Good Banana Cultivars for Container Growing

andy17 · 05-12-2012, 12:31 PM

Hello everyone,
I am new to the bananas.org community, but I have found it to be really helpful. With summer almost in full swing here in the Deep South (zone 8a-8b), I am wanting to grow some banana plants now that the weather is so nice and tropical. However, I am a little short on space, so for at least this year, I will really have to stick with growing them in container. Are there any "tried and true" varieties than anyone can recommend for container growing? Right now I'm looking at the 1000 Fingers and Grand Nain, but I'm not sure how they would do in a container for the first year. The Blue Java is really cool as well, but I know those guys are giants. Any help would be really appreciated! Thanks

sunfish · 05-12-2012, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andy17

Hello everyone,
I am new to the bananas.org community, but I have found it to be really helpful. With summer almost in full swing here in the Deep South (zone 8a-8b), I am wanting to grow some banana plants now that the weather is so nice and tropical. However, I am a little short on space, so for at least this year, I will really have to stick with growing them in container. Are there any "tried and true" varieties than anyone can recommend for container growing? Right now I'm looking at the 1000 Fingers and Grand Nain, but I'm not sure how they would do in a container for the first year. The Blue Java is really cool as well, but I know those guys are giants. Any help would be really appreciated! Thanks

Maybe Rajapuri,double mahoie they have fruited for me at less than 5' of p-stem

momoese · 05-12-2012, 05:36 PM

My friend has Cali Gold fruiting in a container.

andy17 · 05-12-2012, 07:41 PM

@sunfish You've been able to fruit Rajapuri and Double Maohi in a container? That's really cool. What size containers did you use? Also, how did you over winter them?
@momoese That's awesome! I've heard it's a really good variety. Do you know where he found it?

sunfish · 05-12-2012, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andy17

@sunfish You've been able to fruit Rajapuri and Double Maohi in a container? That's really cool. What size containers did you use? Also, how did you over winter them?
@momoese That's awesome! I've heard it's a really good variety. Do you know where he found it?

The were not in containers in the ground .Just saying they stayed pretty small so the should work in a container. No need to overwinter here.

momoese · 05-12-2012, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andy17

@momoese That's awesome! I've heard it's a really good variety. Do you know where he found it?

Jeff Earl

andy17 · 05-13-2012, 02:30 PM

@sunfish very cool your badge says you're in zone 9-10, are you able to get your bananas to fruit without bringing them in for the winter?
@momoese Thanks!

sunfish · 05-13-2012, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andy17

@sunfish very cool your badge says you're in zone 9-10, are you able to get your bananas to fruit without bringing them in for the winter?
@momoese Thanks!

I'm zone 10.Yes they fruit with no protection

venturabananas · 05-14-2012, 01:29 AM

Logee's Dwarf Ladyfinger. It hasn't fruited for me yet and hates winter outdoors, but if you can bring it inside for winter, it is one that people have gotten to bloom in relatively small container (e.g., 15 gallon).

Seems like many of them can fruit in containers, but will do so at smaller than usual sizes and make a smaller than usual bunch. I've seen "California Misi Luki" (AKA Tall Namwah, Misi Luki Awak) with fruit in a 15 gallon pot. It was only about 6-7' tall and spindly.

Dalmatiansoap · 05-14-2012, 02:08 PM

I have a pseudo IC in 150l pot for a 2.5 years now and still nothing

venturabananas · 05-14-2012, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dalmatiansoap

I have a pseudo IC in 150l pot for a 2.5 years now and still nothing

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying it is easy to get bananas to fruit in containers, but it can be done -- I've seen the evidence! Personally, I'm pretty bad at growing them in containers. Mine always perk up when I plant them in the ground.

andy17 · 05-20-2012, 04:21 PM

Thanks everyone for the responses! They are definitely helpful. I appreciate all of the feedback.

sandy0225 · 05-20-2012, 09:14 PM

bordelon bloom really well in containers here in "tropical" zone 5. But the only thing is they don't set fruit that mature. They are sterile and don't have pollen. I do have one that just finished up blooming though, one in full bloom and one that is just shooting a flag leaf. The flowers stay on like 6 months if you prop them up so that the stems don't kink over.

andy17 · 05-22-2012, 11:28 AM

@ Sandy0225 Thanks! Bordelons are really beautiful--I didn't know they did well in containers. I might have to look into to growing some.

palmtree · 05-22-2012, 02:55 PM

I have seen some beautiful bordelon specimens in pots, but I didnt know they would flower in pots too! I just got one yesterday so it should be coming in a week or so. I'm still debating on if I should plant it in a small space in the ground (in a spot that gets sun from 7am to about 1pm) or in a pot (and in whatever sun exposure is necessary).

I'm expecting the plant to be about 6-12 inches tall when I get it, I hope to get it to be maybe 5 feet tall by the end of the summer. Is that realistic with bordelon?

And as for container grown bananas, I have had good luck with velutina in containers although they are very suceptible to spider mites indoors if kept growing. Cavendish do well in containers too but Im not sure if they will fruit (they are hard enough to get to fruit outside of containers!)

oakshadows · 05-22-2012, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dalmatiansoap

I have a pseudo IC in 150l pot for a 2.5 years now and still nothing

Maybe your pot is to big.............

Dalmatiansoap · 05-22-2012, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oakshadows

Maybe your pot is to big.............

I hope so

oakshadows · 05-22-2012, 04:41 PM

Will let you know how our Trult Tiny does. We have a large pup to remove and there are 4 more popping up. Will have to do this carefully since my first attempt was fatal to the pups. Wish me luck.

andy17 · 05-23-2012, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dalmatiansoap

I have a pseudo IC in 150l pot for a 2.5 years now and still nothing

@Dalmatiansoap That's really interesting. I just planted an IC in a 2 gallon starter pot (I've always wanted to grow one, but didn't have the room to plant it in the ground this year). I'm not sure it its the pseudo or the real deal. It has pink-orange on the leaf petioles but is blue-green everywhere else. Has it done ok for you in a pot? I know those can get really big. Also, how do you overwinter it?

Dalmatiansoap · 05-23-2012, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andy17

@Dalmatiansoap That's really interesting. I just planted an IC in a 2 gallon starter pot (I've always wanted to grow one, but didn't have the room to plant it in the ground this year). I'm not sure it its the pseudo or the real deal. It has pink-orange on the leaf petioles but is blue-green everywhere else. Has it done ok for you in a pot? I know those can get really big. Also, how do you overwinter it?

It overwintered well, pasive protection, meaning it was under the deck, min. temp. about 2C I belive, no problems at all. Slow growing baby, I would like for it to turn out in some dwarf variety

05-12-2012, 12:31 PM	#1 (permalink)
andy17 Location: Northern Alabama Zone: 8a Name: Andy Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 308 BananaBucks : 136,416 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 269 Times Was Thanked 172 Times in 116 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 20 Times	Good Banana Cultivars for Container Growing Hello everyone, I am new to the bananas.org community, but I have found it to be really helpful. With summer almost in full swing here in the Deep South (zone 8a-8b), I am wanting to grow some banana plants now that the weather is so nice and tropical. However, I am a little short on space, so for at least this year, I will really have to stick with growing them in container. Are there any "tried and true" varieties than anyone can recommend for container growing? Right now I'm looking at the 1000 Fingers and Grand Nain, but I'm not sure how they would do in a container for the first year. The Blue Java is really cool as well, but I know those guys are giants. Any help would be really appreciated! Thanks

05-12-2012, 05:36 PM	#3 (permalink)
momoese Banana grower momoese's Photo Gallery Find me on the map! Zone: zone 10 Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 7,593 BananaBucks : 8,553 Feedback: 9 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,763 Times Was Thanked 10,896 Times in 3,314 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 730 Times	Re: Good Banana Cultivars for Container Growing My friend has Cali Gold fruiting in a container.

05-12-2012, 07:41 PM	#4 (permalink)
andy17 Location: Northern Alabama Zone: 8a Name: Andy Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 308 BananaBucks : 136,416 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 269 Times Was Thanked 172 Times in 116 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 20 Times	Re: Good Banana Cultivars for Container Growing @sunfish You've been able to fruit Rajapuri and Double Maohi in a container? That's really cool. What size containers did you use? Also, how did you over winter them? @momoese That's awesome! I've heard it's a really good variety. Do you know where he found it?

05-13-2012, 02:30 PM	#7 (permalink)
andy17 Location: Northern Alabama Zone: 8a Name: Andy Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 308 BananaBucks : 136,416 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 269 Times Was Thanked 172 Times in 116 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 20 Times	Re: Good Banana Cultivars for Container Growing @sunfish very cool your badge says you're in zone 9-10, are you able to get your bananas to fruit without bringing them in for the winter? @momoese Thanks!

05-14-2012, 01:29 AM	#9 (permalink)
venturabananas venturabananas's Photo Gallery Location: Ventura, CA Find me on the map! Zone: 10 Name: Mark Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 2,845 BananaBucks : 286,635 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 1,752 Times Was Thanked 3,969 Times in 1,713 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 39 Times	Re: Good Banana Cultivars for Container Growing Logee's Dwarf Ladyfinger. It hasn't fruited for me yet and hates winter outdoors, but if you can bring it inside for winter, it is one that people have gotten to bloom in relatively small container (e.g., 15 gallon). Seems like many of them can fruit in containers, but will do so at smaller than usual sizes and make a smaller than usual bunch. I've seen "California Misi Luki" (AKA Tall Namwah, Misi Luki Awak) with fruit in a 15 gallon pot. It was only about 6-7' tall and spindly. __________________

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05-14-2012, 02:08 PM	#10 (permalink)
Dalmatiansoap Let there be light Dalmatiansoap's Photo Gallery Location: Makarska, Croatia Find me on the map! Zone: 9 Name: Ante Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 9,161 BananaBucks : 740,279 Feedback: 10 / 100% Said "Thanks" 6,509 Times Was Thanked 8,384 Times in 3,032 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 720 Times	Re: Good Banana Cultivars for Container Growing I have a pseudo IC in 150l pot for a 2.5 years now and still nothing __________________ https://abnb.me/AXJty518xib

05-20-2012, 04:21 PM	#12 (permalink)
andy17 Location: Northern Alabama Zone: 8a Name: Andy Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 308 BananaBucks : 136,416 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 269 Times Was Thanked 172 Times in 116 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 20 Times	Re: Good Banana Cultivars for Container Growing Thanks everyone for the responses! They are definitely helpful. I appreciate all of the feedback.

05-20-2012, 09:14 PM	#13 (permalink)
sandy0225 Northern Tropics sandy0225's Photo Gallery Location: Muncie, Indiana zone 5 Find me on the map! Zone: zone 5 Name: Sandy Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 1,718 BananaBucks : 487,677 Feedback: 31 / 97% Said "Thanks" 38 Times Was Thanked 1,801 Times in 682 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 9 Times	Re: Good Banana Cultivars for Container Growing bordelon bloom really well in containers here in "tropical" zone 5. But the only thing is they don't set fruit that mature. They are sterile and don't have pollen. I do have one that just finished up blooming though, one in full bloom and one that is just shooting a flag leaf. The flowers stay on like 6 months if you prop them up so that the stems don't kink over. __________________ Sandy Burrell Northern Tropics Greenhouse 1501 East Fuson Road Muncie, IN 47302 www.northerntropics.com specializing in bananas, heirloom tomatoes and water gardening plants~ check out our new online store at our website!

05-22-2012, 11:28 AM	#14 (permalink)
andy17 Location: Northern Alabama Zone: 8a Name: Andy Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 308 BananaBucks : 136,416 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 269 Times Was Thanked 172 Times in 116 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 20 Times	Re: Good Banana Cultivars for Container Growing @ Sandy0225 Thanks! Bordelons are really beautiful--I didn't know they did well in containers. I might have to look into to growing some.

05-22-2012, 02:55 PM	#15 (permalink)
palmtree palmtree's Photo Gallery Location: New York City Find me on the map! Zone: 7b Name: Alex C Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 1,016 BananaBucks : 133,470 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 1,492 Times Was Thanked 1,428 Times in 644 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 103 Times	Re: Good Banana Cultivars for Container Growing I have seen some beautiful bordelon specimens in pots, but I didnt know they would flower in pots too! I just got one yesterday so it should be coming in a week or so. I'm still debating on if I should plant it in a small space in the ground (in a spot that gets sun from 7am to about 1pm) or in a pot (and in whatever sun exposure is necessary). I'm expecting the plant to be about 6-12 inches tall when I get it, I hope to get it to be maybe 5 feet tall by the end of the summer. Is that realistic with bordelon? And as for container grown bananas, I have had good luck with velutina in containers although they are very suceptible to spider mites indoors if kept growing. Cavendish do well in containers too but Im not sure if they will fruit (they are hard enough to get to fruit outside of containers!) __________________ Location: New York City, zone 7b

05-22-2012, 04:41 PM	#18 (permalink)
oakshadows oakshadows's Photo Gallery Location: Dunnellon, Florida Find me on the map! Zone: 9b Name: Noah Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 1,064 BananaBucks : 48,262 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 2,207 Times Was Thanked 847 Times in 514 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 437 Times	Re: Good Banana Cultivars for Container Growing Will let you know how our Trult Tiny does. We have a large pup to remove and there are 4 more popping up. Will have to do this carefully since my first attempt was fatal to the pups. Wish me luck. __________________ "What this country needs is dirtier fingernails and cleaner minds."

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