In tropic, sub-tropic and even desert climates, Musa banana plants are strong and resilient, can be planted in full-sun or full-shade and are easy to care for.
Too Much Sun Can Damage Banana Plants
Banana plants are not picky about the amount of sun that they get, although they tend to bear fruit more readily if they receive plenty of sun. In hotter climates, the leaves are susceptible to burning, as is the fruit, during the sunniest part of the day and so banana plants that are in full-sun may need to be blanketed on their sun-soaked side during hotter months to prevent damage to the leaves and fruit. Too much sun will not kill the plant, but it can damage it and cause the beautiful shade giving leaves to wither.
Planning the Plant’s Location
Because the banana plant is so robust, it can be put into the ground almost anywhere. If the tree is being planted for the purpose of bearing fruit, it is best planted in an area where it will receive at least fifty percent sunshine, but not so much sun that the fruit or leaves will be harmed. If the purpose of the plant is mainly ornamental, it can be planted almost anywhere. It is not advisable to plant a banana tree on salty sand as the roots do not take well to salty soil.
It is recommended that the banana plant is allowed a span of at least four feet around its base to enable the roots to spread wide enough to anchor the top-heavy tree in high winds. As well, banana plants need plenty of room to spread their large leaves, which can span as far as twelve feet in very mature, healthy trees.
Transplanting a Banana Plant from Pot to Ground
When moving the banana plant from its pot and placing it into the ground, dig a hole about two inches deeper than the depth of the pot in which it is growing. Add a layer of fertilized soil to the bottom of the hole and then place the plant into the hole. Add fertilized soil around the edges of the plant to the half-way point and then water the soil to allow for air pockets to level out.
If there is concern for the soil to be poor-draining, add some small pebbles or perlite to the soil to encourage excellent drainage as banana plants do not like stagnant water.
After watering out any air pockets, finish adding soil around the base of the plant and be sure to not pack the soil too much. As with most plants, tightly packed soil discourages the roots from thriving and expanding.
Fertilizing Options for Banana Plants
Although banana plants are resilient, they do thrive in well-fertilized soil. Banana plants like acidic soil, like compost. Adding a layer of compost or mulch to the top of the soil around the base of the plant helps it to grow healthy.
The best mix of soil for banana trees is a balanced fertilizer of equal parts potting soil, compost and pebbles or perlite. If possible, plant banana trees in such a mixture. In the case that such soil is not possible, mulch and compost are beneficial. Even pouring beer over the watering area for the banana plant can help it to grow.
Threats to Banana Trees
There are only three conditions that truly threaten the survival of banana plants:
- poorly draining soil,
- high salt content in soil and
- high winds.
If soil is packed too tightly or not coarse enough, it may not drain water very well. Ensure that stagnant water is not able to sit around the base of the plant as pooled water may lead to root rot and cause the plant to struggle and even perish.
Banana plants do not like a lot of salt in the soil so be careful not to plant too close to shore lines and also do not add ornamental rocks that you have taken from the shore as they tend to hold a high level of sodium which will wash into the soil over time.
Lastly, high winds can uproot banana plants. It is important that banana plants are given enough space to spread their roots for security. If there is concern that the plant will be harmed by high winds, supporting it with a stake is effective.
There are also some fungal threats and insects that can harm banana trees, which should be taken seriously. If a disease or insect problem should arise, seek help of a local specialist to eradicate the problem.
When to Expect Fruit
Banana plants tend not to follow any specific fruit-bearing season. If the plant is in sunshine for at least part of the day, it should bear fruit regularly. If the plant is in full-shade, it may never bear fruit, but it is unusual for a banana tree to never produce fruit, unless of course, it is one of the varieties that does not produce its own fruit.
Banana Trees are That Easy
Planting and caring for a banana tree is simple so long as basic guidelines are followed with regards to soil composition and water drainage:
- Do not give it too much sun if it can be avoided
- Make sure the soil can easily drain
- Give it enough space to spread its roots
- Use compost or well-balanced soil
- Make sure its supported in high-wind conditions
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