Hm, depends on which type they are. If they're the ones that get to be the size of a Volkswagen, then yes, they shouldn't be so close to the banana.

If they're a smaller type, then it looks like they'll be far enough away for the nanner to get established. Then it will crowd them out eventually.

Word of advice on the 'big picture' if I may? Choose types of plants that don't get quite so big! Look at tags before you buy, and check how big it will be - most tags say "mature size 24in. to 30in". Bigger than that, leave it until you have a bigger garden. Believe me, you can attain the lush tropical look even with smaller plants if they are growing well. Trying to crowd bigger plants in will just keep frustrating you.

The two crinums are the asiaticum or Grand crinums, they get pretty big unfortunately. I'm afraid to move them now since both plants are waking up. I just assumed they would stay smaller in my climate. I guess I should have thought about that before I planted the banana, darn it LOL. I don't have room in my other flowerbeds for the two crinums either I'm going to have the same issue as last year and it could have been avoided.

I think you're ok for this year, but I'd definitely see if you can find a place for at least the one closest to the banana next winter.

Thanks so much for your expertise Elaine. I think I can find a spot next year for one of the crinums. I'll just have to make note of moving it this upcoming Winter.

This bunch of bananas has been on the stalk since November I think, due to cooler weather it was very slow in maturing. When it got hot a few weeks ago it sped up and now I'm searching for things to make with bananas again.

You're so lucky Jonna. I wish I lived in a warmer climate. I've seen people put cages filled with leaves to protect the banana stalks but its too much trouble for me lol.

I bought a lb of potassium sulfate today for my banana plant. Can someone tell me how much I should use and when should I start fertilizing the banana plant. Its a young plant, about 2ft tall right now. The package didn't come with instructions so I don't know how much to use.

Best thing about having so many bananas Jonna is that even if they get over ripe they are brilliant fried. Double yum.

I'd like to try fired bananas.

Yes, they are good fried although I prefer the large 'macho' type when they are green for frying. More of a starch and less a dessert. I've filled the freezer again and I have made a couple batches of banana bread to give away. There is another bunch coming but it looks very small and scraggly, I think the timing has a lot to do with how they develop. This last bunch was on the stalk for months through what passes for winter here, not as warm at night and lower humidity. It just got larger and fuller from all that time on the stalk. This new bunch was formed in the winter and it shows the less than optimal conditions. The bloom was smaller, there are less fruit in the bunch and they are smaller even at this early stage than the other one was. It's interesting.

I'm thinking of getting a pup of the small, sweet red bananas. They are called manzanas here or apples. The plant gets much taller with narrower leaves than the ones I have, it's a much less attractive plant. However, I think I can hide it in the middle of my broad leafed and I know I like the fruit better.

The sweet red bananas sounds interesting. I think I saw something similar sold in the produce section of Kroger a couple of months ago. They were a red/brown color.

That's the correct color, they are +/- 4 to 5 inches long and plumper than most of the small bananas. The flavor does have a hint of apple, it's sweet but not cloying. Unfortunately for me, in my small garden, the plant gets very, very tall and has the long, narrow leaves that most bananas have. The ones in my garden I got from a friend and they stay under 6' in height and have very wide, tropical leaves. The fruit is yellow and tastes pretty much like a supermarket banana although it is shorter. I want the foliage of one and the fruit of the other

The next time I see those red bananas, I'd like to try one. I wish my banana plants looked like yours. I have to protect them from frost on Tuesday I think my Orinoco banana is supposed to grow to 10-12 ft. Are your bananas the dwarf Cavendish type?

I think it must be, I googled dwarf cavendish and it looks like some of the pictures. The size is right and it said that it could be distinguished because it keeps the male flowers. That matches mine. That's good to know, thanks. It also explains why the taste is so supermarket standard. There are so many flavors of bananas in the markets here that I've been kind of disappointed in the flavor of mine. This type - cavendish I guess - is called Roatan or Honduran here. My banana pit is right next to my terrace and is more for looks than fruit, but I would like both.

In my climate I can only grow them for ornamental purposes. A couple of years ago I managed to get my dwarf namwah to grow 6 ft before the first frost. Hopefully this year it will do better? Last year I had cannas and gingers and cassia plants surrounding it so it stayed small all year. I was so disappointed. I'd love to have my own home grown bananas but its just too much trouble trying to save the pseudostem. Your bananas look so beautiful, I'm so jealous

Well, that bunch of bananas are not so beautiful now. They turn really fast in this heat and I've been peeling and freezing as quickly as I could but I am just going to trash these last few.



Some of them ended up like this

Tease.

Yum.

That banana bread looks delicious

My Dwarf Namwah is finally waking up