Re: Musa/clay

I was told that you cannot overwater or overfertilize bananas. Alas,  
I do have heavy (understatement) clay. Will see how M. basjoo works  
in a pot. Fruit is not necessary, I just want a healthy plant.

Cathy, west central IL, z5b

On Sep 5, 2005, at 12:59 PM, james singer wrote:

> My perspective, Noreen, is not very helpful. I've had only mixed  
> success with bananas, the edible type. In the last 6 years, I've  
> had only three crops--two Cuban reds and one dwarf cavendish. They  
> are planted in shade, part shade, and full sun. They are planted in  
> Florida black sand with enough irrigation to keep them from drying  
> out. I don't fertilize them; likely should. They've never been  
> harmed by cold.
>
> Mostly, I've ignored them.
>
> I have two suspicions--one, I need to fertilize them, maybe  
> heavily; and, two, I may need to up their irrigation schedule,  
> especially for those in full sun.
>
> On Sep 5, 2005, at 1:20 PM, David Franzman wrote:
>
>
>> Hi Noreen
>>
>> All of the information on culture for musas that I have found has  
>> suggested sandy loam for the soil medium.  I will confess that my  
>> interest lies with hardy or semi hardy bananas and so I have only  
>> looked at about a half dozen varieties.  However it seems that for  
>> the many folks I have talked with who have had stunted and under- 
>> developed bananas, the root (pardon the pun) cause has been heavy  
>> soils.  Here's a site that gives some care instructions including  
>> the suggestions of sandy loamy soil.
>>
>> http://members.fortunecity.com/coldhardyplants/hardiness/ 
>> musa_basjoo.htm
>>
>> David
>> http://www.atouchofthetropics.net
>> ----- Original Message ----- From: <TeichFlora@aol.com>
>> To: <gardenchat@hort.net>
>> Sent: Saturday, September 03, 2005 7:38 PM
>> Subject: Re: [CHAT] Musa/clay
>>
>>
>>
>>> Perhaps different species of Musa make a difference.  I have an  
>>> edible
>>> banana, planted in the worst clay soil, goes through flooding at  
>>> times, and  does
>>> wonderfully, producing clusters of the best tasting bananas  
>>> every  year. Most
>>> of the bananas here in this area seem to be planted  in areas  
>>> where not much
>>> else will grow, much like cannas, or such.  Perhaps  other  
>>> climate conditions
>>> dictate how well they do in clay....how quickly it  dries out,  
>>> humidity, or
>>> such.  I dont' know, I can just say what my  experience has  
>>> been.  Jim might have
>>> more perspective on this.
>>> Noreen
>>> zone 9
>>> Texas Gulf Coast
>>>
>>> In a message dated 9/2/2005 11:02:35 PM Central Standard Time,
>>> gardenchat-owner@hort.net writes:
>>>
>>> I've seen 'gardening in pure clay' in some of your questions/ 
>>> responses.
>>> Do  your M. basjoo grow in this 'pure clay', or to you have to  
>>> amend it
>>> with  something(s) ? I have the same curse.
>>> David: What say you about this  growing question ?
>>>
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>>
> Island Jim
> Southwest Florida
> 27.0 N, 82.4 W
> Hardiness Zone 10
> Heat Zone 10
> Minimum 30 F [-1 C]
> Maximum 100 F [38 C]
>
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