Banana Culture

Musa spp.

Origin

Southeast Asia

The banana plant is a fast growing herbaceous perenial, or can be used as an annual in norther climates. Bananas can also be grown sucessfully as houseplants and are limited only to the size of the area you are growing them in. Bananas can range from 3 foot tall (Super Dwarf) to over 25 feet tall (Saba)

Light

Most banana's do best in a full sun location, yet can handle some shade. If you are not as interested in fruit I have noticed many varieties do well in quite a bit of shade outdoors.

Climate, and planting

Indoors or out banans love heat and humidity. The best temperature range is 55F to 85F. Adding humidity is also encouraged. When the ground has warmed up plant your banana outdoors in a warm sunny location at the same level it was in the container. Bananas prefer a lighly acidic pH about 6-6.5. Keep your banana moist, mulched and start your fertilizer program about 1-2 weeks after planting. If you live in a cooler climate and are growing your bananas as an annual its best to start them in a container with a high quality potting mix. When the first frost nears in the fall you can remove the small suckers and place them in containers, and then dig up your banana plant and place it in a cool dark area until spring. The banana will stay dormant for the winter.

Fertilizer

Bananas are heavy feeders and if you want optimum growth and good fruit your fertilizer program is very important.
In the ground
Fertilizer requirements may vary from one location to another if you are growing bananas in the ground, but the University of Florida recommends starting a small banana with 1 pound of a 6-2-12 mixture, with complete micro nutrients applied every 2 months, and slowly increasing to 5-6 pounds by the time your banana plant starts to flower. Make sure to wait until the soils warms and night time temps are averaging near 55F before starting your fertilizing. In alkaline soils its good to use an acid forming fertilizer too.
In a container
Inside or out a banana growing in a container will benefit from a slow release fertilizer, with a ratio similar to 3-1-6 (ex. 6-2-12). Make sure to check the label for micronutrients. When applying the fertilizer to a containerized banana stay on the lighter side for bananas growing in shady locations, and a little heavier for those growing in full sun.

Flowering and Fruiting

A single banana stem will only flower and produce fruit once and then quickly dies, but is normally replaced by a sucker that will start to grow months before the flower process begins. Its best to only allow 1-2 of these suckers to remain for good growth and fruit quality.

Harvesting
You will know it’s time to harvest your bananas as soon as they start to turn yellow. Allow your bananas to ripen, hung in a cool shady location.

Problems
If you are having any problems, or questions growing bananas please vist our message boards.