It measures about 5'x5' and the planter soil is 16" deep on top of unamended native soil. This pic was taken looking directly south. So the sun rises on the left side of the pic and travels to the right. Because of the houses, the direct sunlight on this spot will be from mid-morning to mid-afternoon. Ideally I would like a banana that grows about 8' to 12' tall and produces edible fruit.

Any suggestions?

This is just another angle to show the size of the planting cell for the banana. The smaller one is a cell for herbs,
especially the invasive ones like mint.

You know my response. Dwarf Orinoco.
My tallest one was about 8' tall. That was to the top of the stalk where the leaves come out.

The actual height with the leaves sticking in the air was probably close to 15' tall. A total guess on my part.

The downfall with the orinocos is that they do have a lot of lower leaves and not sure if that is what you are looking for or if you want to be able to walk around under it.

I put in a ice cream banana spring of last year and so far its doing OK.
Not sure how tall it will get but its reported to get around 20' tall.
To young to tell how the fruiting goes.

On a side note Dan.
Once bananas flower that stalk will die.
But they do send out new pups on the side and from what I've experienced with the orinoco's is the area in your picture dedicated to a banana will fill quickly in a couple years.
The main banana will push pups either the 1st or 2nd year. My experience has been usually the 2nd year pups will form.
I'm also getting pups on the ice cream banana so I'm expecting the diameter/space it takes up will increase very quickly.
The time it has taken mine to form a pup to being large enough to flower has been around 4 years.

The ones I have over by my BBQ have flowered twice and I had to get in there and do some serious cutting back, dividing and transplanting.

Well, I don't know what kind of banana, but what a beautiful raised bed!

Brenda

Any idea how big the root zone needs to be for bananas? Do they have a tap root?

No tap roots but they send out side roots in all directions.
My planter isnt any bigger than yours and they are doing great.
When I divided mine I had to dig it up. That was one huge chore.
The main part where the banana comes from reminds me of a huge gladiola corm

That's good to know Ray, thanks.

So did you decide on a banana yet Dan? Your planter is awesome BTW...

Ray has offered me one of the Dwarf Orinoco pups that he has. I have to coordinate meeting him the next time I go to Tucson. I'd like to get it in the ground soon.

Ray, you're my hero - lol!

Ray has good luck with naners. I have a Gran Nain that I got last fall, too late to plant, so it's been patiently waiting in a pot all winter. The main stalk got bit by the cold in early December even covered on the patio, but there is green now coming up and two pups. Now to figure out where I'm gonna plant it since it needs to get planted soon...

Dann - I'm kicking myself. We could have made the exchange yesterday but I was running late gathering up my oldest for the vball tourny in Phoenix. Usually the wife does this but she had to work at the UofA and we had to go pick her up.
They do this thing at the business where the get professional people to come and interview the kids that want to get into the business program.
I thought it was kinda funny when had to go to do my last potty potty break before we headed to Phoenix (thanks a lot governor for shutting down the Sacatan Rest Stop) so I go running in to hit the restroom and I had to make my way through all these kids wearing suits and ties while I'm in my jeans and t-shirt. LOL
Anyways. The v-ball tourny was over right next to Williams Airport and we kept seeing signs for San Tan. Isnt that where you are?

On a side note.
I did get to Joe's Farm and Grill. Very good.
And Bass Pro Shop. Major drooling going on checking out all the goodies.
Plus the trout stream and bass fish tank brought a tear to my eye.
I really need to move to Phoenix.

Williams Field is about 20 minutes from me. Not to worry, we'll connect soon.

Bass Pro Shop and Cabela's have the same effect on me. If only a lack of money didn't get in the way........

OK Dan. I want a full report in 1 month on the banana.

I want a couple of those bass in my pond from Bass Pro Shop.

I'll get back to you about the bananas.

I've been looking at those bass since the store opened, and at Cabela's too, and I haven't figured out a way to "liberate" them yet. We may have to go down there and see if we can come up with something!

This is the banana pup that Ray gave me earlier this week. I planted it yesterday and Deb swears that it has grown an inch in the last 24 hours!

This banana pup that Ray gave me last month really took a growth spurt the last few days.

Sweet! That is going to be awesome!

Hows the banana doing Dan?
I dont why, but this year mine are all getting a slow start. Wonder if its do to the cooler weather than we have had in the last couple years?

Growing like gang busters Ray! It has 5 leaves now and seems to be getting a new one about every week. I'll get a pic and post it later when I get home.