Position
Bananas prefer full sun or partial afternoon shade. The Williams banana tree is not tall, so it can withstand strong winds better than other cultivars.
Size
A mature Williams banana tree is between 2.5 and 3 mts tall and spreads between 1.8 and 2.4 mts.
Soil
Well-drained soil with a pH range of between 6.5 and 8.
Use potting soil if growing your tree in a container. You could use your garden soil or a mixture of compost and potting soil to grow in the ground.
Improve soil quality by adding a bag of Volcanic Rock Dust (R25 per bag), which replaces minerals and trace elements that our soils have lost, add a bag of Superfrass (R25 per bag) at planting to boost nutrients (NPK and micronutrients) and support strong, healthy growth while also helping protect against pests.
Watering
Keep the soil around your banana tree moist to ensure the roots do not dry.
Mulching
Add a thick layer of pine bark mulch, keeping it about 20 to 30 centimetres away from the tree trunk (any closer may cause excess moisture and damage the trunk). This will retain soil moisture and prevent weeds from taking over.
Fertilising
Apply 1 teaspoon of our slow-release nitrogen-rich All Plant Fertiliser every 4-5 months.
Pruning
Remove damaged or worn leaves to keep your tree in tip-top shape. Pruning stimulates the growth of new leaves.
Pests and Diseases
Spraying regularly with Agricultural Neem Oil or Effective Microorganisms (EM Control) will assist in prevention or in after-the-fact control. If you already have aphids or mites, wash the tree with a harsh hosing, and when dry, spray with Neem oil or EM Control.
Harvesting
From the time the flowers appear until the fruit is mature, it usually takes 75 to 80 days. They are ready to pick when the fruit on the upper section changes from green to light green/yellow. The fruit will also have begun to plump up. Remember that bananas can also be used at various stages – even green bananas.
