skip to main content

Tropical Plants

Growing Musa Basjoo in sandy soil

18 years ago

I have a sandy beach area by my creek in my back yard that I transplanted some of my Musa Basjoos in. I was wondering how bananas grow in sandy soil. Has anyone had any experience growing bananas in sandy soil?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

bihai
18 years ago
My soil is nothing but pure unadulterated Florida sand and they do great. Of course I fertilize them, which you probably will NOT want to do with them so close to a natural body of water....
steve_nc_7b
18 years ago
They will do fine, because they love well draining soil, however they would do much better if you worked in a lot of organtics in the soil. I take it that you didn't plant them so close to the creek that they will have wet feet.
Related Discussions
musa basjoo in pure sand?
Q
Comments (2)
Compost! Pine mulch etc. piled high and deep will do the job. The bagged pine mulch sold in the south works great once it sits,settles and breaks down. Mix with whatever your budget will afford. I build a high mound of good organic,cheap mulch,potting soil and mine take off! Plant at ground level and they will do nothing.high
...See More
First time growing musa basjoo need tips
Q
Comments (11)
My musa basjoo grew to about 4 feet the first year, from a seedling in spring. I think that bananas in general grow quicker planted directly in the ground than in a pot (providing you have good soil). I basically put composted manure in the soil and then used miracle grow during the season. As I wouldn't have a chance overwintering mine outdoors, I dug out of the ground, potted, and kept in a bright window for the winter. Full sun is best but my window was a north window with not much sun. Anyways, I watered pretty sparingly (as the plant wasn't active in growth) and didn't fertilized, and sprayed every once in a while with neem oil and water (as a precaution against bugs). So now they are back outside planted in a flower bed. The only bad thing is when they adjust back to outside, the leaves it grew indoors pretty well get tattered in the wind, sun burnt and eventually yellow and die, but the new leaves it gets once it's used to full sun are stronger and nicer looking. Glen
...See More
Getting started with Musa Basjoo (Newbie)
Q
Comments (13)
Brian is right on. Buy them now, stick them in pots full of a rich organic mix and let them grow inside. If they get pleny of sunlight and a decent amount of water, by the time spring comes around the corm will be nicely developed and it will have enough leaves for vigorous growth when you transplant it into the ground. Very occasionally Home Depots in GA will carry them. Your best bet around here is to find a nursery that can order one for you, or search online and get one shipped to you. Good luck.
...See More
Planted Musa Basjoo. Curious about health
Q
Comments (2)
It just may be that the leaves it previously had were developed indoors/in the greenhouse. Sometimes this may mean they are a bit floppy and subject to breakage and drooping. There was likely no wind inside the greenhouse and if the light wasn't that bright, sometimes the leaves are thinner and more subject to breaking/flopping. The new leaves coming, in the bright sun of outdoors, will probably be stronger and look nicer. On the subject of watering, you mention you water every other day. I know they say bananas love moisture but be careful not to over do the watering, let it dry out somewhat inbetween waterings, especially if the weather is still cool (wet soil and cold temperatures could rot the plant.) Glen
...See More
bihai
18 years ago
It doesn't really matter if they have wet feet. I have 2 growing in a natural bog that never dries up. They do fine. They are planted right alongside with Egyptian papyrus, thalia (aquatic canna), Colocasias Black Magic, Imperial, and Chicago Harlequin, Hedychium gigners (yes they love wet feet), Red Beauty cannas, and swamp mallow. Some bananas may not like wet feet, but Basjoo will grow in a bog no problem so a creek bank should present absolutely no problem.
braspadya
18 years ago
I would second Steve's advice about not planting your M. basjoo too close to the stream. As you try to grow semi-tropical plants like this further north, rotting the roots & corms in the winter time becomes a bigger concern.

Several people that I have spoken to in my area (Washington DC) have lost their basjoos to cold wet winters in our area.

Hope that this helps,

Dan
beachplant
18 years ago
I too have what seems to be pure sand, my garden buddies in Dallas tease me about it. The bananas love it. I dig it out of the garden for the potted ones, they do better than in garden or potting soil. Tally HO!
bihai
18 years ago
Sorry, you may be right I didn't really take into consideration your colder zone. Our winters are extremely mild here, most times the bananas may or may not lose their leaves.

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES A Mom, a Garden and a Gift for the Neighbors

By Steve Asbell

Gardening can be therapeutic in unexpected ways. See how one gardener found peace and purpose in a patch of Florida soil

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Bring the Tropics to Your Cold-Climate Garden

Delightfully deceptive, these plants combine a durable nature with a tropical look to add a touch of the exotic to cooler landscapes

Sponsored

Davidson Builders

1 Review

Franklin County's Full-Scale General Contractor

More Discussions

Tips/Advice/Examples of Growing Medinilla Apoensis in ground, Zone 10b

0

Which Dracaena is this?

2

Meyer Lime (tastes and smells like a Limey/Orange)

16

Monstera in zone 8?

2

Tree fern in Panama turns dying fronds into new roots

0