How To Care For Your Banana Tree
Posted by Unknown in Banana on Tuesday 14 May 2013
Bananas are
one of the fastest growing perennial plants that grow from rhizomes. The
trunks of the banana are actually fleshy sheaths that are formed by
leaf sheaths arranged in concentric layers.
The stem of the
banana tree grows from a corn that is planted underground. The stem
grows out through the center of the stalk and takes about 12-15 months
to grow mature. Each stalk is capable of producing just one huge flower
after which it withers off. New stalks then sprout from the rhizome.
Banana plants are immensely attractive and create a tropical atmosphere
to the entire surroundings.
When to plant?
Bananas require
heat and a sunny location to be able to grow and produce healthy
fruits. So summer is the best time for planting them. Ensure that they
are planted in areas where there is abundant sunlight all throughout the
day, failing which they would stop growing. If you plant a banana plant
in the winter months, plant them where there is enough sun and also
reduce the watering to prevent root rot as the winter months will have
more moisture trapped in the soil.
Where to plant?
Planting
bananas in rocky organic soil which are well draining and areas with
lava sand is the best way to plant them. Avoid planting bananas in areas
where the soil is always wet or in standing water to prevent root rot.
Cactus mix soil gives the best results as it naturally contains lava
sand, lava soil and other nutritional items that help in the overall
growth. The soil in which you plant the banana tree must not be too wet
which can initiate root rot. If the soil retains more water during the
winter months, reduce the watering frequency. During summer months, make
sure that you give them enough water to prevent them from drying.
How to plant?
First find a
good container on which you can plant the banana tree. Choose the right
location where there is ample sunlight and sand. Now make a hole that is
two times as wide as the container. The depth must be 1½ times more
than the depth of the container. Fill the hole with 4 inches of manure
and the rest of the height can be covered with soil until you reach a
height where the banana tree can be planted comfortably. Now the bottom
of the container has to be broken off and the container must be kept
inside the hole in such a way that the edge of the container is around 2
inches above the soil. Cut off the edges and two-thirds part of the
hole with soil mix and one-third part with native soil. Water the plant
well and form a berm around the plant with the remaining part of the
soil.
How to water?
Watering of the
banana plant must be done carefully as too little and too much water
can spoil the plant and lead to root rot and drying. During summer
months, you can water the plants in a slow and deep manner every 2 to 3
days. Watering must be done when the top part of the soil is dry. During
winter, watering should be less frequent as the sand tends to retain
more water. Similarly, during the summer months, it is also important to
water frequently as the soil can dry fast due to the hot sun.
Fertilizers required
Being heavy
feeders, fertilizing banana plants regularly during the growing season
will help in getting healthy bananas. A balanced fertilizer which
contains all micro-nutrients can be applied whenever you water the
plants. Fertilizers can also be applied once every month. Organic
fertilizers are good and during the flowering season, care must be taken
to avoid nitrogen as it can blacken the bananas.
Common diseases
Panama disease
is the most common disease affecting plants, especially bananas. The
symptoms start at the feeder roots and go on to affect the rhizome and
they are where the stele joins the cortex. Brown flecks start appearing
on the older leaves and finally the xylem turns brick red, spoiling the
entire plant. Moko disease, banana bunchy top, toppling disease, black
leaf streak, etc. are other diseases that affect younger plants with
similar symptoms.
Weeds and pests
All weeds that
are growing in the site must be removed before the banana plant is
planted. Common pests affecting banana plant are banana aphid, corm
weevil, mealy bugs, etc.
Things to watch out for
If your banana
plant is exposed to too much sun during the fruiting season, make sure
that you cover the fruit adequately with a light weight material or
provide shade to the fruit to prevent sunburn.
