Question
I just (yesterday)adopted a very big, potted banana.  It is in a 10" pot, and there are actually 3 plants in the pot.  The tallest leaf is 4'8" above the soil.  

It is upstairs in a room that has 360-degree clerestory windows.  But since it is winter in the Boston area, it's never gonna get 12 hrs/day of sunshine.

Doesn't seem to have any mites, etc.

I'm about to leave the plant in the care of a housesitter for 2 months, and want to give her specific instructions.  She can probably mist it -- how often should that be???  Water more often than once a week?  (I do have city water.) To save electricity I don't plan to leave a humidifier on, since nobody but the plants will be up there.  

Answer
Diana,

Your banana should only be watered when it has been dry for a few days. I have a smaller one in the same size pot and I am only watering it every 2 weeks right now. It does not get as much sun as yours will as mine only hase a south window and it is in a cool room, 50 - 60 degrees. I d not mist mine and it is fine.  Overwatering is a much worse problem than underwatering as it rots the roots and kills the plant. Underwatering just slows the growth a bit. It would be best if your sitter carried a bucket of water up there and left it sit for a few days before using it. That allows it to come to room temperature which is better and it allowa the chlorine and flouride to disipate into the air before it is used to water the plant. Then those chemicals will not harm the plant. Also tell your sitter not to leave water in the drain tray after she is done watering. Giver her a turkey baster to suck excess water out of the drain tray. Sitting in a lot of water will rot the roots. Have fun on your trip, your banana should be fine if the sitter follows these instructions.

Darlene