Banana plant fertilizer

[Ashley S]

What fertilizer is the best for banana plants? I just got some small ones, 4" and 18".  Can't wait to see them shoot up!

[Silas_Sancona]

6 minutes ago, Ashley S said:

What fertilizer is the best for banana plants? I just got some small ones, 4" and 18".  Can't wait to see them shoot up!

For Bananas, something w/ a Fertilizer NPK  %'age ratio similar to this: 8 - 2 - 12 ( 8% Nitrogen, 2% Phosphorus,  and 12% ..or higher Potassium < K > ) is optimal.. Organic is my choice, but, a slow release, Chemical fert is ok too..  Liquid stuff like Miracle Gro? Avoid it like the plague.. Horrible for plants, ..and your soil.

That same fertilizer ratio is perfect for Palms, and plants like Gingers / Heliconia, Plumeria, Hibiscus, etc. as well. 

[Ashley S]

Is there a specific product/brand you use?

[Ashley S]

And what about a liquid version? I have dogs that will eat anything, so I prefer a quick application. They were so attracted to the rose and flower fertilizer that I used. It's dog safe, but I still don't want them eating it. For some reason they wanted to eat all of it.

[Silas_Sancona]

Just now, Ashley S said:

And what about a liquid version? I have dogs that will eat anything, so I prefer a quick application. They were so attracted to the rose and flower fertilizer that I used. It's dog safe, but I still don't want them eating it. For some reason they wanted to eat all of it.

Liquid fert options like Kelp or Fish are good, though your dogs might still be drawn to it, before it dissipates into the soil at least...

Before he passed last August, my dog would occasionally sniff potted plants after i'd applied granular type fertilizers..  Other that the occasional " leave it " and /or  squirt on his ears or rump from a water bottle to turn his attention toward something else, he could've cared less about it..

In the 12 and a half years having him ..and a ton of plants that required yearly feeding -at the very least- , never had any problems.

Regardless, whenever i fertilize stuff, i'll usually water it in right after applying it so that any " attracted to it " interest is lessened as well. since a neighbor has a cat herd that roam the neighborhood. 

Since you have dogs, one thing is for sure, Organic options will be far less toxic to them - should they get a hold of any- compared to chemically - made stuff.

Use of mulch, raked up leaves esp, piled around the plants, will do wonders for bananas -and everything else-  as well.


 

[Chester B]

I have used a product called Banana fuel from Wellspring gardens.  It works for cannas, alocasias and colocasias too. It’s a crystal that you mix with water.
 

In ground I use banana peels, fruit waste and old leaves off the plant itself. 

[dalmatiansoap]

Just give them quality compost at this stage. Later you can feed them with almost anything, they become greedy very easy