Zebrina,banana

It can take 35* without no leaf damage here,I let mine die back all the way to the corm and replanted early spring,first of march or so.
You must lift it out of the ground,only hardy down to zone 8.

Thanks Don! Ü

Was thinking I could fit it out in a parka but ....... ;)

Wow how nice color is purple leaf. I love nanna.
I have nannas just now from my son's boss gave me a lot and there has baby nannas so happy to have it finally so exciting that nanna plants need to be full sun or what?

This message was edited Sep 18, 2005 7:33 PM

Most take full sun.
The babies need a little protection though.
They usually have the Mother plant shading them at first.

Ric

I agree with Ric on that ,or the babies might get burned leaves before they have a chance to open.

What the best to feed plant food for nanna?

When there young,I give mine a little extra nitrogen and potassium,for leaf and root production,and when there older amd mature a little more phosphate,for fruiting,and all the compost it wants!!!

I'd say a high in nitrogen and high in potasium fert is your best bet.
Something like a 10:2:10.
Feed them heavy thru late Summer/Early Fall.
Back off on the fert until you see new leaves in the Spring.

A tip from Aloha_Hoya is to put your banana peels right at the base of the plant instead of in the compost pile.
They break down quickly and add loads of potasium.

I pot ours in 1/3 compost, 1/3 topsoil and 1/3 manure.
You want something that will take a LOT of water but still drain well.
From Spring until they go dormant in the Fall you can't overwater them.
They just can't sit in water.

Ric

Don this pics for you! Without your help I can't imagine that I would have gotten a six inch banana tree to grow to four feet (in one Saskatchewan summer ;).

Wow! Lilypon!
That is a fine healthy looking banana,and growing in a pot too!!!
I think it was more your green thumb than my helping you!!!!!
But I'll take the compliement just the same!!!!LOL

Ooooooooops pic was taken after I dug it up (should've menioned that;)......... it *was* growing in the ground. I didn't have the nerve to chop the top off it.....my other hardy banana died back last winter (when it went dormant) so I guess this one will do it too.

p.s. it has PUPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D Ü :D One six inch one that looks like its' mother did when I got it from weeds and another one that is *just* breaking ground. :D

I havent dug my banana yet. I have to round up some muscle soon. Should I chop the top off and put in the basement with the brugs? Or should I just let it whole? I think its too tall for any storage area I have. Directions please. I know it has 2 pups.
Dixie

Lil. what ever your doing must be right having pups and all!!!!
Dixie,if possible leave one or two of the last leaves on your banana,take off the rest,store in your basement.

Tropicman do you think your plant is losing its red as it matures? I have noticed this in many of the clones of zebrina blood banana not that it loses total redness but like your plant it does not stay as deep red? I was hoping your form would stay I had seen this on smaller plants as well as variegations of red pink and green all on one plant but it loses it with maturity. Their is one thing to look forward to though. That is this new banana I hope to be growing very soon. I believe this was collected in samatura. It aparently does not lose its red leaves.

Thanks T--- It is too tall for my basement. I guess I could lay it down, would that work?? What abt water? dixie

Should the root ball be bagged, wrapped ,potted ('-'?)

All the pups you sent me last year are growing great, I hope your trade plants did as well for you.

'coulda kicked myself....... While pulling comfrey leaves from under da nanas I yanked out a nice Zebrina pup . cry-cry

I was surprised to see pups on such a young plant.

Brian,that red banana is one to collect for sure!!!
So far it is staying pretty much the same,but every one I've had before did lose a lot of color as it matured.
Dixie,sure layer down on the floor will work,
Lil, no need to wrap or pot,just let it go dormant,for when you plant it again next spring it will grow new roots,and new leaves will soon follow!

WOW Brian. What is the name of that red banana? I can't wait for it to be available.

Thanks Don I will follow your directions! :)

That red one is not yet named it is a species but a variety of a rare form. I will be one of the first to have it here in the states. It is extremely rare

Brian I'm wondering if this new vareity will take to tissue cultures much better than AE AE varigated banana,for I believe it will be just as much sought after as the ae ae !

Tropicman
After following you thread on the zebrina I was excited when I found one locally here in Key West before Rita hit. Anyway I left in in its pot while we evacuated and when I got back i realised that it must have fallen over on its side because it is now growing at 90 degrees to the pot.

I want to put it in the ground as it got a beating from the winds but am not sure how to go about planting it.

If I put the plant facing up the roots will be sideways, if I put the roots in straight the plant will be lying on the ground.

Any Ideas, I hope you can understand what Im talking about , I can get a photo tomorrow if you like.

Thanks Neil

I'd plant it like normal,I think in time it will straighten back up,once the sun shines on it for a few days,if not you'll be the first one to have a bonsi banana plant!!!LOL
This is a first for me,let me know how you come out,maybe someone else may have an idea as well.
What say ye fellow banana lovers and growers!!!

Update,I've dug up my Zebrina,and brought it in for the winter,and have noticed it lighten up some,now thats its not getting direct sunshine,been 2 weeks inside,but I'll be happy if it doesn't lose anymore red than it has,