Water quality for Bananas
 

Hi,
I like to know the behaviour of bananas vs water quality.
This is very important for me (and I think for some others too), because the water sources are getting worse by the time.
Now our wells are geting more and more saline and i want to know how bananas react on saline-high TDS water.
Right now I can't recall if i have seen any bananas near the sea.. but I know that in Florida the soil is mainly sandy.

Re: Water quality for Bananas
 

I own some property in Costa Rica that is right on the Pacific and there are tons of bananas growing in the very sandy soil just above high tide line and they seem to do fine with all the salt spray, air and salty sand.

Terry

Re: Water quality for Bananas
 

I've heard bananas are one of the relatively few crops that can be watered with waste-water from houses, and actually love it. A great companion-crop to an eco-home.

Re: Water quality for Bananas
 

Terry,
where the banana trees get their water from ? I mean there is any irrigation system, or their roots getting the water from the salty sand?
I know that there must be too much rain there that may balances the salty enviroment..

Generally, I would like to know how often a banana must be watered during summer, in a mediterranean climate type.

Nikos

Re: Water quality for Bananas
 

Gabe shared a picture a while back of some bananas growing at the edge of a pond where the soil never dries.

Re: Water quality for Bananas
 

I have actually seen some growers put their washing machine water outtake to flow in the soil with detergent leftovers and all :eek:

Re: Water quality for Bananas
 

Grey water would be great if I could use it. To many restrictions where I live.

Re: Water quality for Bananas
 

Is this true has anyone tried it yet? that would be great if it works and doesn't effect the banana, but i would think the detergent would be harmful to the plant? I might try this on a pup and see how it goes, but if anyone else has tried then i would be grateful if they could let me know the results

Re: Water quality for Bananas
 

I leave a large bowl in my kitchen sink to catch virtually all of the water I use (from washing hands, washing dishes, etc.). When the bowl fills up, I just walk it outside and pour it whatever plants are thirsty (usually bananas, not surprisingly). I just can't stand waste. Depending on the size of your family, you can save gallons of water each day.

Oh, even easier: I keep a bucket in the shower, and while I wait for the water to warm up I fill up the bucket, which I later empty on thirsty plants. Every drop counts.

Re: Water quality for Bananas
 

That is a cool idea i will start doing that too, you haven't noticed any side effects to your plants? i have 5 kids as well as myself and wife so there is a lot of us in the house so we could stop wastage and use to on my bananas thanks

Re: Water quality for Bananas
 

No side effects whatsoever -- unless you consider happier plants a side effect! I should mention that I don't use the bowl if I might end up spreading grease on the plants, but I don't worry about a little soap and stuff like that.

Re: Water quality for Bananas
 

Great ideas Nancy! Our water bill here the past month was close to $200.

Re: Water quality for Bananas
 

My father-in-law did this for years in Coconut Grove with great success. He ate plenty of Orinocos and is still fine at age 75.

Also--I have a huge Saba planted on the front beach at Edisto Beach. It is on the west side of the house, but 30 yard from the high tide line. It has been thriving this wet summer.

Also..again.. friends have Ice Creams planted on the edge of Brackish ponds which contain flounder, crab, and shrimp. They are super healthy plants and produce fruit in early mid May.