Papaya,banana and other small tree starters

[StillHope]

"Dig a planting hole for the papaya tree that is three to four times the diameter of its planting pot and approximately three times its depth" .

That is assuming there's more soil around.If I have mostly bare lava should I still do 2x2ft hole for the future growth?
Somewhere I read that too big hole is not always good.
So in case of 12 inch size papaya and 1 - 1.5 ft banana trees how big should be the hole in bare lava?

Note: I have so called popcorn lava.


___________________________
Whatever you assume,please
just ask a question first.

[leilaniguy]

When I want to plant something in a rocky spot I just take the plant out of the pot, set it right on the surface where I want it and mound dirt & compost around it. It's always worked.

[robguz]

My most successful papaya seem to be the volunteers that just sprung up from a random seed. In other words, no soil really at all, just started from a seed in a crevice between the rocks. Just put some mulch over it, keep it watered and add some fertilizer occasionally and that should be good enough. Papayas are pretty effortless.

As for bananas, I've done big holes and small holes and they all become huge eventually because they work their way through the rock. Again, they need to be mulched so the roots can spread and not dry out. Bananas are considered heavy feeders so keep that in mind. I try to put on some banana fertilizer every couple months or so or when the leaves don't seem dark green.

[StillHope]

Thank you.Leilaniguy and Rob.I appreciate your advice.

___________________________
Whatever you assume,please
just ask a question first.

[robguz]

You're lucky! I wonder if you have soil Kathy. Mine get less green over time if I don't fertilize, but I see them growing like crazy on some undeveloped lots in Kehena where the lava flow is at least a few hundred years old, and nobody is fertilizing those.

[Rene Siracusa]

Bananas (the fruit) are rich in potassium, and it has to come from somewhere. If you fertilize, use a fertilizer high in potash (the K in N-P-K). Or you can mulch with the dead banana leaves and cut up trunks. If you burn wood trimmings, the ash from the fire is also a good source of natural potash and you can topdress your plants with it.

[asly]

Hi Rob, what do you use for banana fertilizer in seaview?

Enjoy the day! Ann

[robguz]

I just buy the regular banana fertilizer from Garden Exchange or BEI (think that's the name) in Hilo. Not organic unfortunately. I do just leave the leaves but will have to try mulching with cut up trunks since I'll be cutting down a lot of them soon.

[Hotzcatz]

Bananas sort of naturally make their own mulch with the amount of leaves they drop off. If I get tired of the messy hanging dead leaf look an untended banana plant has, I'll cut the leaves off but leave them at the base of the plant. Around here they also get a light bit of chicken and rabbit manure, but that's just when the coop and cages are being cleaned out.

---

"I like yard sales," he said. "All true survivalists like yard sales."
Kurt Wilson