Topic: GMG Green Thumb Club

[Szykneij]

"Phoenix" here  https://www.gardeningexpress.co.uk/pre-order-xxl-giant-phoenix-canariensis-canary-island-date-palm-large-6-7ft-patio-palm-trees-170-200cms?fee=6&fep=18147&gclid=Cj0KCQjw0emHBhC1ARIsAL1QG

Like you, I like a challenge. Stripped a border and filled with banana plants and cannas. I plan to bubble wrap the banana stems - I successfully did the same with a tree fern for the last two years. Also, have arranged a builders bag of forest bark for delivery in the Autumn which I will liberally spread through the bed. There is a risk, but if they burst into life come next Spring I will be chuffed and relieved.

Awesome looking tree! Unfortunately, it's rated U.S. Hardiness Zones 9-11 and I'm in zone 6, so it likely won't survive our winters and I don't have enough room to bring any more plants inside. Good luck with your bananas and cannas!

[Pohjolas Daughter]

"Phoenix" here  https://www.gardeningexpress.co.uk/pre-order-xxl-giant-phoenix-canariensis-canary-island-date-palm-large-6-7ft-patio-palm-trees-170-200cms?fee=6&fep=18147&gclid=Cj0KCQjw0emHBhC1ARIsAL1QG

Like you, I like a challenge. Stripped a border and filled with banana plants and cannas. I plan to bubble wrap the banana stems - I successfully did the same with a tree fern for the last two years. Also, have arranged a builders bag of forest bark for delivery in the Autumn which I will liberally spread through the bed. There is a risk, but if they burst into life come next Spring I will be chuffed and relieved.

So do you think that you can get some healthy bananas where you live?

[Mandryka]

"Phoenix" here  https://www.gardeningexpress.co.uk/pre-order-xxl-giant-phoenix-canariensis-canary-island-date-palm-large-6-7ft-patio-palm-trees-170-200cms?fee=6&fep=18147&gclid=Cj0KCQjw0emHBhC1ARIsAL1QG

Like you, I like a challenge. Stripped a border and filled with banana plants and cannas. I plan to bubble wrap the banana stems - I successfully did the same with a tree fern for the last two years. Also, have arranged a builders bag of forest bark for delivery in the Autumn which I will liberally spread through the bed. There is a risk, but if they burst into life come next Spring I will be chuffed and relieved.

The problem I had with cannas is that they flowered for me very late, September. The older they were, the more reluctant they were to flower. In the end I bought fresh once’s every year, ones which were already in flower in the nursery, effectively treating them as bedding. Now I don’t bother, largely because I’m not keen on the monocot foliage.

[Irons]

So do you think that you can get some healthy bananas where you live?

Absolutely no chance. Purely decorative, a blousy statement. The one on the right started life last summer in a pot. The other I planted this Spring.

 

The problem I had with cannas is that they flowered for me very late, September. The older they were, the more reluctant they were to flower. In the end I bought fresh once’s every year, ones which were already in flower in the nursery, effectively treating them as bedding. Now I don’t bother, largely because I’m not keen on the monocot foliage.

Interesting, we have three green and one red, all planted this year. Not too worried about late flowering as looking more for the architectural statement of canna. I have noticed something is having a nibble at them.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Absolutely no chance. Purely decorative, a blousy statement. The one on the right started life last summer in a pot. The other I planted this Spring.

 

Interesting, we have three green and one red, all planted this year. Not too worried about late flowering as looking more for the architectural statement of canna. I have noticed something is having a nibble at them.

Drat!  Well, they are cool looking in any event.    And I like the trellis that you made for your lovely clematis too!

PD

[Szykneij]

Great looking plants!

I've had this banana plant for many years. I take it inside every winter and it survives, but doesn't do very well. When I move it to the back deck for the summer, it usually thrives. This year, it's off to a slow recovery.


Edit: Maybe because it's on it's side     

[Irons]

Great looking plants!

I've had this banana plant for many years. I take it inside every winter and it survives, but doesn't do very well. When I move it to the back deck for the summer, it usually thrives. This year, it's off to a slow recovery.


Edit: Maybe because it's on it's side     

I think your winters maybe colder. Mine are not in pots though I believe you can dig them up for winter months although I do not intend to do this. There are some YT clips giving advice on measures for protection. Apparently water logging is the biggest killer in winter months.
Your specimen looks a different variety and possibly more tender. Mine are Musa Basjoo. 

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Great looking plants!

I've had this banana plant for many years. I take it inside every winter and it survives, but doesn't do very well. When I move it to the back deck for the summer, it usually thrives. This year, it's off to a slow recovery.


Edit: Maybe because it's on it's side     

I think your winters maybe colder. Mine are not in pots though I believe you can dig them up for winter months although I do not intend to do this. There are some YT clips giving advice on measures for protection. Apparently water logging is the biggest killer in winter months.
Your specimen looks a different variety and possibly more tender. Mine are Musa Basjoo. 

Tony and Irons,

I did easily find this article which has some helpful advice:  http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=d442

Oh!  I realized that my paste-type tomato plant (one of those that's in the pot) has blossom end rot (vs. knocking on wood while I type this) vs. a blight.  Trying to think of an 'instant' type calcium food.  Next try day, I'll also add some more compost and Tomato tone.  Between being in a pot and all of the rain that we've been getting, it's washing the nutrients out of the pot!  Any suggestions?

PD

[Szykneij]

Tony and Irons,

I did easily find this article which has some helpful advice:  http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=d442

Oh!  I realized that my paste-type tomato plant (one of those that's in the pot) has blossom end rot (vs. knocking on wood while I type this) vs. a blight.  Trying to think of an 'instant' type calcium food.  Next try day, I'll also add some more compost and Tomato tone.  Between being in a pot and all of the rain that we've been getting, it's washing the nutrients out of the pot!  Any suggestions?

PD

Thanks for that info, PD, on Musa basjoo (Japanese Banana). It looks like it would do well where I am, but I'm a little concerned it would join forces with my Japanes knotweed and form some kind of alliance. 

When I pot my tomatoes in the spring, I usually use about half of the previous year's potting soil and amend it with new soil, manure, and plant food. That's usually sufficient for the year. I worried after my flood of a few weeks back, so I fed all the plants again and they seem to be doing fine. As a matter of fact, the grass is as lush and thick as ever and the mower had to work hard when I cut it yesterday. There is a product called Tomato Rot-Stop that you spay on the fruit that's supposed to be fast-acting. I've never tried it, but it could be worth a shot.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Thanks for that info, PD, on Musa basjoo (Japanese Banana). It looks like it would do well where I am, but I'm a little concerned it would join forces with my Japanes knotweed and form some kind of alliance. 

When I pot my tomatoes in the spring, I usually use about half of the previous year's potting soil and amend it with new soil, manure, and plant food. That's usually sufficient for the year. I worried after my flood of a few weeks back, so I fed all the plants again and they seem to be doing fine. As a matter of fact, the grass is as lush and thick as ever and the mower had to work hard when I cut it yesterday. There is a product called Tomato Rot-Stop that you spay on the fruit that's supposed to be fast-acting. I've never tried it, but it could be worth a shot.

Thanks for this suggestion.  I like Bonide products and will try to get ahold of some as we're already well into tomato season here.  So far, knock on wood, I've only seen that one tomato with it.

PD