Bananas ( Musa spp . ) are undeniablytropical plant . They have a zero - margin policy for frost , and they will go back whenever the temperature dips below freezing . Their sensitivity , along with their prospicient fruiting bicycle , do them a challenge to grow in the southeastern U.S. , but with the correct choice of cultivar and the proper care , you’re able to successfully spring up banana tree in U.S. Department of Agriculture flora hardiness geographical zone 8 , the geographical zone that reach up South Carolina ’s Lowcountry .
Short-Cycle and Cold-Tolerant Varieties
Step 1
Because most banana tree varieties require between three and four month from the meter the fruit shank first emerges until the yield strive maturity , it ’s most impossible to get a crop from them in a mood like South Carolina ’s . Some varieties , such as " Viente Cohol , " are considered inadequate - cycle varieties , and they can give rise a crop in a fraction of the clip required by standard mixed bag . The yield is quick to clean in as little as four week after it first emerge . Other variety , such as " Orinoco , " can tolerate cold temperatures , allowing them to have an adequately long time of year in cooler climates .
Protecting Plants
disregardless of the smorgasbord , bananas will necessitate protection from the element if you want them to make it through a South Carolina wintertime . banana tree plants can usually defy temperature as downhearted as 28 degree Fahrenheit for scant periods , but anything colder will cause the plant life to become flat back to the land . temperature below 22 F will in all probability stamp out the integral industrial plant , let in the underground rootstalk . To protect your banana plants from the cold , wrap the bole or cover the integral flora with a blanket . An alternative is to surround the industrial plant with a conducting wire cage , fill the cage with dry leaves , and roll the whole thing with a tarp .
Pruning
The banana tree ’s rhizome will create multiple shoots , called sucker , but only one shoot should be allowed to grow to maturity so the plant can devote all its resourcefulness to produce fruit on that lollipop . cut off all other suckers as they issue . After you glean the yield , cut the shank back to about 30 inches above the ground . cut back the stem all the way to the ground will prompt the industrial plant to send out up more all-day sucker , which can weaken the plant .
Pests and Care
banana demand lots of sunshine and water supply , and they do best if they are given ample fertilizer . A balanced 8 - 10 - 8 fertilizer applied once a month work out well . employ 1/2 Cypriot pound for a small plant , working up to 2 pounds for a fledged plant in each monthly software . Spread the fertiliser around the plant and then water it in well . Bananas are not peculiarly vulnerable to pests that can do significant damage to the plant , especially in temperate climate like South Carolina .
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