see more; Family Musaceae . In cooler weather, monitor the soil and irrigate only when soil becomes slightly dry. Fill up the spaces in the pot and around the plant with new sterile potting soil that has been amended with fertilizer. Flowers and immature fruit hands may develop at the end of summer but will not mature if temperature drop below 80 degrees in autumn. When growing a dwarf banana tree, you should use a large and deep pot with a good-sized drainage hole that should allow at least about 3 inches of space on every side of the corm or banana base. When the dwarf banana tree is being for ornamental purposes and not for its fruits, it can be kept away from direct sunlight and put in the shade. All bananas relish warm soil and air temperatures. The easiest way to grow a dwarf banana plant indoors is to buy a corm or sucker from a store and plant it in a loam-based compost. Always water the soil when it is dry in the top half-inch to an inch. The California Rare Fruit Growers Association recommends planting bananas directly into a well-rotted compost pile. But if you are growing your dwarf banana tree indoors, you don’t need to apply fertilizers heavily on it. Use plain water mixed with a bit of diluted dish soap in a spray bottle. The parent banana plant will die and be replaced by one of the pups so this is another reason to start with a smaller banana plant. Musa Dwarf Banana Care. Many homeowners find that this can be hard to naturally provide, and often supplement light later in the day with a 100W solar lamp. For their optimal growth and vitality, they require at least 8 hours of sunlight and at least an extra 4 hours more sunlight to encourage fruiting. Dwarf bananas require warm temperatures to thrive, ensure that your home is humid enough for them. For improved aeration and drainage, add 20% perlite. Copyright Leaf Group Ltd. // Leaf Group Lifestyle. Considered among the shortest growing varieties, Dwarf Cavendish banana tree (Musa 'Dwarf Cavendish') will grow up to 6 to 10 feet tall with wide-reaching leaves. Now I have changed the soil hoping it will bring it back to life. Wright holds a graduate diploma in environmental horticulture from the University of Melbourne, Australia, and a Master of Science in public horticulture from the University of Delaware. For lush growth and development of flowers and subsequent fruit, plant this variety where temperatures are `above 80 degrees for at least six to nine months. Extended subfreezing temperatures below 22 degrees kill underground roots. The dead leaves and stalks help protect the roots from further freezes or cold. It also enjoys well-draining soils. If the soil is too moist or soggy, the plant will develop root rot. Dwarf banana trees are susceptible to pests and disease attacks, so ensure to be on the lookout for these pests and diseases, and take necessary actions against them as soon as possible. To re-pot a wrongly potted plant or a grown plant, select the most suitable pot as described above. Do not fertilize in fall or winter when the plant is waning or dormant. During planting, ensure that the banana rhizome is upright, and its roots are well covered with soil. If the dwarf banana tree is planted in the ground, avoid overwatering the soil as well. For lush gro… Make sure your banana tree has a spot right in front of the window that receives the best light in your home. The Dwarf Banana Tree is non-toxic to humans and pets. Bananas are one of the stress-free plants to grow, all thanks to their quick growth rate, ability to thrive in poor soil, and their relatively pest-free nature. Provide the tree with an organic-rich, moist but well-draining soil that is deep and warm. Within a year of planting, you can have fruit growing on your new banana tree! Fill up the spaces in the pot and around the plant with new sterile potting soil that has been amended with fertilizer. That is because soils in containers dry out faster. Granular fertilizers also supplement the compost and liquid feedings. If you are suffering from fungus gnats, cover … Dwarf banana trees are sun-loving plants. Then place a 4 inches layer of mulch on the soil. Generally, dwarf banana trees enjoy high humidity. Grow it outdoors in the ground in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 8 and warmer; frost kills the plant back to the underground roots. Fill the lower part of the pot with sterile potting soil that is new and has been mixed with fertilizer. As a precautionary tip, do not grow a dwarf banana tree in a soil that had shown signs of fusarium fungal infection. Place it somewhere that gets 6 – 12 hours sunlight, water it every couple of days and use fertilizer once per week. Read Also: Best Plants to Grow with Watermelon. However, full sunlight helps in promoting flowering. Dwarf bananas, whether grown indoors or outdoors, require rich, well-draining humus soil. The love for tropical houseplants never fades for a gardener geek. Never use household cleaners, as they will clog the pores and burn leaves. In cooler weather, monitor the soil and irrigate only when soil becomes slightly dry. However, you would need a big pot that is deep enough to contain its many roots. Grow it outdoors in the ground in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 8 and warmer; frost kills the plant back to the underground roots. They require a monthly fertilizer application for optimal growth and development. Dark Cavendish banana trees are preferred over the taller varieties because of their short height. Dwarf banana trees enjoy conditions with the least temperature of 57 degrees Fahrenheit and temperatures that are above 60 degrees Fahrenheit. So use an aged compost material. Dwarf bananas are best grown indoors because of their height and size that occupy less space in a home, unlike the regular large ones. This pot should also provide adequate drainage. While indoors, provide the plant with adequate light and place it in a comfortable condition that would not hinder its growth. When dormant or in winter, keep soil barely moist; wet soils in cold weather leads to root rot and plant demise. Transplanting Banana Plant Pups. Mulching the base of the plant also helps in conserving moisture in the soil. Dwarf banana trees feed a lot. The rule is water the soil only when the plant has dried out some water. It also requires plenty of sunlight. A warm light for indoor dwarf banana trees helps promote richer and deeper green foliage, while full sunlight helps promote lighter leaf coloration with a yellow to greenish tone. If shorter plants or just foliage is desired without fruits, more shade is acceptable. Dwarf Cavendish banana tree, also known as ladyfinger banana is a widely grown banana tree whose name was derived from the height of its pseudostem, and not its fruit as most people think.