For sure, the banana is the most consumed fruit not only in Brazil, but also in the whole world. Although we know only a few varieties, there are more than a thousand types of fruit spread across the planet.
Rich in nutrients that are more than essential to our health, such as vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, B12, and C, fiber, proteins, and potassium, in addition to magnesium, calcium, iron, and folic acid, it can bring numerous benefits, such as improving digestion, mood, greater energy in the body, strengthening bones, improving vision, prevention of cardiovascular diseases and cancer, aid in weight loss, healthy and beautiful skin, prevents muscle pain and cramps, among many others.
Therefore, bananas are considered an ideal superfood to always have at the table, as they are nutritious and, most importantly, they are easily found at a very affordable price. Now, have you ever thought about no longer having to buy bananas and pick your own fruits in the backyard?
In addition to having the fruit available when you want to consume it, you can still earn extra income with a small business of your own by selling the bunches to the neighborhood. Therefore, in today's article, you will learn how to plant banana seedlings and learn about the best cultivation tips for them to grow healthy and succulent. Come on?
Why plant bananas?
The first thing you need to know before planting bananas is that Brazil has a very favorable climate for growing the fruit. This is because most Brazilian regions have a climate with frequent hot temperatures, which is essential for the banana tree – as the tree that gives rise to the fruit is called – to grow healthy and produce delicious bananas. In this case, you can plant the banana tree either for your own consumption, with the privilege of having bananas available throughout the year right in your backyard, or even set up your own business to earn extra income at the end of the month. After all,
as bananas are the most consumed fruit in the country, there will certainly never be a lack of demand for this area in the market, which can be a chance for a profitable and stable business at the same time. In addition, the climate in Brazil is hot most of the year, which means that you will always have good banana crops, no matter the season. However, it is good for you to know that you need a good amount of space to plant bananas.
Tips on how to plant and grow bananas
Now that you know the reasons to start planting your own bananas at home, it's time to know what are the main steps and fundamental tips to boost your cultivation and always have healthy and juicy fruits.
Tip 1: Choosing the ideal location
temperature and humidity
First of all, to have a healthy banana tree, you need to choose a place with adequate temperature and humidity. As you've already read throughout this article, bananas need warm weather to develop. In this case, the ideal would be between 26 °C and 30 °C during the day and at least 20 °C at night. The humidity needs to be around 50% and always constant, that is, without sudden variations. Research the place where you are going to plant them beforehand and make sure that the temperature is never below 15 °C or above 34 °C.
Sunlight
The place to plant bananas also needs to be very sunny, as the banana tree needs at least 12 hours of intense sun every day to grow well. But watch out! The sun needs to be just ideal, that is, drainable enough to absorb water from irrigation or rainfall without compromising the root of the plant.
soil drainage
Know that a banana tree needs a good amount of water to develop. However, this same water used to irrigate it also needs to drain easily so that the root of the plant does not rot.
Therefore, the soil must be analyzed carefully before planting the banana seedling. So, the tip is to do a quick test first. Dig a hole approximately 30 cm deep, fill it with water and let it drain. Wait for it to empty and fill with more water. After an hour, go there and measure how much water is left after that time. It is important that the amount of water drained per hour in the case of banana plantations is 7 to 15 cm.
Space
Remember when we said that a banana tree can reach up to 7.0 meters in height? Well then! For this reason, you will need plenty of space in your backyard to plant your bananas. Ideally, you should leave a hole approximately 30 cm wide by 30 cm deep for each banana tree (if you are planting more than one). If you are thinking of planting more than one, make sure that there is a distance of at least 4.5 meters between each one or between any other tree or plant that you have in your yard, especially those that have very large roots, as these can take all the water from the ground.
If you are thinking of planting the banana tree at home, the “dwarf” version can be an ideal option, as it does not take up all that space. So, if this is your preference, talk to an expert.
Tip 2: The best time to plant
Although banana trees have a perennial life cycle, that is, they develop throughout the year, it is still necessary to choose the ideal period for them to be planted. In this case, the tip is to make this choice according to the climate of the region where you live. For example, if you live in a place where there is natural humidity, you can start planting in any month of the year. On the other hand, if the region is drier, the tip is to start planting in the rainy season, which usually happens between October and February, which can facilitate germination.
Tip 3: Selecting the type of banana
As you've read countless times here on the blog, there are several types of bananas in the world. Therefore, it is also valid to think that, consequently, there is a variety of banana trees that can be planted. Therefore, before planting your seedling, you must first choose which type of banana tree you want to grow. In this case, if your intention is to produce bananas for consumption in nature, the most recommended species are Colatina, Branca, Ouro, Prata, Maçã, and Danica. Now, if you are thinking out loud and intend to export bananas, the most suitable versions are the Grande Naine, Jangada, Lacatan, Nanicão, Piruá, Danica, or Poyo.
Tip 4: How to choose banana seedlings
For those who still don't know, a banana tree can only be planted from a seedling taken from another adult banana tree that is already bearing fruit. You can find the so-called rhizome in any nursery or plantation and it is what gives rise to the horns or horns of the banana tree.
Therefore, the tip is for you to find horns between 1.8 and 2.1 meters in height, with thin, sword-shaped leaves. On the other hand, a rhizome without horns, but with considerable size, can be cut into pieces, and each part of it with a bud will turn into a banana tree, which can take longer than if you only use a horn. When in doubt, talk to a farmer or an expert on the subject.
Tip 5: Preparing the soil for planting
After selecting the variety of banana trees you want to plant, it's time to get your hands dirty, or rather, in the soil! In this case, the first step is to start plowing the land, especially if it has already received other types of plants before. Take care that all residues are removed so as not to hinder the growth of your banana tree. The second step is to apply pesticides to the soil, at least a month before planting. Chemical products should prevent insects and other pests from appearing and proliferating during banana cultivation. Also, in the same way, that you need to put these additives in the soil, you also need to take care of it so that it stays healthy and fertile. Add organic and chemical compounds that have the function of potentiating the nutrients present in the soil.
Tip 6: Take care of the banana sowing
Sowing is one of the most important steps to successfully planting and growing your bananas. For that, you need to do it manually. Prepare the holes, which need to be, as you already know, at least 30 cm wide and 30 cm deep, which is the ideal space for the seedlings to grow at will and firm their roots. Once again, remember that if you are going to plant more than one banana tree or if you have more than one plant in the yard, the space between one hole and another must be 1.30 cm between one seedling so that they do not interfere. in each other's development.
Tip 7: Plant correctly
Now that you've prepared everything to plant your banana seedling, it's time to finally plant it. First, can the plant. Cut off any dry or discolored parts, which may be dead, decaying, or even eaten by insects. In the case of those who are using horns, the tip is to remove the entire root, leaving between 2.5 cm to 5 cm to plant. Then, fertilize the soil you prepared earlier, leaving just a few inches of soil on top to facilitate the absorption of water from irrigation or rainfall. Plant the seedling upright in the hole, taking care that the leaves are up and that the soil covers the root between 1.5 cm and 2.5 cm from the base. Tap the soil around the plant by hand or shovel to help secure it in place. Your banana tree is planted! Now, just take care of it so that it bears good fruit.
Tip 8: Watch out for fertilization
Right after planting, you need to take good care of your banana tree so that it grows healthy and without problems. Ideally, you should fertilize it monthly with fertilizer, manure, compost or all of these together, always at a small distance from the trunk. While still a seedling, the plant needs at least 100 to 200 grams of fertilizer per month. After adulthood, this amount should rise to 700 to 900 grams per month. The tip is to increase the dosages according to the growth of the banana tree.
Tip 9: Irrigate your banana tree properly
Irrigation should be regulated so that the plant is not dry or too wet. On hot days without rain, the tip is for you to water your banana tree daily, but only on the surface of dry soil, at a distance of 1.5 cm to 3 cm. In doubt? Test the soil moisture with your finger before pouring the water. On cold days, which is also the period when the banana tree grows less, the ideal is to water it only once every one or two weeks. Repeat the finger-to-ground test if in doubt. You also need to keep an eye on the time it takes the plant to absorb water. If it's long, reduce the amount so the root doesn't rot.
Tip 10: Harvest time
First of all, you need to know that banana trees take about a whole year to produce fruit. So, don't be in a hurry! The good news is that once they bear fruit, they will be produced throughout the following year, which gives a reprieve from the wait. However, it is worth remembering that the frequency with which bananas will be born will depend on the climatic conditions of the region where you live, the soil, and, of course, the care you took with the banana tree during cultivation. But, after all, when to know the right harvest time? It's simple! Within nine months or a year, purple banana leaves will begin to appear, which indicates that the banana bunches are almost ripe.
In this case, you will have to wait for the flower petals to fall to reveal the curls. When the flowers themselves have died and completely fallen off, it's time to pick the bananas. To harvest, you will need to use gloves and a machete to detach the bunches from the banana tree. Be very careful that the bananas do not fall to the ground and “hurt themselves”, as any hit can leave those ugly dark spots that we hate so much and that make the fruit unattractive, in addition to compromising its flavor.
