Bananas.org - fruit in container

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Re: fruit in container

Quote:

Originally Posted by banana berserker (Post 59929)

If I wanted fruit from a raja puri growing in a pot how big would the pot have to be? How long would it take to fruit? Is there any special way of growing it I would need to know about?

On a completely unrelated subject, can I get pups in a container, would I get fewer pups, and I know this sounds random but I've never found out if you get pups before fruit or fruit before pups?

I have 2 IC nannas in black plastic pots (I think what Richard is talking about) that are about 2ft wide X 17-18 inches high. I screwed 4 casters on plywood to move it around.
I have total of 6 pups - one is over 3 ft tall & potted. No fruits yet. You'll get pups before & after fruit.
I plant them outside inground in summer except next fall they will be very big & heavy if they don't have fruit to cut off. If they are still active growing, we'll have to haul them inside again.
My friend bought trees in these pots and I can't seem to find any more.
You can get fruit on potted nannas.

Re: fruit in container

I assume from the comments here that bananas prefer plastic to something like terra cotta pots?

They prefer good drainage also, right?

So, I should get a plastic container with holes in the bottom?

Thanks.

Re: fruit in container

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rant2112 (Post 68535)

Plastic is cheaper but liquor is quicker (with apologies to Ogden Nash).
Drainage is essential. See PTP_2009_03_Pot_Culture

Re: fruit in container

I know this is an old post but for what it worth I use laundry basket from walmart lined with weed fabric. Works like an air pot but much cheaper. Lots of sizes to choose from.

Re: fruit in container

I'd like to know more about this idea. Does the weed fabric keep the roots from circling, does it promote air pruning inside the plastic laundry basket? Are you using layers of weed fabric or just a single layer held in place by the soil?

John

Re: fruit in container

I have found it cheaper to buy used 55 gallon plastic barrels and cut them in two. I usually get them for $10 - $20 each, and they are very sturdy. Just make sure that they were used to store food-grade material.

Re: fruit in container

The idea is for air pruning, my first attempt was with a 55 gallon plastic drum cut in half and drilled full of holes. I use coconut coir for potting soil and originally i did not use weed fabric. It worked fine but.... the outside edge drys out and the soil falls out so I decided to use a layer of weed fabric to keep the soil in. I use the laundry baskets because it takes a long time to drill a thousand 1/2 inch holes in a drum. A 2.5 bushel laundry basket is 12 bucks at walmart and your done.

Re: fruit in container

Have you checked the banana roots in a laundry basket with landscape fabric...does it prevent them from circling? I wonder if 3 or 4 layers of landscape fabric might have an air pruning effect inside the laundry basket...

Re: fruit in container

Yes it does. This is the way I grow papayas to prevent root rot.
However bananas require lots of water, that means watering your plants two times a day during hot summer or even more. The soil will get dry very fast.

Re: fruit in container

Anita, I'm really interested in your papaya growing technique. How large a container are you using and can you say how thick the landscape fabric is around the inside of the container? Does this allow you to water your papaya plants in the winter (I'm assuming you have them indoors)...I've found that the only way to keep papaya alive indoors during the winter here (zone 9b) is by never watering them.

John