Using Miracle Grow 24-8-16
 

~ My plants are not growing very fast and are producing smaller leafs. The SDC Banana plant has not grown much in the last few weeks. As I feel I am getting most of the light to my plants as is possible for me to provide (14 hrs. on of a 4ft. 6 tube T5 6400K fixture). I feel my weakest point is not enough fertilizer based on my research here at Bananas.org. The Natural Dr. Earth 6-4-6 tropical fertilizer I bought is not enough and it is not water soluable so is not being released/absorbed into the soil as fast as the plant needs it. Banana plants needs a LOT of nutrients and they want it now :)

~ For plant growth it seems an ideal choice for my Banana plants would be Grow More Fertilizer with an N-P-K of 20-6-16. As shipping cost can almost be as much or more than the product itself at "Plants that Produce". The closest to this ideal product I have found locally is Miracle Gro All Purpose Plant Food, 5 lb (product #1001232) at 24-8-16.

~ I purchased and fed my Cavendish some Miracle Grow at the rate of ONE Tablespoon 24-8-16 to ONE Gallon of water. (I also purchased a galvanized one gallon watering can) This is more than the recommended amount on the packaging but I wanted to give my plant a good boost. The package states 1 teaspoon per Gallon for indoor potted plants. I will at least reduce this amount to 2 teaspoons per Gallon even if I do feed my SD Cavendish more than the recommended amount. Ideas from others with success at other feeding rates are welcome.

~ To encourage the fruiting phase I have not yet found a local alternative to Fruit Gel with an N-P-K of 16-8-24. I will keep an eye out for something but it appears it is without a local equal. Suggestions welcome.

Re: Using Miracle Grow 24-8-16
 

For the amount of light you are providing the plant I recommend you cut the dosage to 1 tsp / gallon.

Re: Using Miracle Grow 24-8-16
 

Your SDC is beautiful. How old is it? Any fruit in the past?

Re: Using Miracle Grow 24-8-16
 

~ It was a gift from my wife in the form a 4" start from Logee's in June 2013. If you want its entire history visit my Banana Blog

~ No it has never fruited yet, but perhaps this summer?? I look forward to when it warms up and I roll it back outside :0519: and it can get some good outside light to see its growth. :2208:

~ It has five Pups though and I have a waiting list for those that would like a puppy. I am not an expert but I really think one of them(as seen in picture) would have a large enough corm to survive separation from Mom. Assisting the birthing of my first pup will be a big and scary experience for Dad. :birthdaynana:

~ I have thought about making a hoop greenhouse to start a plant pup outside and then mulching it through the days it freezes during the winter. We only get a few freezing weeks and usually only lasts a few days at a time, perhaps a week at a time. It will definitely go into hibernation but it will have a good chance at survival in our area if I exercise proper care. :coldbanana: This would be a new growing experience for me. This will be researched further in another thread when the time comes. :2738:

Re: Using Miracle Grow 24-8-16
 

I now have some Fruit Fuel. I look forward to it helping my SDC along to its blooming stage. Miracle grow works great for my other plants.

Re: Using Miracle Grow 24-8-16
 

How has the Miracle Grow formula been working for you? Did you get any leaf burn after you brought it outside? Lots of new growth?

Re: Using Miracle Grow 24-8-16
 

Actually I have not taken it outside yet. I was just thinking about moving him out today. It has grown quite a lot over the winter but I do need to get it outside to some better light. I have been using the Fruit Fuel for my banana tree and using the Miracle Grow for our other plants. I guess I will have to get back to this post after it has been outside a while with how he takes to the outdoors.

Here is a more up to date picture (along with my wife) in its new pot to compare its growth with over the winter. I have one pup in another pot and before long I will need to divide off some more.

Re: Using Miracle Grow 24-8-16
 

Moved Caven outside, gave him a good watering and fertilized him.

Re: Using Miracle Grow 24-8-16
 

Becareful with sun burn. Don't want to make that beautiful plant ugly! I would place it in filtered light for the first week or so.

Re: Using Miracle Grow 24-8-16
 

Doing quite well outside.

This is soon after I put it outside. I removed the two largest pups when they got over a foot and planted them in the ground. The smaller center pup will be removed later.


When this next pup got to over a foot I removed and planted him in the ground. I learned today a may have homes for the pups, meawhile they are learning to root on there own.

Re: Using Miracle Grow 24-8-16
 

Groovy...Looks Great! :08:

Re: Using Miracle Grow 24-8-16
 

Awesome....:08:

Re: Using Miracle Grow 24-8-16
 

Here is a shot I took today, I am pleased with its growth but, it is now blooming time to let up on making more pups. I have removed three of them now that have gotten over a foot tall. Oh, well I will just appreciate the bloom all the more when it happens. I am going to have to make a hoop green house to protect it during the winter as it is just to big for our house. Don't get me wrong I am enjoying all its growth.

Re: Using Miracle Grow 24-8-16
 

Plant looks fantastic but im not sure a hoop house will be enough to keep it alive in your area. SDC do not tolerate freezes at all. Do u get many cold nights?

Re: Using Miracle Grow 24-8-16
 

As we are getting even more diverted off the topic of fertilizing than I already have already diverted from the subject myself I decided to take this to another thread: Winterizing an SDC in zone 8b just in case this thread has any hope of getting back on topic, can't say I did not try :)