Re: [SG] hardy banana
- To: s*@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU
- Subject: Re: [SG] hardy banana
- From: J* &* P* A* <j*@EMAIL.MSN.COM>
- Date: Tue, 1 Dec 1998 13:04:44 -0600
Claire and all:
I do not attempt to root "cuttings" from banana trees. The tops that were
cut off each fall were tossed in the compost pile. They are too large to
attempt rooting like a small cutting.
The bottom half of each stalk, with the roots attached, went into a cool
basement. They cannot tolerate freezing temperatures, so an unheated garage
is out of the question. They were not watered; they received no sun. They
were ignored. In early spring they'd start to sprout from the top. I would
clean them up and take them outdoors to a shaded area. The roots were buried
temporarily in small mounds of soil until the plants were hardened off. Then
they went into their locations for the season.
The stalks look a lot like corn inside.
Banana trees are propagated by "pups" that come up from the roots. Each pup
can be cut off the mother plant and potted. The mother tree will die after
sending up one or more pups. In my experience, I'd get 3 to 5 pups,
depending on the size of the tree.
I don't have a name for the banana I have. I also have a dwarf that won't
get more than 2-3 feet tall. I keep it potted on a sunny site on our deck.
It is in ordinary potting soil.
Bananas are thirsty; I keep the soil moist but not sloppy wet. The plant on
the deck is usually watered daily; those in ground are watered every 2-3
days, depending on the weather.
The trees have not blossomed since moving to east central Iowa. The growing
season is too short. If I had a greenhouse, a tree might bloom and fruit.
Trim off yellowing leaves, which can be caused by lack of moisture, age of
leaf, sunburn, pests or disease.
Bananas are of easy culture. The major problem is that unless you purchase a
miniature, they'll get very tall (even in the house) and can be difficult to
move.
They add a tropical look to the garden, deck and patio.
Hope this helps.
John G. Adney
Marion, Iowa (zones 4-5)
-----Original Message-----
From: Claire Peplowski <ECPep@AOL.COM>
To: shadegardens@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU <shadegardens@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU>
Date: Tuesday, December 01, 1998 1:33 AM
Subject: Re: [SG] hardy banana
>In a message dated 11/30/98 2:06:26 PM Eastern Standard Time,
>johnadney@EMAIL.MSN.COM writes:
>
><< I grew them in the front yard every summer. In the fall, I would cut
them
> into 4-foot lengths and stack them in a cool basement. In early spring
they
> would start to sprout. They went into the yard for another season of
> blossoming and fruiting.
>
> I had room for one when we moved to Iowa one autumn. It's offspring
continue
> to delight. They are grown in full sun here, and thrive.
>
> John Adney
> Marion, Iowa (zones 4-5) >>
>
>Hi John,
>
>Post the banana culture more completely. How do you cut a banana tree into
>four foot lengths and what temp is the garage. Do you pack the cuttings
(is
>four feet a cutting?) in peat? Have you any idea of the species you are
>growing?
>
>Claire Peplowski
>Also zone 4
>East Nassau, NY
