Question
Hi Nick,

I planted my 18 inch tall banana in 5 gallon pot in Mar/09. It is growing but the leaves are getting brown around the edges of the leaves.  What should I do? and what kind of fertilizer is good for banana? I live in Austin, TX, it has been very warm and not much of rain for 3,4 months this year.
Thanks you so much for your helps in the past.Hope you don't mind to help me again.Dee


Answer
Hi Dee, my pleasure, ok, first you must know that Bananas do not fare well in containers, they tend to become stressed rather quickly, and need to be in the ground where the Corm can expand without limitations (underground root system); They need a high Potassium fertilizer, thats the 3rd number on the granulars you see in stores, like "9-12-24", the 24 would be the Potassium count, and it needs to be the highest of the 3 numbers for full benefit by your Banana. They need full  Sun, but if your temps are exceeding 95, then afternoon shade would be better; frequent irrigation and monthly fertilizing are the ticket, but again, in the ground, not a cramped container, and believe me, a five gallon container is wayyyyy too small for a Banana. Mulch the ground well where you plant it, and mix in some store bought manure and compost with the soil, then everytime you cut the grass, if you collect it, dump it around the Banana, not contacting it, but around it where it can break down and at nutrients to the soil. Nick