Plantains can be planted throughout the rainy season. However, they should grow vigorously and without water stress during the first 3 to 4 months after planting. Therefore they should not be planted during the last months of the rainy season.
What is the best month to plant plantain?
For the upland, the best planting season is May to September. That’s as soon as rain sets in and before try season sets in. Within this period the plantain sockers would be able to germinate, establish roots to withstand dry season. Plantain is a water loving crop and should be planted at the peak of the rains.
How do you start a plantain plant?
Initial plantain plant care requires well-draining soil, regular watering, and protection from wind or frost. Choose a sunny, warm area of your garden and dig a hole that is as deep as the root ball. Plant the plantain at the same level it was growing in the pot. Keep the plantain 4-6 feet (1-2 m.)
How long does it take to grow a plantain tree?
This plant grows from an underground rhizome reaching 12 to 15 feet tall with huge leaves, which wrap around the trunk. To obtain fruit, this tree needs 10 to 15 months without freezing temperatures to produce flowers and another four to eight months to grow plantains, according to California Rare Fruit Growers.
Do plantains need full sun?
Cultivation of Plantain in Gardens
Plantain herb growing requires very little effort, as the plant grows across the country in USDA plant hardiness zones 3 through 9. Plantain herb grows in full sun or partial shade and nearly any soil, including sandy or rocky soil.
How many times does plantain produce in a year?
Each grown up plant would produce a minimum of three suckers, and if he could harvest one sucker from each and could sell at N100, the farmer would make additional N150,000. The harvest cycles continue for a minimum of four to six years, or more, depending on land rejuvenation system and farm maintenance practices.
How do you prepare soil for plantains?
Prepare your Land: Plantain does best in loamy soil which is prevalent in Edo, Delta, Cross River, Ekiti and Ogun States. These soils contain a good organic to inorganic ratio with organic materials like decaying plants and animals. Prepare the land by clearing the land off bushes, stones, trees and stumps.
How do you multiply plantains?
- Parring of plantain suckers. This is done to remove outer tissues like root.
- NOTE: Overheating kill the sucker. Apply heat treatment to parred plantain suckers before planting Split parred suckers according to the size of the corm.
- Remove epical meristem from the setts. That is where the sprouting will take place.
Do plantains grow up or down?
They are a hybrid of two species of banana: Musa acuminata and Musa balbisiana. Climbing up to 12 to 15 feet tall, the plantain tree is known for ornamental beauty, even without the fruit.
Is plantain annual or perennial?
perennial weeds
Plantains are perennial weeds. They have a shallow, thick taproot that keeps them alive over the winter. They sprout in mid-spring, then send up a flower stalk in early to mid-summer. The flower blooms and its seeds are dispersed by the wind, thus spreading the plant quickly in your yard and garden.
How do you know when a plantain is mature?
A ripe plantain is best when it’s mostly black with a little yellow, and still slightly firm to the touch, like when you squeeze a peach. Although completely black plantains are still good to eat, they are a little too soft, making them difficult to prepare.
What is the spacing for planting plantain?
The recommended spacing for planting plantain is 3m between the plantain rows and 2 m within the row (in other words = 3 m x 2 m). An alternative is 2.5 m x 2.5 m. If spaced 3 m x 2 m, 1 hectare should contain 1667 plants, but with a spacing of 2.5 m x 2.5 m, it should contain 1600 plants.
How many plantain can I plant per acre?
Plant density: For plantains use 1,000 to 1,200 plants per acre with planted distances of 6´x 6´ or 6´x 7´ for the mountainous zone, and 10´x 4´ for the coastal plains.
Where does plantain grow best?
Pretty much anywhere is fine. This perennial will grow in full sun or part shade, in virtually any soil type. It may be grown from seed or transplants.
How tall do plantain grow?
Most varieties are 3–10 metres (10–33 feet) tall and have a conical false “trunk” formed by the leaf sheaths of long spirally arranged leaves.
What crop can be planted with plantain?
Intercropping of plantains with food crops : maize, cassava and cocoyams.
How much does it cost to start a plantain plantation?
Investment Returns
| INVESTMENT PACKAGE | INITIAL INVESTMENT | RETURN ON INVESTMENT (Calculated on your net profit) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 HECTARE PLANTAIN PLANTATION | 2,376,482.00 | 35% |
| 1 ACRE PLANTAIN PLANTATION | 1,092,368.20 | 29% |
How much do plantain farmers make?
5 billion annually. However, millions of naira is being generated through plantain farming as individual farmers, both young and old, are making nothing less than N2 million to N3 million and above annually depending on the plantain suckers planted, hectares of land and how the farm is being managed.
Which soil is best for plantain?
Loamy soils
The best type of soil for plantain is loam. Loamy soils are the best producing soils for plantain farming because they contain a large percentage of organic components, compared to the inorganic parts. Organic materials, such as decaying plants and insects, provide soil with air, nutrients and water-retaining matter.
Can plantain grow in a sandy soil?
All you need is loamy soil, constant irrigation and drainage and regular manure to improve the nutrient quality of the soil.
How do you transplant a plantain tree?
Transplanting Banana Plant Pups
Don’t plant too deeply; ideally, the pup should be planted at the same depth it was growing while still attached to the parent plant. If you’re planting more than one pup, allow at least 2 to 3 feet (61-91 cm.) between each one.
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