The 'Cavendish' variety is probably the banana variety best adapted to Georgia. The rhizomes may be dug up and divided for propagation of additional plants. Unneeded suckers can be used to establish new plantings. After six months, allow a replacement sucker to grow, because the main trunk is removed after fruiting. In the beginning, let only one main stalk develop from each rhizome (underground bud). Scatter the fertilizer evenly in a large circle under the plants. From late spring through summer, fertilize monthly with about 1 lb of 10-10-10 per mature plant cluster and 2 to 4 oz of 10-10-10 per young plant. If the soil is extremely wet, root rot may develop. Water regularly and deeply during the summer if rainfall is poor. Mulching is very beneficial because it conserves moisture, retards weeds, and protects the rhizomes from winter freezing. Adjust soil pH to 5.5 to 6.5 before planting. In the spring, after danger of freezing weather is past, remove the soil and stand the plant up and tie it to a fence post set near the base.īananas require plenty of water and fertilizer for good fruit production. Then lay the plant on the ground and cover both the rhizome and stalk with about 1 ft of soil. A third method of overwintering the plant is to remove most of the soil under the large rhizome but leave some roots attached on one side. Others build an insulating cage around the trunk using chicken wire and pine straw, enabling the plant to survive outdoors during the winter. Some people grow bananas by potting the plants in tubs each fall and carrying them through the winter in a basement. When winters are cold (below 25 ☏), the tops are usually killed, so no fruit is produced. When winters are mild in south Georgia or when the plants are protected in north Georgia, the stalk may survive the winter and produce fruit in the second year. The fruit takes four to eight months to mature, depending on the temperature during the growing season. They usually require 12 to 18 months to produce a flower stalk. They may be grown with limited success outdoors in south Georgia. Bananas (Musa spp.) are attractive landscape plants popular with many gardeners in Georgia.
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