A mid winter storm.

A couple mid winter shots during a windstorm.  The cover tipped over.  I will reset the it after the storm.  My banana tree definitely shows some winter stress, but the fact that it still have some green left on the leaves means it has not completely frozen.  

Added a peak roof to my plant shelter

Well my structure held up well in its rather protected location against the last wind storm we had Oct 25th with 36 MPH with 45 MPH gusts. As expected my flat topped cover started collecting water on top and I got tired of dumping it. So I took a queue from Olafhenny and put a peak on it today using 8 - 1" PVC T's. I got it mostly done when it started raining. I will get back to it and finish the ends in between showers. 

I also now have a 200W Lasko 102 heater on a 35-45 F Farm Innovators Thermo Cube Thermostatically Controlled Outlet ready for when we get freezing weather. I am doing all I can so my SDC is healthy and ready to take off this coming spring.

Planted Caven in the ground

Took my SDC out of the pot and put in the ground. It is now to big for the house and the corm and stalk will have a better chance of not freezing over the wither if it is in the ground rather than in a pot. I also am placing a PVC greenhouse over it. I fully expect the leaves will not survive the freezes but I do hope at least the thicker part of the stalk will survive for a quicker recuperation next spring.

A new hole for Caven to live in.

Ready for a new home in the ground for better protection in the winter.

In its new home. Looking West

In its new home. Looking North.

In its new home looking North. Finally got his feet in the real earth.

In its new home looking South. Finally got his feet in the real earth.

In its new home looking North with its top up but southern exposure  for some sun. Will close during non banana like weather.

In its new home looking South. Will close my "circulation hole" before cold sets in.

My Plant Information:			Super Dwarf Cavendish
Lighting:			4 ft. 6 tube - T-5 6400k High output fluorescent
Light hours:			14 On - 10 Off
Grow More 16-8-24 Fruit Fuel			Premium Fruit Formula for application throughout the growing season. Contains full-spectrum of secondary and micro-nutrients utilized by fruiting plants. Provides plants with a steady dosage of potash for use during present cycle of fruit production or storage for next year's crop. Lower Nitrogen to Potassium ratio to discourage flower and fruit drop. Sufficient Phosphate level for excellent performance without over stimulating the plant to bloom out of season.
Soil:			Standard potting soil - Without water retainers
Container Pot:			21.4 gallon pot 22" avg. width, 13" deep - Setting on a water tank drip pan.
Pest Control:			Safer Insect Killing Soap, Diatomaceous earth
Walk in plant closet:			7' x 4'-6" - With curtain and a ceiling ventilation fan.
My Indoor Temps:			Low 60(Winter) - Average 65-75 - High 80(Summer)
Hardiness Zone:			8b North West Oregon Southern Willamette Valley, USA
Cavendish from Pup to Tree:			The growth of my Super Dwarf Cavendish from Pup to Tree in one quick post. If you only want a quick summation of his growth in just one quick blog post, here it is.
Paul's Banana Plantation Photo Album:			My rather large photo album of Cavendish for those with some time on there hands.

How Cavendish is measuring up

   I have not done any measurements of my original banana tree in some time so I thought I would do so.

Circumference: 16" (at widest part of base)
Height: 27" to top of of a psudostem. (bottom of current leaf roll)
Largest leaf: 22.5" (the latest one) Largest leaf was about 24" once.
Number of leafs: 13 (not it including the current emerging leafroll, Leafs come and go but the leaf count usually remains at around 13)

   Next month I plan to plant Caven in the ground as he is now to big for the house.  I will put a clear plastic mini green house around him for the winter and hope for a milder winter than last year.  Hopefully I only lose the leafs and most of the psudostem will survive.  It all depends on how many consecutive cold freezing days we get that determine how deep the plant gets frozen. The photos below show his growth progress and where he will be planted.

Uprooted some bannas and they went to pot

OK, admit it, my title is click bait. Actually some friends brought over a couple pots and some soil and ask me to pot a couple pups for another friend of ours.  They have been established away from mom in the ground for some time now so they should re-establish quite well in there new mobile home.

   Here they are in the ground and then after I have them in there new pots ready for their new home.

Thetwo pups are left and right of the tree and bush

Established after he was removed from mom

Established after he was removed from mom

All potted up and ready for there new home

   I am also collecting 2x4's to make into 2x2's for a 2x2 green house I am building as I am able and old 2x4 become available.  I have used a number of old 2x2's, 2x4's, and 2x6's that are around the property because they each only need to be 5' ft long.  I hope to find several more so I do not have to buy them for this purely pet project.

Caven enjoying our recent 80-95+ degree weather

Here is a couple shots I took today, I am pleased with its growth but, it is now blooming time to let up on making more pups. I have removed three more of them since I put him outside that have gotten over a foot tall. Oh, well I will just appreciate the bloom all the more when it happens.  I am going to have to make a hoop green house to protect it during the winter as it is just to big for our house. Don't get me wrong I am enjoying all its growth.

It time to separate a couple Pups from Caven.

I removed 2 pups and replanted them. 

The pups are each approaching a foot tall and making Caven look more like a bush that a tree.

Planted number 1 of 2 pups and covered with a shade cloth while it is a new planting.  It has been conditioned to outside for a couple weeks so should really be fine but it has been extra hot out.  Is this what an overprotective father feels like?

Picture of plant 2/2 on the left and 1/2 on the right.  Covered 2/2 with a shade cloth.  Will get out to do the other after this food, water and picture posting break.

Caven with 2 pups removed.  He now looks more like a tree that a bush. This last larger pup is not quit ready to remove.  I will wait til he also is approaching a foot tall like the others. 

Up to this point his/her/its.... Cavens leaf's have been layering on top of each other but look like they are starting to fan out in a circular path some again.

Moved Caven outside

Moved Caven outside yesterday, gave him a good watering and fertilized him with Fruit Fuel.  I started this plant from a 4" pot pup in July 22 of last year as a gift from my wife so he is now 11 months old.

Moved under the tree as the bright sun on the tender indoor leaves started to burn as can be expected. The newer leaves will be more outdoor tolerant.

June 2, 2014

I took a couple shots of Cavendish to record his growth as of  June 2014.  

June 2, 2014 - Here he is shown with moisturized leaves and freshly fed Fruit Fuel.

May 2, 2014 Video

My Plant Information:			Super Dwarf Cavendish
Lighting:			4 ft. 6 tube - T-5 6400k High output fluorescent
Light hours:			14 On - 10 Off
Grow More 16-8-24 Fruit Fuel			Premium Fruit Formula for application throughout the growing season. Contains full-spectrum of secondary and micronutrients utilized by fruiting plants. Provides plants with a steady dosage of potash for use during present cycle of fruit production or storage for next year's crop. Lower Nitrogen to Potassium ratio to discourage flower and fruit drop. Sufficient Phosphate level for excellent performance without over stimulating the plant to bloom out of season.
Soil:			Standard potting soil - Without water retainers
Container Pot:			21.4 gallon pot 22" avg. width, 13" deep - Setting on a water tank drip pan.
Pest Control:			Safer Insect Killing Soap, Diatomaceous earth
Walk in plant closet:			7' x 4'-6" - With curtain and a ceiling ventilation fan.
My Indoor Temps:			Low 60(Winter) - Average 65-75 - High 80(Summer)
Hardiness Zone:			8b Northwest Oregon Southern Willamette Valley, USA
Cavendish from Pup to Tree:			The growth of my Super Dwarf Cavendish from Pup to Tree in one quick post. If you only want a quick summation of his growth in just one quick blog post, here it is.
Paul's Banana Plantation Photo Album:			My rather large photo album of Cavendish for those with some time on there hands.

My Plant Information:

Super Dwarf Cavendish

Lighting:

4 ft. 6 tube - T-5 6400k High output fluorescent

Light hours:

14 On - 10 Off

Grow More 16-8-24 Fruit Fuel

Premium Fruit Formula for application throughout the growing season. Contains full-spectrum of secondary and micronutrients utilized by fruiting plants. Provides plants with a steady dosage of potash for use during present cycle of fruit production or storage for next year's crop. Lower Nitrogen to Potassium ratio to discourage flower and fruit drop. Sufficient Phosphate level for excellent performance without over stimulating the plant to bloom out of season.

Soil:

Standard potting soil - Without water retainers

Container Pot:

21.4 gallon pot 22" avg. width, 13" deep - Setting on a water tank drip pan.

Pest Control:

Safer Insect Killing Soap, Diatomaceous earth

Walk in plant closet:

7' x 4'-6" - With curtain and a ceiling ventilation fan.

My Indoor Temps:

Low 60(Winter) - Average 65-75 - High 80(Summer)

Hardiness Zone:

8b Northwest Oregon Southern Willamette Valley, USA

Cavendish from Pup to Tree:

The growth of my Super Dwarf Cavendish from Pup to Tree in one quick post. If you only want a quick summation of his growth in just one quick blog post, here it is.

Paul's Banana Plantation Photo Album:

My rather large photo album of Cavendish for those with some time on there hands.

My Two Beauty's

My two beauty's posing for a picture

   My Wife Kathy is posing for a shot with Cavendish, they are both at about the same hight here. Kathy is 4' 10.5"

   The growth of Cavendish from Pup to Tree all in one quick post.  If you only want a quick summation of his growth in one quick blog post, here it is.

My Plant Information:			Super Dwarf Cavendish
Lighting:			4 ft. 6 tube - T-5 6400k High output fluorescent
Light hours:			14 On - 10 Off
Grow More 16-8-24 Fruit Fuel			Premium Fruit Formula for application throughout the growing season. Contains full-spectrum of secondary and micronutrients utilized by fruiting plants. Provides plants with a steady dosage of potash for use during present cycle of fruit production or storage for next year's crop. Lower Nitrogen to Potassium ratio to discourage flower and fruit drop. Sufficient Phosphate level for excellent performance without overstimulating the plant to bloom out of season.
Soil:			Standard potting soil - Without water retainers
Container Pot:			21.4 gallon pot 22" avg. width, 13" deep
Pest Control:			Safer Insect Killing Soap, Diatomaceous earth
Walk in plant closet:			7' x 4'-6" - With curtain and a ceiling ventilation fan.
My Indoor Temps:			Low 60(Winter) - Average 65-75 - High 80(Summer)
Hardiness Zone:			8b Northwest Oregon Southern Willamette Valley, USA
My Cavendish from Pup to Tree:			The growth of my Super Dwarf Cavendish from Pup to Tree in one quick post.  If you only want a quick summation of his growth in just one quick blog post, here it is.
Paul's Banana Plantation Photo Album:			My rather large photo album of Cavendish for those with some time on there hands.

A few shots of Cavendish's growth

   After the Timelapse video posts I could not resist a few shot of Cavendish's growth while the camera was tied up.

Cavendish and her pups

The next leaf cone and new leaf (from Timelapse take two)

The newest 24"(so far it is not all the way emerged yet) x 13' leaf

I have not tired of how cool it looks when you look inside a new leaf cone

I have not tired of how cool it looks when you look inside a new leaf cone

My Plant Information:	Super Dwarf Cavendish
Lighting:	4 ft. 6 tube - T-5 6400k High output fluorescent
Light hours:	14 On - 10 Off
Grow More 16-8-24 Fruit Fuel	Premium Fruit Formula for application throughout the growing season. Contains full-spectrum of secondary and micronutrients utilized by fruiting plants. Provides plants with a steady dosage of potash for use during present cycle of fruit production or storage for next year's crop. Lower Nitrogen to Potassium ratio to discourage flower and fruit drop. Sufficient Phosphate level for excellent performance without overstimulating the plant to bloom out of season.
Soil:	Standard potting soil - Without water retainers
Container Pot:	Smaller 16.32 gallons - 11" deep by 18" width swapped for a new 21.4 gallon pot 22" avg. width, 13" deep
Pest Control:	Safer Insect Killing Soap, Diatomaceous earth
Walk in plant closet:	7' x 4'-6" - With curtain and a ceiling ventilation fan.
My Indoor Temps:	Low 60(Winter) - Average 65-75 - High 80(Summer)