A neighbor is giving me a banana tree plant. Can I transplant it anytime or just certain times of the year?

Question

I live in north Georgia, near Chattanooga, TN and it is just starting to get cold here.

Answer 1

Hello Hi...

Ah... it's banana plant akin - Musa acuminata.


It's Best and advisable not to transplant it now as it is getting cold now.
The reason not to transplant now is because the soil would also be cold. Diseases would come very easily and your stressed banana plant will be susceptible to such factors after a transplant. Growth rate and everything would be slowed down in a cold weather or micro-climate. Hence, being a tropical region plant, it's best to transplant it after the cold season.


About tips and information about transplanting a plant, i will type it towards the end of this post. Look through it if you are interested. =)

For taking care of it currently, it's better to ask your neighbour how he / she previously took care of it. Ask about the frequency of watering, fertilizing, pruning and etc. Now that the plant has a new owner, you must too, give what the plant's previous owner gave. =)

From here, you can be sure that the plant will survive well under your care. For further information on how to take care of banana plant during the cold season, you can again ask your neighbour or go to a local nursery to ask about it. They had many plants in stock and they sure know how to deal with the weather and season changes.

Needless to say, banana plant needs full sunlight and protection from wind and cold. When the cold season has gone, choose a sunny location to transplant it. But oh, wait....
Ask your neighbour where does he / she place it previously- Is it in a sunny or partial sun [all day] location. This is crucial as it contributes effectively to the rate of transplanting and acclimatizating.

I've found some links about care of banana plants.. you can take your time and refer to them... excellent sites... =D

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/MG040
http://www.howtodothings.com/home-and-garden/a2399-how-to-care-for-banana-trees.html


Now, i'll type briefly [Make reading easier for you] more about transplanting a plant, in general. What are required for an effective transplant and success.



1.If plant is in soil, dig an area outside of its crown or appromixmately 1-2 metres away from the main root system.

2.If it's a big plant, use a knife or siccsors to cut the roots from the root ball system. [To let roots grow into the new soil and also, minimize the changes of root bound disease]

3.If plant is in pot, overturn it slowly and take the plant out from its base, not the top.

4.Have a soil which is Free from disease causing organism. eg. peat moss

5.Water it immediately you've transplanted

6.Remove all flowers as much as possible. [A lot of Energy is used to produce flowers. Now, you want leaves to grow first. ]

7.Remove all dead leaves, etc.

8.Don't fertilize it until its flowering again. If not, wait for 2-3months.

9. Keep on monitoring the situation of the plant.

10. If it is given by another person to you, ask about its growing condition of the plant. Eg. Watering & Fertilizing frequency, location of plant; sunny or shady, etc.



I hope all these will help you in preparing to transplanting your Dear Banana plant. I hereby sincerely wish you a very good luck in your plant.. =)


~Respect.

Answer 2

If it gets colder than about 60 - 70 degrees F in your area that tree is dead.

I have a neighbor here in New England with one who has it in a big pot outdoors sitting on a wheeled cart. Whenever it gets below those temperatures he drags it back indoors. Banana trees are unbelievably temperature sensitive.

They also have a problem with windy days because their leaves are shredded by the action of the wind. Look for a sheltered place to beat that.

Answer 3

We put ours in a dark outbuilding to overwinter. We dig it up and put the root in a burlap sack.