DO and DB Container Planting
 

Hello everyone, my name is Richard and I'm new to the forum, so please excuse me if I ask a question that has already been answered. I've looked thru a lot of the threads and have not found the answer I was looking for.

This is my first time growing banana's (Zone 8 Central Texas) and I bougt 2 DOs from Banana-Tree and 1 DB from Wellspring. The DO's are pups and the DO is a TC. I've decided to overwinter them in containers and plant in the ground next spring.

Now my questions:

1. I planted these 2 wks ago in 8" pots in a soil mixture of 2pts Miracle-Gro potting mix and 1pt perlite. The same mixture I use for citrus trees. After 2 weeks should the pups be showing some signs of growth? They were cut to a length of about 5" and had roots about .5" long around the circumference of the pstem base. I have had them outside with nite temps in the mid 50's and Day time in Mid 80's. I just recently moved them inside when the nite temps went to the 40's.

2. What water requirements do they have at this stage? I watered well when they were planted and the soil is still moist. The pots came from Home Depot and have about six drain holes on the bottom.

3. Should I give them any fertilizer at this stage or wait until I see signs of growth?

Note that the DB TC seems to be growing, although slowly at this point.

Sorry for running on here, but any light you can shed on this will be appreciated.

Richard

Re: DO and DB Container Planting
 

Your plants probably working on growing root system, watch they are not over watered and have plenty of light!

Re: DO and DB Container Planting
 

hi richard
im also new but unlike you i have little to no experience. just wanted to say welcome!
i have enjoyed the forum and have found nice and knowledgeable people here.
ursula

Re: DO and DB Container Planting
 

yes like Dan and Tara said it will take maybe 2 months to really start growing and then it will be slow because the cold is setting in, i dont water mine at all thru the winter, only if they start to wilt and are bone dry, also no fert till spring, alltho your soil has some in there....

Re: DO and DB Container Planting
 

Thank you Dan, Tara, and Jeff. You have cleared the haze for me. I wondered how long the root system would need to regenerate before the leaves began to grow. I haven't watered since I put them in the containers, so I'll just hold off a little longer, the soil is still moist right below the surface.

And Ursula, thank you for the warm welcome.

Re: DO and DB Container Planting
 

Welcome Ursula and Richard! Water light with little tc's or they can rot out.

Re: DO and DB Container Planting
 

you could also put some stakes around the perimeter of the pot and put some plastic around to keep in some humidity....then you will not need to water them as often...like creating a litlte green house around them....treat them like children...keep them cozy and safe

Re: DO and DB Container Planting
 

Sorry Jack, I have to disagree a little. If the temps are cool, I wouldn't surround the plant to keep moisture in. I have plants in a cool sunroom with not a lot of water, but I noticed some have mold on top so I put a fan in there. I would give them little water & SOME circulation if you can. If anything, you can spray the leaves w/ water.
After re reading your post it doesn't seem like they will be in a "cool" room.
Can I start over LOL? In room temps, put them in sunny window & maybe in this case a little wall around the pot to hold moisture will work. Don't fert till spring & don't let soil get wet - just moist. They will grow slower cuz they just KNOW it's not summer & go sorta-dormant....like me.

Re: DO and DB Container Planting
 

sorry I just assumed it was a warm room the plants were growing in...

Re: DO and DB Container Planting
 

You were right Jack. I assumed they were in the cold till I read again.

Re: DO and DB Container Planting
 

Well Patty and Jack you are both correct. I started out with them in the house, but have since acquired a small pop-up greenhouse that the bananas now reside in. I have a heater on a thermostat in there and today the temps ran from 48 to 88 deg. The outside temps were a low of 27 and high of 50. My dilemma now is: do I provide water as if the plants were growing or do I treat them as if they were dormant? From Patty's post it sounds like I should go with dormant treatment with very little water.

Thanks for the inputs,
Richard

Re: DO and DB Container Planting
 

Richard, that is a broad temp range & hard to decide if dormant or not. I know that plants won't grow if soil temps are around 54 f.
Plants not growing won't drink up much water- if any, so what I do is, put a dry stick (dowel works good) & keep it in pot. Pull it out & feel how much moisture on it to decide whether to water. Or, put a stick in & about 1/2 hour later check it before watering. It won't lie. This is good esp. for big pots where you don't know how wet the bottom is.
EX: I have 2 ICream in 30 gal pots. One is room temp (68-69f) with some south sun & one is in sunroom with temps of 49 - 60f. The one at rm temp shot up 2 leaves since Oct & has been watered 3-4 times & one in S room got no new leaves & watered once. So, watch for growth & good luck :)

Re: DO and DB Container Planting
 

Great idea Patty. A wooden dowel as a moisture meter. I'll give it a try.

Richard

Re: DO and DB Container Planting
 

I agree Richard...I would run them on the dry side though...easier to give them water if needed than get them soggy....goodluck!