| Light: | HIGH LIGHT | | Plant Care: | | | Bananas need rich and moist soil during its period of active growth. It should not be allowed to dry completely. The soil should contain generous amounts of humus - preferably rich compost or well-rotted manure. In cooler climates, these plants require a heated greenhouse where the temperature doesn't fall below 60 degrees in the winter and 70 degrees from spring through fall. If they are kept indoors, light shade from direct sunlight should be provided, but plants grown outside for the summer can stand full sun. Specimens that have their containers filled with roots will benefit from weekly applications of dilute liquid fertilizer. They need a humid atmosphere and should be sprayed with a lot of water on clear days. Growing Bananas in containers tends to restrict their growth, making them more suitable for a confined space. In climates where Bananas are planted outside for their ornamental foliage, they should be in sheltered spots where they will be somewhat protected from strong winds, which will most likely shred their huge leaves. This plant is easily propagated using sucker growths found at the base of the old plants. The rooted suckers can be taken off and planted, first in small pots, and after a few months, in tubs, boxes, or open beds where they can grow and fruit. Spring is the best time to plant rooted suckers. If the young plants are kept in a temperature of 65 degrees at night and 10 to 20 degrees warmer during the day, kept well-watered, and given liquid fertilizer every week, they will grow quickly and fruit will be produced by the next summer. The main stem dies after bearing fruit and the suckers grow to replace it. | | Facts: | | | Bananas are tree-like, herbaceous plants that live in warm countries and are suitable for outdoor cultivation in the warmer parts of Florida and other frost-free climates. They may be grown a bit further in the north if fruit production is not desired. They can be grown in hothouses in colder areas, or outside during the summer months for the tropical beauty of their large, paddle-shaped leaves. The "stems" of these plants are made of overlapping leaf sheaths that die after flowering. The Dwarf Banana, or M. cavendishii, has a cluster of leaves that grow from 5 to 6 feet from a trunk-like stem. It produces creamy, fingerlike flowers that are protected by large maroon bracts and are followed by deliciously flavored bananas that are edible without cooking. |
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