does not drain very well.

If you use a potting mix, add sand, Perlite, or pumice to help space the soil and ensure good drainage.

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The Only Eastern Redwood Forest in America




"Nuke my 'nanners, will you?!"

mfeldman39

Thanks Doug!

When I re-potted my bananas I used a mix of organic potting soil (good for garden veggies and trees) and compost, I think with manure.

The next bananas I get, I will mix with sand too.
Lord knows we have PLENTY around here! (And not too fine). (o:

Thank you!
Mk

Snarkie

When I potted mine, I used cactus/palm mix and Stall Dry (granular pumice). When I put those plants in the ground, I used regular potting soil and Stall Dry. It drains like a sieve.

__________________
Doug (D.A. Hänks) http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2955582/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1


The Only Eastern Redwood Forest in America




"Nuke my 'nanners, will you?!"

Kat2

I probably have the same sandy soil as you do. I have 1 banana still potted; it's growing happily in free compost from the county which is probably leaves, branches and a bit of sand since the pile of stuff is stirred while it's breaking down. As long as you have good drainage in your pot and you fertilize routinely, I don't believe the soil composition makes that much difference. BTW, I have 2 other bananas planted in my mostly sandy "soil" and mulched with 5" of same compost; they're also doing fine. Water is very important; daily flooding in FL is not overdoing it IMO.

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a.hulva@coxinet.net

I thought a Truly Tiny and a Super Drarf Cavendish are one and the same?

EyesToSee

Hello Feldman!
I'm in zone 10, also! Largo in Pinellas County, Tampa Bay Area, close to the beach. Welcome, neighbor!!

I have 3 red bananas (6-10 feet tall max) that I don't expect fruit from and they're potted. I simply love the beauty and looks of the wide, tropical looking leaves with the deep red stripe down the stalk back length and the red striations in the green green leaves. Gorgeous trees, except it just got chilly last night and the trees didn't completely like it. They look worse for the wear, and I cut off several branches.

I wish you great success and enjoyment of your bananas, whatever you decide on getting!


They like lots of water, everyday usually unless it rains. Bananas seem to not need a lot of soil or a large pot. So avoiding clay pots makes sense.

customgreen

I live in Southwest Florida. It seems everyone has their own ideas regarding variety, soils, watering. I have a dwarf Blue Java, but it is a "big" dwarf. About 7 feet tall with a very large stem/trunk. It is probably not a container variety, same goes with my dwarf Nam Wah. Slightly smaller than the dwarf Java, but again a very thick stem. All of my bananas are in the ground, but I did have dwarf Cavendish in pots. 60 gallon pots. They were only 5 feet tall and did produce bananas, but they were smaller than if the plant were grown in the ground. Very tasty bananas. When I plant in the ground I use a 80/20 mix of composted manure and top soil. For me that gives good drainage, but still has the organic food that they love. Again that is what seems to be working for me, your mileage may vary. One thing to consider. If you grown a banana in a container once it gets taller the container will be difficult to move. Not only is the container heavy with soil, but the plant is heavy as well. They are full of water. I just cut down my Blue Java yesterday after cutting the stalk off. I had to section it to three parts because it was to heavy to move to the curb for pickup.

EyesToSee

custom green,
Hello fellow Floridian, why did you cut down your Blue Java? Was it doing poorly?