Originally Posted by Botanical_Bryce (Post 268054)

I wish I could access mushroom compost.

Originally Posted by Natureboy (Post 268053)

Getting back to the inputs of "grass clippings, coffee grinds and such" and speaking only of experience growing bananas in FL, I can testify to the benefits of adding organic material in general to the soil. Richard seems to be keen on chemical fertilizers - and that's fine. I would just like to try to achieve the same or better results without them.

In my experience, *in Florida*, best results have been with moderate doses of Espoma (Holly or Citrus), fine mulch, coffee grounds, wood ash, and bi-annual thick applications of mushroom compost. Over the past couple years, I've found mushroom compost to be the key for me. It loosens up the soil and attracts huge amounts of earthworms. 200 fingers on my latest Namwah is enough direct evidence for me. Before using mushroom compost, I may have topped out at 120.

Originally Posted by Botanical_Bryce (Post 268059)

Are those old pictures or did you not freeze?

Originally Posted by Natureboy (Post 268053)

... Over the past couple years, I've found mushroom compost to be the key for me. ...

Originally Posted by Natureboy (Post 268053)

Getting back to the inputs of "grass clippings, coffee grinds and such" ...

Richard seems to be keen on chemical fertilizers

I would just like to try to achieve the same or better results without them.

Originally Posted by Botanical_Bryce (Post 268059)

Are those old pictures or did you not freeze?

Originally Posted by Botanical_Bryce (Post 268428)

Some of my first corms popping are the ones planted in pure chunks of biochar.

Originally Posted by a.hulva@coxinet.net (Post 268434)

I am thinking of starting off this spring by trying to get my bare rooted plants started rooting in some media and then planting in the ground from there. Thanks:0519:

Originally Posted by PR-Giants (Post 268437)

I've been doing that for a while, just planted another beautiful Manini a few minutes ago. The roots grow quickly in a very loose medium and to make transplanting less stressful I remove the bottom of the pot, put the whole thing in the ground and then lift the outer part of the pot over the leaves.