How to Grow Banana Robusta

Select an area of full sun for planting bananas. Planting close to building and driveways creates additional warmth. Keep out of areas of high wind.

Plant in a fertile, well-drained soil with a preferred pH of 5.5 to 6.5. Avoid planting in very salty soil. Though the fruit tolerates nearly all types of soil, planting in good soil leads to optimal growth.

Dig a planting hole that is 3 feet wide and 2 feet deep. Mix together equal amounts of peat, sand and compost in enough quantity to fill the planting hole after planting.

Place the banana plant or sucker upright in the planting hole. If you are using pieces of rhizomes, center these in the panting hole. The best way to start new plants is with suckers or pieces of rhizomes, suggests the University of Florida Extension.

Fill with the prepared soil and water plants well. Apply a heavy layer of organic mulch to keep weeds in control and to conserve soil moisture. Suitable mulch materials include coffee husks, wheat straw and pine leaves.

Water plants deeply and regularly but do not over-water; that will cause standing water. Regular irrigation is especially important during warm weather.

Apply about 1/3 to 1/2 pound of 8:10:8 fertilizer regularly every month to young plants. Bananas have a rapid growth rate and are heavy feeders. Use 1 1/2 to 2 pounds of same formulation of fertilizer for mature plants.

Spread fertilizer evenly around the trunk extending 4 to 8 feet away from base so that the fertilizer does not touch the plant directly.