banana are typically one of the things most multitude name when asked to identify a tropic fruit . The lush farewell and yellow or ruddy fruit can really be grown in a fairly wide range of climate , with some diverseness reportedly hardy to USDA Zone 4 . Their plant life care requirements are surprisingly canonic for an “ alien . ”
What Are Bananas?
The banana is a appendage of the same family – Zingiberales – as pep and the bird of paradise efflorescence . Named for an ancient Roman doc , Antonia Musa , this perennial bush turn from clandestine rhizomes . In the right condition , a banana plant bears a single flower stalk that flush , yield and dies . In non - tropical stage setting , some plants flower but may not actually set any fruit .
How Do Bananas Grow?
The banana plant grow from a rhizomatous mass , interchangeable to that of an sword lily . Fleshy stalks known as pseudostems form upright homocentric layers of leafage sheaths . These take care like tree trunk , earning the name banana tree , but the true stem come from an underground corm and grow in the center of the plant . This stem appears over a year after planting and bears the bloom and fruit .
What Varieties Can I Choose?
Unless you live in the Torrid Zone , bananas are more probable to be an ornamental flora in your garden or greenhouse . These are available :
Can I Grow Bananas to Eat?
The result to this interrogation is a certified “ peradventure . ” Some edible bananas can be grown in warmer regions of Florida , Texasand California , or desert states like Arizona . Plantains , served cook , grow in the southerly US . Most of these areas are USDA zones 9 to 11 . commercial-grade variety show like the Cavendish – the uncouth grocery store banana – produce in the tropic only .
What Soil Do I Use for Bananas?
banana need a rich but well - drain soil . ground similar to that in Hawaii – with some small tilt and lava gumption – promotes the first-class drainage these plants need . Well - waste manure , leaf mold or organic compost append humous and the important food . Commercial cactus mix plus humus or compost is a good choice , or contribute 2/3 of this mix to 1/3 native soil .
How Do I Water Bananas?
A banana likes wad of H2O and will not support drouth . However , pie-eyed filth increases the risk of base rot . In summer , a banana plant – particularly if outside or in a container – may need pee at least every other day . In winter , when plants are semi - dormant , you may only need to irrigate once a week or less . Check the soil day by day – it should be evenly moist .
How Do I Protect Bananas Grown Outside?
Some ornamental banana tree varieties cangrowin stale area – USDA Zones 4 and above – although the leaves will typically burn up with even a slight frost . The top of the plant may appear dead , but when the atmospheric condition warms , they will uprise fresh parting . Plant in sheltered location , mulch heavily and cover with blankets or other frost protection at Nox .
How Do I Fertilize Bananas?
The banana is a heavy self-feeder and welfare from regular app program of fertilizer . Using a dilute software of liquid constituent fertilizer every time you pee is the first option . you could also enforce a minuscule amount of balanced organic fertilizers in powdered or gritty form once a month . Decrease nitrogen once flowers appear or the fruit may turn black .
What Kind of Sun Does a Banana Plant Need?
banana tree prefer the kind of promising collateral light found in the forest understory . However , they are susceptible to sunburn . Hot good afternoon sunlight may scorch leaves . If you subsist in a raging area , give your banana tree full Dominicus in the morning with some partial shade in the afternoon . Do n’t essay to grow them in louche areas – they will be more susceptible to disease and will not blossom well .
Can I Grow Bananas in Containers?
banana can make goodcontainerplants if the pot is large enough . For a standard size banana , you ’ll demand a lower limit of a 15 - gallon pot . In the wild , bananas grow in small chemical group , which aid protect them from confidential information and heavy rains . Ideally , maturate at least three in a radical . small decorative Musa plants may only grow 24 inches tall and can be grown in smaller pots .
