How to Grow Bananas in a Greenhouse
Bananas are the second-most popular fruit available. Banana trees are readily available from plant catalogs and come in dwarf (under 5 feet tall) and standard sizes. Just like tomatoes, store-bought bananas can't compare in taste to homegrown bananas. Bananas are high-maintenance plants in the greenhouse. They require acid soils, specific amounts of water (too much will kill the rhizome), monthly fertilization, warm temperatures and full sun. If all their needs are met, bananas will produce fruit in 9 months to 2 years depending on the variety. Both dwarf and standard bananas grow readily in containers.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Easy
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Banana rhizomes or Banana plant
- Compost
- Sand
- Perlite
- Container
- Broken clay pieces, gravel or stones
- Sharp knife or pruning shears
- Kelp meal or green sand
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Growing Bananas in a Greenhouse
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1
Mix an equal amount of compost, sand and perlite together. You want a fast-draining soil that will hold moisture.
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2
Test the pH of the compost/sand/perlite mix, it should be between 5.5 and 6.5. You can make it more acid by adding sulfate (calcium, iron or aluminum) or by mixing in a fertilizer designed for acid-loving plants (like hydrangeas). If the mix is too acid, add dolomitic limestone.
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3
If you are planting the rhizomes or plants directly into the ground, dig a hole wide enough to accommodate the rhizome, leaving a 3-inch space between the rhizome and the sides of the hole that is 10 to 12 inches deep. Fill the bottom with the compost/sand/perlite mixture until the rhizome's "eye" (the part the plant will grow out of) is level with the top of the hole. Place the rhizome in the hole. Use the compost/sand/perlite mixture to cover the rhizome and tamp firmly around the rhizome to eliminate air pockets. Space standard bananas 10 feet apart. Dwarf bananas can be spaced 2 to 3 feet apart depending on variety; just make sure the adult plants will not shade each other.
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4
If you are planting bananas in containers, choose a container that will be twice as wide as the adult plant's height and 1/2 as deep as the adult height (this will keep the banana plant from toppling over). Fill the bottom 1/3 with broken pieces of clay pots and large pieces of gravel or stones, Fill the rest of the way with the compost/sand/perlite mix. Plant the rhizome as you would in the ground.
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5
If you are planting banana plants, dig a hole twice as deep and wide as the root ball. Fill with the compost/sand/perlite mix. Plant the banana plant at the same level it was growing in its pot. For containers, choose and prepare a container as you would for a rhizome.
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6
Keep the rhizome moist but not soggy.
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7
Keep the temperature in the greenhouse between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
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8
Make sure the bananas get full sun. In winter, adjust the lighting in your greenhouse so your banana plant will receive 10 to 12 hours of light.
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9
Your banana rhizome will produce multiple shoots around the original plant. Trim all but one sucker (the leader) down to the ground. The shoot that you leave will produce bananas the next year.
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10
Once you have harvested your bananas, cut the mother plant down to the ground. The leader will now become the mother plant. The banana plant will produce more sprouts, so, once again, cut all but one down to the ground. The new shoot will be your new leader.
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11
Fertilize your banana plant monthly with kelp meal, green sand or another fertilizer with a high mineral content. Replenish the compost around your plant every other month and test the pH at this time.
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1
Tips & Warnings
To help keep your greenhouse warm, fill a black barrel halfway with water. The water will absorb heat during the day and release it at night. For small greenhouses, give each banana plant its own grow light; this will allow you to reduce the space between plants.
Banana rhizomes sitting in water will die in less than an hour. Bananas will stop growing in temperatures below 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
