Leafroll 12 of 15 a sizable leaf.

10-06-2014 ~ Significant width and height growth, Lost a baby leaf, Gnats are back despite only occasional bottom watering other than 9/22 when I fed Caven. Leaf roll  12 of 15  well on its way up to be next leaf.  ~   Plant Height  9.5 -- Circumference  7.25

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Update: 10-08-2014  ~ Leaf  12 of  15  is 9.25" Wide -- 16.25" long - Plant Height  10 -- Circumference  7.5  -  Caven has become a sizable plant and he has much further to grow.  He is doing QUITE well in the house under his light.  I dusted the topsoil to help control the Gnats.

 With leaf 12 of 15 Caven has become a sizable plant.

Leaf 12 of 15 is 9.25" Wide -- 16.25" long

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Spreadsheet Records Logbook Growth Details with Links and Banana Plant Terms

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At war with the soil Gnats using DE

Listen to this post as an Audio Blog

~ The soil is a bit sour.  I have been dealing with some soil gnats by regularly using 'Safe Soap' the last couple of days and it seems to work for a while and then they are back. I am letting the soil dry out as much as I dare between waterings. Since bringing Caven into the house he does not need nearly as much water so this helps.

~ I am going to try some of the solutions found here. First, since I have some and I see how it could work, I am trying an 3/16"-1/4 inches worth of food grade Diatomaceous Earth on the top soil.  

 ~ I also set a lid of vinegar on the pot soil. This seems to be getting a few adults that fly into it but I am not overly impressed.

 ~ I can see how the 'DE' should work. For one thing it will soak up some moisture from the topsoil. But the DE does need to be mostly dry as this is when it is dangerous to insects. It drys and irritates their skin like glass shards. They can NOT crawl up through the dry DE. When wet, DE is not as effective, although I do not see them crawling through the layer to any eggs in it even when wet. :)

~ CAUTION: Use only food grade DE. Use a mask when applying. Let soil dry some before applying.   Turn all room fans off while applying  Apply slowly with a sifter or perforated spoon. Use a mask. While not dangerous if ingested wet, it IS dangerous to breath. It is like glass shards to the lungs(and Gnats) when dry. Wet DE is no longer as effective. When DE dries it is again most effective. Don't let all the cautions overly scare you. After all the cautions are dealt with, remember it is chemical free, natural, cheap, and effective against insects.

~ Side Note: We have used DE cautiously and successfully against a major flea infestation one year. It worked great but you have to work hard to clean the carpets later. And it left the whole room with an earthy smell for some time.  

For the reasons given above I see this remedy being very successful.... I will update my progress.

UPDATE: Sept 16,2013 ~ I have won the war with the soil Gnats using the DE.

Spreadsheet Records Logbook Growth Details with Links and Banana Plant Terms

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Finally transplanted to 20 Gallon pot

~  Well I finally transplanted Caven from the white 7" pot to the 20 Gallon pot I had previously set up for him. We will be gone this weekend and my hope is that Caven will keep more moisture in the larger pot as I have been needing to water him at least once daily this summer.

  ~  I also fed Caven again.  In this larger pot I gave him 2 TBSPs of each of the two types of the same plant food I have used previously.

  ~  Caven's corm stalk is now is now 6" around in diameter at soil level and 8' tall to the bottom of the 11th leaf.

  ~  I also found some soil gnats on Caven's soil so I sprayed them with "Safe Soap"

 

4" crib pot, 7" child pot, And adult pot where he can raise his pups.

 ~ This picture shows Caven's 3 beds so to speak. His baby 4" black crib, His child size 7" white 'twin' bed and now his adult 20 gallon queen size bed that is big enough for him to raise several pups in as Caven eventually grows to his 4'-5' foot adult height.

All three of Caven's pots are here for comparison 4" crib, 7" 'twin' bed, and 20 Gallon adult bed.

Cavens 11th leaf roll is beginning to unfurl

This angle shows Cavens second baby leaf that he will soon loose. Don't worry he will soon have a new adult leaf to replace it.

I found this guy in Caven's big pot (that already had some dirt in it) so had to move him to Kathy's nearby plants. When Caven was transplanted I gave put him to back in the pot. Bug chow time.

Headed to look for supper

Notice this Walking sticks next meal hanging about?

Cavendish with his new buddy

Spreadsheet Records Logbook with Links and Banana Plant Terms

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