How to Fertilize and Care for Banana Plants to get them to Fruit

Pick a location to plant the banana where it will get lots of sun and some wind protection. In temperate climates, zones 8 and farther north, it is important to plant it in full day sun. In very hot, long summer climates bananas will do better with some afternoon shade to keep the leaves from burning. Bunches of fruit will also sun burn if not covered with a cloth if in full sun. High winds will shred the leaves which will not hurt them and they should not be cut off if this happens, but some people don't like the look so a wind sheltered area may be called for. Because they have shallow roots and will be top heavy when fruiting, bananas are also in danger of being blown over in high wind areas.

In temperate climate zones bananas usually take over a year before they will flower and produce a crop. This means you will have two summers of active growth with a cold weather dormant period in between. During the first year when the plant is small, mulch it well to conserve water, acidify the soil, and to help any fertilizer enter the soil more slowly. Any vegetative waste can be used for a mulch, leaves, straw, wood chips, etc. Be sure to add any old banana leaves or pruned off stalks to the mulch. They are high in potassium which is just what the plant needs in abundance. If you use lawn clippings or garden wastes be aware of any chemical treatments that have been applied to the grass or vegetables such as weed killers and insecticides. These can harm the banana and build up in its tissues or fruits. A good thick mulch layer of from 6 to 12 inches will also keep down competitive weeds. Mulch an area extending some 6 to 8 foot out from the stem as banana roots while shallow will spread widely.

Keep your banana well watered. Because of their large leaf size, bananas lose large amounts of water especially in hotter areas. Water deeply any time the top inch of soil feels dry. Don't let the plant stand in soggy soil though. The soil must drain well or the banana may rot from the ground up. If your soil is full of clay and holds on to water, add some coarse sand, perlite, pea gravel, or some bags of cactus potting soil to the top 2 feet of it to improve the drainage. You can also plant the banana up on a mound to increase the drainage. In hot, dry, near desert areas a sprinkler system to provide humidity will help to keep the banana happy and healthy.

In order to produce fruit, you will need to fertilize heavily on a regular schedule any time the banana is actively growing. When growth starts during its first growing season, spread a cup of granular fertilizer in a circle about a foot from the stem. Rake the fertilizer lightly into the soil and don't get any on the plant as it will burn the tender growth. The fertilizer should be high in potassium which is signified by the third number of the three numbers used to identify the fertilizer strength. You want a fertilizer such as 6-2-12 or 8-5-13, where the third number is the highest one. As the banana grows add additional fertilizer every two weeks and increase the number of cups by one for each two feet of new growth. For a 1 foot start use 1 cup, when it reaches 3 ft. increase to 2 cups, 5 ft. use 3 cups and so forth, measuring from the ground to the top of the stalk where the leaves branch out. As the leaves spread out, place the fertilizer in a circle at their drip line in a broad thin layer. The drip line is the area under the leaves where rain would fall off of them. Magnesium is another important trace element that bananas need. A good source of it is plain old Epsom salts which is Magnesium sulphate. Sprinkle about a cup of it around the banana tree every month to keep it strong and happy. If you use a fertilizer that contains magnesium as a trace element look for one having 2 to 3 percent of it.

Use organic fertilizers to both feed your banana and to improve the soil structure. It is nearly impossible to over fertilize a banana plant so feel free to add nearly any and all organic materials to the soil around it. Some good additions include, cotton seed meal, bone meal, composted or well rotted manures, kitchen wastes -except for meats and greases, ashes from burning wood or charcoal, and earthworm castings. Water soluble plant foods while good for feeding bananas as the large leaves will absorb the spray on types quickly and the fine roots will drink in any poured on the ground, will not improve the soil in any way and may contain salts. The one thing bananas cannot tolerate is salt (the type with chloride) so be careful to read the label on any products you use to check for salts.

When colder weather with temperatures that stay below 60 degrees during the day is about a month away, stop fertilizing your banana. It will quit growing as the weather gets colder and depending on where you live, may need to be protected. During the summer there were probably several new shoots that came up around the main stem. You should pick two of these new shoots and allow only them and the main stem to grow. Cut off any others at the ground or separate them to plant out elsewhere or give away. You want to funnel all the plant's energy into only one main stalk next year so the other two shoots are for insurance over the winter that a sizable one will survive.

During the second year, as the weather warms and all danger of freezing is over, uncover any stems that had to be protected. If you didn't have to cover your plant simply watch for it to show signs of new growth. Once those new leaves start to show start fertilizing hard and heavy to jump start the banana. The faster you can get it to grow the better your chances of having fruit by the fall. This is why two smaller shoots were saved last fall. If cold weather killed back the large main stem, you won't have to start over with a totally new shoot but should have one about 4 to 6 ft. tall ready to go. The smaller shoots were easier to protect from the cold. Pick the largest stem and remove all the others. Fertilize it monthly, giving it some 4 pounds of a fertilizer each time scattered under the drip line as before. Keep it heavily mulched and well watered. Don't use a fertilizer with too much nitrogen as this can cause the fruit to turn black. Once the banana starts to flower allow two new shoots to grow out as next year's insurance and replacement. Once a stem has flowered and made fruit it will not fruit again so you will be cutting it down to add to the mulch next winter.