Today, we grow fruits and vegetables in greenhouses. Bananas have been with us for centuries. Can Bananas grow in a Greenhouse?
Yes, bananas grow very well in a greenhouse. This trend has gained a sizeable popularity in several countries across the world. Bananas grown under recommended agricultural experts’ requirements can give the farmer a very satisfactory harvest.
Dwarf banana varieties do quite well in limited spaces.
For successful growth of a healthy banana plant in a greenhouse, two very common components, space, and warmth are required. In absence of these, the plant will grow but the harvest will be very poor.
The only problem is that it will cost you about $200 to grow bananas that you could buy for $2 at the grocery store.
Space for growing bananas in a greenhouse
Most of the mature banana trees/plants grow to an approximate height of about 20 feet and need a surrounding width space of about 10 feet to spread their leaves.
With these measurements, the greenhouse should be designed to accommodate the stated measurements.
It is also good to notice that researchers have equally managed to come up with a dwarf variety of bananas to help minimize space consumption. This has given farmers who would wish to grow the plant in a greenhouse a very great relief since the dwarf type is doing very well in a container or greenhouse pot.
During winter, you can grow bananas in a greenhouse by maintaining warmth. Bananas grow well at temperatures over 77oF (26oC) year-round.
For good results, suckers need to be sliced off to give the mother plant enough space as well as to reduce competition for the available growth nutrients.
Warmth in greenhouses for growing bananas
Banana plant/tree being tropical needs an average temperature of between 80 to 90 degrees for healthy growth. Any temperature below this will stunt or reduce the performance of the plant.
Other factors that must also be considered for better performance in the greenhouse include light, soil acidity level, and drainage. A high organic soil with a PH of 6 to 7 is highly recommended. The greenhouse properly drained and maintain consistent humidity and must be under well-lit conditions to increase growth rate as well as maximize fruiting.