Step 1
First, pick a location that stays warm throughout the growing season. For good growth, the temperature of the area needs to stay above 15°C. Growth stops below 10°C and the heat damages the plants when temperatures rise above 36°C. The best planting location for Bananas is in the full sun, but the light shade is tolerated in hot locations.
Step 2
Remove the weeds from the selected site. Spread about 6 inches of well-rotted compost over the area. Organic compost is made from hay, straw, grass clippings, plant leaves, rabbit manure, chicken manure, and seaweed. Dig the soil up to about 12 inches deep with a shovel and mix the compost into the soil.
Step 3
Break the soil up with the edge of a garden hole and dig a hole as deep and as wide as the root ball of the Banana plant. Place the root ball in the hole and pack the soil around the plant roots. Space other Banana plants about 8 to 12 feet apart, depending on the mature size of the variety.
Step 4
Spread 2 to 6 inches of organic mulch around the base of the Banana plant. Keep the mulch 2 to 6 inches from the trunk and then expand the mulch layer 2 to 6 feet over the root zone. Shredded bark and wood chips are good mulch for these plants. The mulch retains soil moisture, reduces the growth of weeds, and provides the Banana plant with slow-release organic nutrients.
Step 5
The time of planting of Banana depends on climatic conditions and availability of water. In areas of heavy and continuous rains, planting of Banana must be done after rains i.e. September – October and in those areas where rains are not so, heavy planting can be done in June-July. In Irrigated areas, the Banana planting is done in February – March and in hilly areas in April. The planting material is treated with a solution of about 250 g of ghee, 0.500 g of honey, and 15 kg of cow dung.
Step 6
The spacing adopted by organic Banana cultivators is about 1.5 m x 1.5 m and 1.5 m x 1.8 m. Though for tissue cultured Banana, the Grandnaine planting style is different from traditionally Banana culture.
Step 7
Water the plant once a week during the first growing season after planting and twice a week during hot, dry conditions. Cut the amount of water provided once the Banana plant has established its roots.
Step 8
Start feeding the plant each year in the spring before new growth appears. Make your organic tea and feed a 10-percent solution to the roots every two to three weeks. Stop feeding the plant in the fall.
Step 9
Prune out the flower clusters to one or two stalks. After the flowers have bloomed, let two others produce for next year’s crop. The hand of Bananas is ready to pick when the top of the cluster starts to turn a yellow color. Remove the stalk of Bananas and let them ripen at room temperature level.
