Speedjester

Last week I purchased a few Banana Plants...there were field grown bare root pups and trees,, ranging in size from 3ft to 12ft.. The bigger ones show no signs of shock..but a few of the smaller ones seem stressed... ( lower leaves drooping).. I have been watering 4 times a day..( very sandy soil)..

Here are my questions

Should I trim the drooping leaves?

Am I watering to much? ( about a 1" every 4hrs)

How long before I can assume the stress period is over?

Any help would be appreciated...
Thank you

Hammocked Banana

First of all, yes you are watering too much. Normally you wouldn't transplant directly into the ground. You would plant in a pot first because it allows you to control the moisture, etc in the soil better. I can't tell you exactly how much to water in the ground right now because I'm not familiar with your climate, soil or this method, but I would say you should only water every other day until you plant roots, then you can increase you waterings. Bananas are very tough plants, but their big weakness is rot, which they are susceptible to right after bare root transplant and during winter.

How many leaves do your plants have? Most members on here usually remove all the leaves except the cigar leaf and the previous leaf. Cutting off the leaves reduces the transpiration by the plants which have recently lost all their roots. Your leaves are drooping because the plant doesn't have enough roots to uptake all the water those big leaves are transpiring. Its ok If you leave the leaves though, the plant will shed them if it needs to. If you have a lot of leaves on your pups, you should probably remove a few at least just so your nanners don't desiccate themselves too much.

Speedjester

I have been unale to locate any potted Bananas.... I have purchased numerous Palms.. Pulled from the nursery field and transplanted on to my property...Never lost one... So I assumed it would be the same for the Bananas...The reason I water so much is they are planted in direct Sun..(92* in the shade today On ammended Sugar sand)..I will cut back on the watering...all of the Plants look good..except for 2 they are approx 4ft and each has 4 leaves and a cigar..The larger ones 12+ft seem none the worst for wear..except for the lleaves being partially shredded for the transport...

So your recommending I remove some of the Leaves?... Would it be better than just letting them die off?

Hammocked Banana

Maybe these are questions better answered by someone in your climate...

I would leave the leaves at this point. You said its been a week? If the haven't dropped by now theres a good chance they will be fine.

Kat2

I'm a horrible sissy when it comes to plants but I hate to lose one so I pot all bareroots and all recently dug transplants with great soil and drainage holes so they can form a great root ball while I water them appropriately; I keep them in partial shade but move them to more light as they get settled. (Okay, in all fairness this madness began when I received plants I didn't have a place for yet but it works.) When placing them in their permanent home you gently tap the pot to loosen things and place the mess into your prepared hole. Water. Mulch. And watch. (I've actually pulled plants and put them in a bigger pot if they're having issues.)

ETA: Hey, how far are you from me? I'm in zone 9b or 10 depending on who you ask. I am potting everything these days; it's hot and dry.

__________________

jeffaroo

Chop your leaves, all but the cigar. This will take some of the stress off the plant and make it start thinking about rooting. If it were me, I'd put the problem plants in containers for now . Filtered or morning sun the first two weeks, slowly ramp up the sun and water. I always use super thrive on my pups, 1 cap full to a 5 gal bucket of water.
Sit back, crack open a beer , fire up a cigar & watch your babies grow

__________________
Keep shoveling on the potash till the ground bleeds

Speedjester

Kat2 I'm about 45minutes northwest from you..Debary
I would have prefered potted.. But there are not to many nurseries around here that carry large potted plants...95% of my landscaping was delivered and planted field dug... With no losses.... So I didn't even Blink when I picked them up freshly field dug...

S

Kat2

When I lived in Jacksonville I never watered; I do down here. It's really spotty when it comes to sky spitting as you now. I doubt you're watering too much except most of your efforts are just heading to China--less more often would probably be better--drip?

Did you install the other plants? That could make a difference. Did you improve the holes where you planted? Like you would a tree up north? Dig out 2 to 3x larger than the "root" and add "stuff"? I got away not doing that there (top mulching/dressing did it); in FL it seems important. Here in Brevard County you can get free mulch at the "dump" which is really nearly compost--about 2 months away from dirt--it's not perfect but helps. I could get no such amendments easily in Duval County but put a DC in a marshy area where at least 20 years worth of oak leaves had decomposed; she thrived and I never watered. (More rain up there also.)

When in doubt--pot. No pots? Dig a big hole in a shady spot, put a trash bag in (poke holes for drainage, fill it with good soil and plant those that are struggling. You can't easily move them to more sun but if they start growing well they shouldn't suffer that badly when you move them to their real home.

__________________

Hammocked Banana

Field dug pups are best, but then you should plant them in a pot rather than in the ground...

Speedjester

I dug the hole about 2-3 times bigger than the root ball.. I mixed the sand I pulled out with mushroom compost, manure, slow release fert and milorganite...I mulched with 4" of pine straw... I planted all 13 plants in groups of 10( I had a few Banan plants already)...there about 5-6 ft apart.... My irrigation system covers 2acres... It was designed to put down a lot of water.. Add to that I just sodded with St Augustine. So it was set for 4 times a day for 30minutes.. Which puts down over 1" every time ...it runs... It seems like a lot of water... But within 30minutes of them shutting off... The first 2-3" of sand is d dry

Kat2

China thanks you for the water! Just kidding. You did good. All I can think is that the plants you're having issues with (smaller, yes?) didn't have strong enough roots to survive the move into what I assume is full sun. I'd pull those, pot them and baby them then replant into your wonderfully prepared areas; your technique sounds way beyond what I do. (Remember I grow mine in their own little world before setting them somewhat unkindly into Hades.)

Except today, quite unceremoniously, I plopped 2 potted black raspberries into gray sand and then watered them. Why so cruel? Well, I hate black raspberries and wouldn't have them at all had I not wandered into the local garden club sale where I felt obligated to buy something to support the cause. They were represented as a FL native; their Rapunzel thorns are like no respecting raspberry plant I've ever encountered so I parted with $3 because I was curious how anyone would think a wild blackberry was something else save the leaves which are totally raspberry. IF they survive I guess the birds will be happy. Of course, since I don't give a fig about them, we all know they'll take over my yard! (Checking recipes for superb jams now... )

Do keep that nasty grass away from your bananas! It grows like the stuff we call Bermuda grass up north and it will choke/starve them. If you can get fresh woodchips (I can't because dumping is free here--even by commercial tree companies) I'd use them. Yes, I know all that "they steal the nitrogen" nonsense but I used free chips up North for over 30 years around all of my trees and in my perennial beds without any issue. If you must, buy some of that red stuff every place puts on sale in FL. (Why red?) Mulch will help with evaporation; it won't assist with the sieve effect.

Sounds like you've got quite a plantation in place--I have 1/3 acre only but find that space a bit intimidating. (It doesn't help that I believe my yard was once a dump site. Today I wrested 2 12' steel fenceposts (I think) out of the sand in order to plant those blasted raspberries. Some trash, some recycle and some usable but all an extra effort.)

__________________

Speedjester

Kat2 When they cleared the property I thought they would leave some trees..but I was mistaken they cleared everything out.. So no shade.. Tried for a few yrs to grow grass..finally gave up and sodded...I already had plans to pick up some bananas so had the sod company cut me out some islands on either side of the yard just for the Bananas and pineapples.... The landscaper recommended the pine straw over the mulch as it doesn't float when we get the occasional monsoon..... Is mulch a better choice?

Kat2

I'm not a FL native; I'm an old Yankee gardener. Yes, the smaller the mulch is the less it drifts since it interlocks so pine straw is good; as the granddaughter of an economist and of a farmer I'm really cheap so I always look for "free" (pine anything is pricey up north) and what lasted longest for me which is why I suggested chips. But if I recall pine needles, like FL oak leaves, take forever to compost so you're good. Whatever you use, you need to make sure the mulched area is large enough that the grass will not rob your bananas of nutrients; I believe pineapples are more forgiving but why take a chance? Mulch/pine straw done right is very attractive IMO so why not err on the side of "too big" an area? Less mowing means more time to savor the beer suggested earlier by jeff.

But I would pot those struggling nanners. I have 3 pups that were potted for over 18 months; they became really unhappy and each had but 2 leaves with no new growth. I put 2 into dirt with that compost around them 2 weeks ago; they each have a new leaf. The one I placed in a larger pot and have watered faithfully lost her main stem but has put up one from the side. I wish I could figure out where to plant her; she'd be doing better. Bananas are very much like weeds and thus very tough but will be happier if given extra care.

BTW, you're supposed to post pictures and tell everyone what varieties you have so we can drool and dream. Just saying...

__________________

Speedjester

Funny you say you're Yankee gardener..I was born and raised in Boston..relocated here 3 yrs ago.( retired)...as for varieties.. Rajas, blue Java, sabas, ceylons ,Texas star, cavendish , and two more ( plantains)..which I can't remember there names..To be honest ..I didn't buy them for the Bananas...But the tropical look.. See we have a serious bear problem here..so I doubt they will ever ripen... As for pictures..My computers run through a VPN... So for security I can't visit ,upload or download to unapproved sites.. I'm accessing this site now through an old IPad and cell phone hot spot....

Kat2

Oh dear, there will be a debate about that one. You simply must find a way to post a picture of her so she can be evaluated fully. As you venture further into the forum you'll understand why. By golly I'm going to get this dorky place fixed up enough for a Central FL "come hell or high water" BBQ; everyone is north or south of me so here is a natural. Pups for the hostess expected! LOL

I don't think there are bears in the woods behind me; I know I have coons and coyotes but so far they've left me alone. Rats and armadillos? Not so much...someone really needs to declare open season on squirrels I think.

__________________

Speedjester

I've read about the Blue Java debate.. I was assured by the gentleman I brought it from that it is in fact the real deal..He showed me pictures of the mother plant fruiting ..( it had the Blue skin) .. The ones I have are around 12ft now..and seem to have handled the transplant well.... Except for some wind damage during transport.. It looks good..

No coyotes , no raccoons..Haven't seen any in the 3 yrs I've lived here and I have motion sensing cameras all over the property..What I do have is Lots of Armadillos, lots of Pygmy rattlers, gopher tortoises and lots and lots of Black bears..

Kat2

Guess I'm glad I'm in the "city" but in the county or nearly country. Right in the middle: horses, pigs, goats, sheep, cows, chickens to the right of me and civilization to the left of me. (Also a biker bar that way hence the reason for 3 speed bumps on the 1/4 mile of road in front of me!)

Neighbors are cool. I can pretty much do what I want; unless I raise something that barks loud or gets out to mess up their yards, they won't say a word. Apparently I can bury anything here or just set it on the "lawn" and let it sink. Yes, there are building codes but EPA has apparently never set foot in FL without meeting someone who "stands their ground". Very odd to this DC area refugee who finds the possibilities intriguing.

But now you have me wondering it there are bears in the never to be developed "forest" behind me. My one and only encounter with one was as a child when we moved from San Antonio to MD and camped in NC near where "Unto These Hills" was held in Cherokee. That play had scared this 4 year quite enough; I didn't need to see a bear pawing at our maroon woodie station wagon windows. Sheesh! I guess I need to bring my potted blueberry inside.

__________________

Speedjester

I don't worry about the bears they seem to mind there own business And I give them there room.... I'm concerned about my dogs running into the bear on the property... just finished electrifying the fence ...hopefully it will keep them from tearing it down..

jeffaroo

Feed the bear some bananas and be ready to take a pic. Presto....you have a custom avatar you can use here

__________________
Keep shoveling on the potash till the ground bleeds

bananimal

Bears huh. Where are you? No bears here in PSL just bobcats. I have a Min Pin and a Shiba Inu now and they make the best alarm system. They went nuts when I trapped a huge possum. Dan