hydro fert
 

What would be the best nutrient solution for doing a banana dwc in say a 5 gallon bucket?

Re: hydro fert
 

I used maxi grow by general hydroponics. Grew bananas like nobodies business.

It is easy to use and works well.

Keith

Re: hydro fert
 

Sweet, thanks! I will have to pick some up.

Re: hydro fert
 

How long did it take for your plant to produce fruit?

Re: hydro fert
 

And what was your hydro setup like?

Re: hydro fert
 

It never did, but through no fault of its own, i broke the system down before it had a chance.

Re: hydro fert
 

What would be the best way to get a decent sized net pot for my DC? I figure when it gets to fruiting size, the p-stem will probably around 10-12 inches or so, and the biggest I've seen is 12 inches, and I'll need room for pups. I plan on getting a 32 gallon garbage can from Ace so I'll have plenty of room.

Re: hydro fert
 

That's a decent size. I'd leave out the net, start with a big bag of hydroton and put a coarse 1/8th inch screen over the output. As the corm grows it will push hydroton out the top so keep a 2nd bucket handy to collect it.

The nutrient formula you're aiming for is 4-4-7 or something proportional to that.

Re: hydro fert
 

If I'm reading this correctly, your saying to forgo the net pot and just use the bag of hydroton as the netpot?

Re: hydro fert
 

Yes. The corm is going to expand tremendously over time.

Re: hydro fert
 

Gotcha. Now I just gotta figure out what to use to hold the bag up in the water....

Re: hydro fert
 

You're joking ... ?

Just pour the hydroton into your tub, after screening off the output to keep pieces from going out the pipe.

Re: hydro fert
 

Forgive me for being confused, but is this what you are trying to explain:

The first one is a regular DWC with a net pot and the second one is what I am understanding you to say.

Re: hydro fert
 

That bag idea is not bad. I think I will try and find some of that plastic net stuff that oranges come in.

If I have been following this correctly he will be using a deep water culture so I don't think he will have an output except for the air stone which I don't think is an output. I could be all wrong on this so if I am don't mind me.

I use a DWC to start my bananas off then I will pot them up later. I use General Hydroponics Flora Grow, works great. It is 2-1-6, the 4-4-7 may work better though. All I know is that I switched from a nutrient that used less potassium and now they are putting out roots everywhere:)

Re: hydro fert
 

I believe he is referring to a culture method called semi-hydro. The hydroton is an inert LECA (lightweight expanded clay aggregate) material that gives the roots something to cling to, provides body to help hold the plant upright, and allows the hydroponic liquid to flow somewhat freely. You need a container (a LARGE container for a banana) to hold the liquid and the hydroton, but there must be some sort of barrier so the hydroton stays in place and supports your plant. Hydroton is like an inert potting mix - it holds the plant/roots steady, and allows the liquid to circulate.

Re: hydro fert
 

So I transplanted the nanner to a 5 gallon bucket DWC and have some transplant shock, which I was expecting. Any idea on how long this typically lasts?

Re: hydro fert
 

3 weeks.

Re: hydro fert
 

I had some transplant shock as well and had to remove some baby leaves because they got soft and brown. It is still growing though and hopefully will recover soon.

Re: hydro fert
 

so im kinda hijacking my own thread from fertilizer to progress pics, but meh.

got some new growth now after transplating to hydro

Re: hydro fert
 

I had one that was dying for months, but holding on all it could.Bought it in October I think. Finally I switched to hydro about a month ago. It started to grow roots a week or so ago and now it is pushing up a leaf.