Bananas, palms, etc. (photo heavy)

17 years ago

And if I manage to actual post pics, I apologize ahead of time for any sizing problems. It's been awhile since I have posted pics. Also, my camera is an old one and the pics aren't the best. But, some of you asked so.............. :)

Greenhouse winter '08

Elephant ears, moonflower pole and tiki guy

lime green, purple veined Coleus

{{gwi:516255}}

musa lasciocarpa

Gran Nain banana (maybe Orinoco)

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Comments (15)

moonie_57 (8 NC)
Original Author
17 years ago
So sorry! Sheesh!
I need to learn how to do thumbnails!
veta
17 years ago
Love the pics. Thanks.
Veta
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If you averaged your winters lows over a 15-30 year period, which is what the USDA does, I think your area would be a solid 7b, but nowhere near an 8b or 9a. Not even Virginia Beach gets a solid 8b and is consequently still a zone 8a on the USDA zone map. Microclimates aside, you could possibly have to deal with 7a and even the ever more rare 6b temp in that period of time. Atlanta has even had zone 6a temps in a 30 year period. Milorganite is fine for the Trachy too and I use it in addition to palm fertilizer. I would up pot the bananas in a month or so and fertilize again. Musa Basjoo is corm hardy in our area and even futher north, so it can be planted in the ground and left out for the winter. It will grow much larger in the ground than in a pot anyday.
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I think that this issue bothers me more than most because of the area I am in. The majority of people here don't have enough dispensible income to buy plants and it is a difficult climate to grow a lot of different plants, so most people don't even care about plants. The nurseries around here have the same attitude and seem to not really care of the quality of their plants. It is very difficult to find plants that don't have problems. It's probably a 50/50 chance trying to find a plant that has a problem. In fact, I worked at a landscaping business here and I have heard my boss talk about plants that have been in the same 5 gallon container for their 4th year. The large nursery I worked for was in Oregon and it was much different there than here. People had the money, they had more knowledge, and there was also much more competition. Repotting was a problem at that nursery but the majority of our plants were excellent quality. Also because people were more educated about plants, any plants that weren't up to quality weren't bought. The plants that weren't up to quality just didn't sell. Like I said, I can't speak for every nursery but I know at this nursery I worked out, we had a large enough staff but there were problems w/ organization that even the owner would admit. I was able to visit many nurseries while I was in Oregon and I noticed that the most organized nurseries seemed to have the least amount of problems. I don't pull the plant out of the container either for the same reason you don't. What I have had luck with though is I have found a nursery where basically any plant I pick is going to be perfect. The only problem is, its two hours away but its worth it to me in the end. I agree with you about the label on plants also AND how some nurseries don't have the label or price on a SINGLE plant. You have to talk to someone at the front desk, then they have to look it up for every single plant!
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I'd advise against it. Banana plant roots are never an issue, so don't worry about that. The main problems are threefold: Water, Sun & Space Water: Plants grown against houses often suffer a lack of water. You could water the area for 20 minutes every day and it wouldn't compare to what one good rain storm will bring in 5 minutes. Sun: Banana plants love full sun in humid climates. Though they may not grow toward the sunlight like your palms do, they're just as greedy for it. Space: Even "dwarf" banana plants can reach 8-12ft, depending on variety. An 8ft plant, for example, can have up to a 6ft leaf length, and can stretch up to 8ft when first emerging from the pseudo-stem. That means an 8ft plant can literally double in height to 16ft when accounting for new leaves. Could a banana plant survive in that location? More than likely, yes. Will it thrive? Unlikely. Mike
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hayjud_mn
17 years ago
Your pictures turned out great! That first one about took my breathe away!

I don't know where you live, but it's sure not MN!

Photobucket has a setting (I think) where they change the photo to 800x600. I like that feature because it takes a lot of hassle out of doing pictures. I don't pay any attention to there size anymore.

You did as good a job with the pictures as you do with your plants.
Thank you for sharing!
lattefairy
17 years ago
Wow! Your plants look so beautiful!

Don't worry about the size of the pictures. That's a really nice size where you can appreciate a lot more detail. Thanks for sharing these lovely pictures!
susan_on
17 years ago
Just beautiful!
Jasdip
17 years ago
I'm so envious! A greenhouse would be fantastic to have!
Hmmm since you're familiar with banana plants, can you give me an idea why my large one (indoors) has yellow and brown, curling leaves?
I had one that I put on my balcony a couple years ago, then the edges started to curl and crinkle, so I haven't put them outside after that. Yet they are a sun-loving plant in the wild...
helencolby
17 years ago
Those are nice photos, and I too envy you your greenhouse and green thumb. Those are just lovely, especially the Lime Green Coleus. I may try to find some of that to plant in a shady area in our yard. It sure would brighten it up some.

Helen
mcmann
17 years ago
Your photos were perfect. I've never seen banana trees. How large do they have to be to bear fruit?
moonie_57 (8 NC)
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks everyone!

jasdip - it's a good possibility that your indoor banana is lacking humidity, and/or overwatering or underwatering. If it was me, I would begin to sit it out on the balcony, but not in direct sun for the first week. Acclimate it slowly before tossing her into full sun. Water good everyday that it is receiving full sun. Also, you will lose the older leaves as it grows... indoors or outdoors.

mcmann - good question! It really depends on the variety, but there are some that say a certain amount of leaf production before blooming. Think it might be 32 leaves. I've only had one bloom before and then cold weather came, the banana melted before fruit could develop and ripen.
susan_on
17 years ago
Jasdip, bananas need an incredible amount of fertilizing. Moonie is correct that you need to acclimatize it to the sun, but they are sun worshippers and grow quickly under the right conditions. I'm told to use a 30-10-10 fertilizer (the nitrogen component will help the leaf yellowing problem) and people swear by fish emulsion.
rthummer
17 years ago
I loved the photos just as they were, but I have satellite. Someone will help you with thumbnails, though. I don't know how.
susan_on
17 years ago
There is a GREAT banana forum here:

Here is a link that might be useful: Banana forum
User
17 years ago
Very nice!
moonie_57 (8 NC)
Original Author
17 years ago
jasdip - susan is right on about bananas being heavy feeders.. and drinkers. Also, your yellowing leaves could be caused by lack of light since you're keeping it indoors. Fish emulsion -is- great but with low numbers I would also use something else with numbers similar to what susan suggested. If you keep it indoors, the watering and fert needs will be less. It definitely won't be at it's best inside.

rthummer - I'll have to check on the thumbnail thingy. It should be easy as pie. We'll see!

Thanks joann! :)
JoanMN
17 years ago
I think your pictures are terrific!
JOanMN

Bananas, palms, etc. (photo heavy)

Comments (15)

moonie_57 (8 NC)
Original Author

veta

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Bananas, palms, etc. (photo heavy)

Comments (15)

moonie_57 (8 NC)Original Author

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