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How to Care for a Dwarf Banana Tree
How to Care for a Dwarf Banana Tree. Dwarf bananas are easy to grow, requiring the same care and attention as their taller counterparts. The plant of northern Australian and Indo-Malaysian origin grows and spreads from its extensive rhizome root system. Dwarf bananas grow between 4 and 8 feet tall, while taller varieties grow 10 to 15 feet high....
Dwarf bananas are easy to grow, requiring the same care and attention as their taller counterparts. The plant of northern Australian and Indo-Malaysian origin grows and spreads from its extensive rhizome root system. Dwarf bananas grow between 4 and 8 feet tall, while taller varieties grow 10 to 15 feet high. The plant grows outdoors and indoors in containers to provide a tropical touch to the setting. Sensitive to cold climates, the tropical plants thrive in areas with temperatures above 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
Things You'll Need
Compost or peat moss
5- to 7-gallon container
Watering can
Organic mulch
8-10-8 fertilizer
Blanket
Pruning shears
Grow the dwarf banana plant in well-draining soil with a pH between 5.5 and 7.0. Expose it to at least four hours of direct sunlight every day. Amend the planting site with organic matter such as compost or peat. If you're growing the plant in a container, select a large 5- to 7-gallon pot that provides its roots space to spread and grow.
Water the plant immediately after planting so the soil remains evenly moist. Afterward, water the soil around the dwarf banana frequently, taking care not to flood it as it increases its susceptibility to root rot. Allow 1 inch of the soil to dry slightly between watering. Ideally, give the banana plant 1 to 1 1/2 inch of water every week.
Spread a 3- to 4-inch thick layer of mulch around the base of the dwarf banana plant to retain moisture and deter roots. Space the mulch 6 inches away from the trunk of the plant.
Feed outdoor dwarf banana plant 2 lb. of an 8-10-8 fertilizer every month during the summer. Spread the fertilizer in a circle around the plant, 3 to 4 feet away from the trunk to prevent direct contact. Fertilize container-grown bananas with half the amount of fertilizer.
Move the container-grown dwarf banana tree indoors when nighttime temperatures drop below 28 degrees Fahrenheit to protect it from freeze. In areas with light frost or mild winters, wrap the trunk of outdoor trees with a blanket or build up soil around the trunk to protect rhizomes before the first expected frost.
Remove all shoots from the plant as soon as you notice them, leaving one primary stem of each rhizome intact. This practice helps the plant divert its energy for producing fruit. When the stalk is 8 months old, allow one sucker to develop to serve as the replacement stalk for the following year.
