The String of pearl is close relative to a string of bananas. These succulents are known for their ability to grow fast and are easy to care for. Native in South Africa, the String of bananas are characterized by glossy, banana-shaped leaves that are long with hanging tendrils. Based on the training, it makes an excellent hanging house plant or could grow on a moss pole.
This article will learn the 8 golden rules for watering the String of bananas. Unlike many succulents, they are preferred because of their exciting foliage rather than their bloom. The plant is an excellent outdoor plant, especially in warm climates. In cooler temperatures, it is suitable as an indoor plant. The watering rules include:
1. Water less Frequently During the Winter Season
The String of bananas enters a period of dormancy during the winter season. Water the plant deeply but less frequently to avoid overwatering during this cold period. The plant does not use water because there is no active growth. A string of bananas is better off-dry during the winter than too wet.
The plant during the winter season receives less than ideal light and cooler than average heat lengths and temperatures. As a result, little evaporation occurs, thus water enough to prevent the plant from drying. If you are not sure whether to water, not watering could work better. You can wait till the plant shows signs of thirst before you water, though, as the plant is likely to die.
2. Underwatering a String Plant is better than Overwatering
Remember that the easiest and the fastest way to kill a succulent is through overwatering. These plants are highly susceptible to root rot when they have been overwatered. Strings of bananas are not exceptions because of their thin root structure. It is essential to know some of the signs to look for when the plant is overwatered.
Some of these signs include
- The plant automatically starts having an unhealthy appearance
- The plant becomes soft and mushy
- The foliage of the plant burst when touched.
If some of these signs show up, they are telltale signs that you should cut on your watering or lose the plant.
3. Plant the Succulent in Well-draining Soil
The plant can rot, and watering may not be the cause. Your watering behavior might be perfect; the proper amount of water is given at the right frequency. But have you checked on the type of soil your succulent is in?
If you’ve done everything correctly, check on the quality of the soil. Plant Strings of bananas flourish in a well-draining soil that does not hold water for long. Succulent soil or cactus soil is the best soil. Sometimes garden soil with sand soil rather than clay helps improve drainage.
Well-draining soil only drains appropriately in a pot with an adequate drainage hole. Draining soil ensures the roots are not submerged for long in the water. A draining pot will ensure that the water is removed from the jar. Proper draining pot like the terracotta pot will help remove excess water from the pot.
4. Water the Plant when the Soil Feels Dry
The bananas’ watering strings should only be done when the soil feels dry upon touching, as it lacks moisture. Regular checkup of the plant is essential to ensure it does not go for long without water. When the soil feels dry, tested by dipping a finger into the ground, soak the soil properly with water. Soak the soil until excess water starts to drain from the bottom of the pot.
After soaking the soil, it should be dry before watering it. However, when the soil is left for long without water, the plant starts showing signs of thirst. Some of these signs include
- The plant leaves begin to wilt and wither because they use reserved water in the succulents.
- When the plant is left for a long without water, the plant starts to develop wrinkles on its foliage
- When String of bananas are deprived of water, they look limp and withered
- The foliage lose their plumpness and become flat, and feel soft
Remember, it is easier to treat underwatering than overwatering. This is because, with underwatering, you give your plant enough water.
5. Spring of Bananas is a Great Proponent of Bottom Watering
To ensure that the entire surface of the soil gets wet, the String of bananas requires bottom watering. Bottom watering ensures that the soil remains moist consistently, allowing the plant to absorb water properly at any time. In addition, bottom watering prevents the plant from overwatering, providing the plant gets just enough water. Therefore, bottom watering is beneficial to the plant and you as a gardener.
If you have less time to attend to your String of banana gardens, bottom watering ensures the plant remains safe. You save time but still ensure your spring of bananas remains healthy. Always ensure your succulent plant is in a pot with at least a single drainage pot. If necessary re-pot to enjoy maximum bottom watering benefits.
Ensure the following factors are met before bottom watering:
Light
During the spring or the summer season, keep your plant in a brightly lit spot. Spring of bananas requires direct sunlight only for two hours to ensure maximum growth. Excess exposure of the plant to direct sunlight negatively affects the plant, causing sun scorch. Bottom watering works perfectly in the summer because the light is balanced appropriately.
Fertilization
For a string of bananas, it is recommended that you fertilize the plant every two months during their growing period. The most appropriate time to apply the fertilizer is during the active growing seasons. Fertilizing in winter may lead to the plant burning.
Though a regular house plant fertilizer can work well, a specified labeled feed for the banana spring can work better. Fertilizer should be in liquid form for easier absorption and prevent the burning of the crop. Only water the plant a few days after applying fertilizer.
Temperature
The ideal temperature range for a growing string of bananas is 210C-2700C. This means that the average room temperatures suitable for this dangling plant to grow require medium watering. Ensure to keep the String of bananas from extreme temperatures, such as too much cold or heat.
6. There is No Universal Schedule
Get me right that there is no universal schedule proven or recommended to water your springs of banana. Watering this succulent depends on many reasons that vary from place to place. Study the environment of this plant to help determine how often to water the plant. The succulent must survive.
In places with too much sunlight, the evaporation rate is high due to high temperatures. Therefore, the plant needs frequent watering. Conversely, the soil is moist in areas where the plant receives less sunlight, thus less watering. The focus should be on understanding when the plant needs less or more water.
7. Water Strings of Banana Early in the Morning
Like most succulents, the best time to water this plant is early in the morning before the sun sets in. Morning hours are cool, and the light’s temperatures are less intense. Watering in the morning gives the plant enough time to absorb the water and prepare for the day. Watering during the morning hour also ensures that water does not evaporate from the soil.
The soil is moist enough to allow the roots to absorb water supplied to other parts of the plant. When you water during the daytime, it evaporates the pot before the roots absorb it. The location of your plant will also determine how often to water the plant. For example, a plant growing near a window with much light needs more water than one placed in a relatively dark area. The rule involved is checking the soil first before watering your plant. Use your finger to establish the soil condition and moisture level.
8. Watering works well when the String of Bananas are Pruned
Pruning is of great importance to the String of bananas. Pruning the dangly stems helps control their length while still promoting more growth. In addition, both mulching and pruning are effective measures to improve the soil water evaporation of the plant and plant transpiration rate. When pruning the String of bananas, you can snip off the banana strands halfway down their length.
Bottom Line
Strings of bananas are easy-hanging succulents to grow indoors. However, some conditions can affect the well-being of the plant. One of the problems with why the plant starts to die is overwatering. Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight or waterlogged soil.
Checking out the water requirements of bananas’ stings helps solve more than half of the trouble the plant experiences. Although these plants tolerate the drought conditions, they need some water to survive. So the best thing to do is, learn the rules often and apply them to the plant correctly. It will never disappoint.
Last update on 2023-12-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
