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While production costs are higher than traditional outdoor plantations , consumers may be willing to pay for spray- free , locally produced fruit that has not been shipped large distances to markets .”
Advantages of Soilless Bananas
Hydroponic production of bananas , particularly in greenhouses , could have some major advantages — the main objective is prevention of plant losses and the heavy use of agrochemicals to control fungal pathogens . Yields are increased within a protected climate and with optimal application of water and nutrients . While production costs are higher than traditional outdoor plantations , consumers may be willing to pay for sprayfree , locally produced fruit that has not been shipped large distances to markets . There are also several other sweet-fruited banana cultivars that may appeal to local markets and result in less reliance on the Cavendish variety .
Growing Hydroponic Bananas
One of the main concerns with hydroponic banana production is the size of the mature plants . Cavendish is a tall variety and can grow in excess of 5-7 metres in height with a spread of two metres , however , a greenhouse banana industry would be better focused on growing the dwarf , smaller-fruited varieties such as Dwarf Cavendish , Grande Naine , Lady Finger , Orito , Williams , Poyo , Dwarf Red , or Dwarf Apple — many of these grow to between 2-3 metres tall . Grande Naine and Dwarf Cavendish are the most widely planted cultivars under greenhouse production and perform well in hydroponics as well as in soil-based systems . Hydroponic systems for bananas need to account for the heavy demand for both water and nutrients . Drip irrigation is most commonly used with daily water consumption of 10 litres per plant in winter and 20 litres per plant in summer being reported for greenhouse grown crops . Large tubs / pots with at least 60 centimetres depth or deep beds of a suitable growing substrate are recommended , both to provide sufficient volume for the large and extensive root system which develops , but to also provide plant stability as top-heavy plants can topple over when carrying a heavy fruit load . While dwarf cultivars are somewhat more compact than taller types , some form of staking or plant support may be required . Suitable substrates include coconut fibre , stonewool , perlite , and combinations of these .
Top : Hydroponic bananas bearing fruit . Bottom : Bananas can grow to six metres in height , however , dwarf varieties also exist .
The growing environment for bananas requires warm , humid conditions . The plants are frost sensitive and while cooler nights may not be too damaging , daytime temperatures should not fall below 16 ° C . Optimal temperatures are between 25-32 ° C , however , warmer conditions are tolerated provided sufficient water is supplied . Bananas are largely propagated from offshoots / suckers / pups , however , tissue cultured plantlets are another method that prevents disease carryover from one crop to the next . Banana plants are not trees , but are a tall , herbaceous , short-lived perennial monocot . The leaves are large and overlap which forms a type of thick trunk .
Maximum Yield 43