About Timon Expertise I can answer questions on banana and date plants. I have been growing them for 2 years and know a great deal about their care. However, I am willing to research your questions on other exotic fruits.
Experience I have been growing banana plants for 2 yrs and know a great deal about their care.
Question Hi Timon,
I have aquired a Banana Tree, here are some questions, where I am there seems to be a lack of experts on the Banana Tree.
1) Roots. (a) Do they have a huge root system?
(b) Will they do damage to the structure or foundations of a building?
(c) If planted near an underground water pipeline - apprx.1/2metre deep pipeline - will they create problems?
2) Planting (a) How far apart should each sapling be planted?
(b) What depth and size of the hole?
(c) What type of situation does it do best in? - sheltered, shady, open garden etc?
3) Before planting, should the soil be prepared with additives - bone meal etc?
4) How much watering?
5) When could I expect the first "hands" of Bananas?
6) I believe they shoot up plenty of "baby" saplings? what must I do? - cut & replant? if so how & when?
7) Do I feed it? if so whats is best for the best crop yield?
Hopefully you are able to supply answers to some of my above questions. Oh! I live in an area which has consistant steady windy conditions, we have rainfall mainly in winter, cold (not below 5c) and frost free winters, hot & humid to dry summers
(seldom above 30c).
Thanks.
Answer Hello Lin,
I will try to answer all your questions.
1) Roots. (a) Do they have a huge root system? Banana plants are perennial herbs. They are the tallest and the largest of the perennial herbs. There roots are like those of perennial herbs. They are skinny, branch out, and long. The larger they get the more roots they send out and the more nutrients they need. There root system is around 3 cubic feet at the most.
(b) Will they do damage to the structure or foundations of a building? I am not quite sure on this questions, but I believe that they wouldn't do any damage. And if so it would be very small.
(c) If planted near an underground water pipeline - apprx.1/2metre deep pipeline - will they create problems? I don't believe that they would create any problems. The roots would most likely grow around the water pipeline.
2) Planting (a) How far apart should each sapling be planted? At least 3 feet apart.
(b) What depth and size of the hole? This depends on the size of the sapling. Try to make the hole twice as long as the sapling and wide enough so that the sapling can fit in. The soil should be loose and not patted down by hand. Let water naturally pat it down.
(c) What type of situation does it do best in? - sheltered, shady, open garden etc? This depends on the type of banana plant.
3) Before planting, should the soil be prepared with additives - bone meal etc? Check out the site below for this question.
4) How much watering? Check out the site below for this question.
5) When could I expect the first "hands" of Bananas? This depends on the type on Banana plant.
6) I believe they shoot up plenty of "baby" saplings? what must I do? - cut & replant? if so how & when? Check out the site below for this question.
7) Do I feed it? if so whats is best for the best crop yield? Check out the site below for this question.
A great site for Banana plant growers is http://www.gardenweb.com/ This site has helped me a lot. Click on the Forums link on the home page. Then skim your way down till you see (Types of Plants) and there click on the Bananas link. This is the Banana Forum were expert banana growers can answer your more specific questions. You can become a member. It's free and then be able to post your questions.
If you have any other questions don't please hesitate to ask.
