Although banana plants are seen as a tropical to sub tropical plant, some banana plants can be grown in cool climates given the right variety and conditions. Banana plants including dwarf varieties are available for sale from retail nurseries in QLD and can also be purchased online in other states. Generally bananas require a humus rich fertile soil, moist but well drained, they require 6-8 hours of sun and protection from frost and cool winds. Try cultivars such as Dwarf Ducasse and other listed below for best results in cool climates
Care of Banana Plants
In cooler climates a position that is north facing is ideal. We suggest digging the area to be planted over with some well rotted compost and animal manure 3-4 weeks before planting. Water in new plants with a liquid seaweed fertiliser and mulch well to retain moisture. A slow release fertiliser applied regularly is essential and we suggest additional applications of seaweed fertiliser during the growing season.
How long before a banana plant will fruit 2-4 years, after this you need to replace the plant with one of the offsets that has been produced.
After fruiting simply cut the plant back to the ground and it will reshoot from the offsets. A better practice is to dig and divide the offsets.
Banana species and varieties for cool climates
- Dwarf Ducasse and Ducasse
- Ladyfinger
- Goldfinger
- Blue Java
- Pisang Ceylan
- Bluggoe
If you live in a cool climate and would like to try your hand at growing bananas, or even a pineapple or two, then take a walk around you house.
You are looking for the sunny side, the one that faces north. You are also looking for a sheltered position, no cold winds and protection from frosts.
This may well be a north facing patio or verandah, or a position against a north facing wall. You will also need some really good soil, deep and rich, lots of compost, aged cow manure and blood and bone. Maybe add some activated bio char as well to help retain a little extra moisture.
You may also need to look into some cover for those cold winter days. After that its time to see what exotic fruits you can grow,
Cool climate bananas are the most popular, great foliage and if you can get them to fruit, a real sense of achievement.
The banana varieties to look for include Ducasse, Lady Finger and Pisang Ceylan. You could try Cavendish, however they are a little more difficult. You can grow them in the ground, or in large pots. Keep up the water, fertilise regularly and keep them warm.
Once you’ve got them going, you can move on to pineapples, or even peanuts, and they can be grown in pots as well.
Warmer climate and commercial varieties
The most popular banana grown commercially is the Cavendish probably followed by Valery, and Williams Hybrid Other banana varieties (most are not readily available in Australia) include:
- Manzano (apple bananas),
- Burro ( a short stubby banana)
- Plantain (cooking bananas)
- Red yes the skin is red (very sweet but difficult in commercial production as it does not transport that well)
- Lakatan ( a popular variety in the Philippines)
Banana Plants are available for sale from the following nurseries
BLUE SKY BACKYARD BANANAS
Tully QLD 4854 – phone: 0740682208
DPI approved tissue-cultured banana plants for backyard growers. Ladyfinger, Goldfinger, Blue Java, Dwarf Ducasse, Pisang Ceylan and Bluggoe available for sale by mail order Australia-wide.