Grand Nain 'Naine' Banana Tree for Sale - Buying & Growing Guide

Planting and Care

by John Haryasz | Horticulture Writer and Landscape Designer – last update on September 29, 2022

Planting instructions

Although the Grand Nain Banana Tree can survive in partial shade conditions, it is far more advantageous to plant this species in an area of full sunlight, about six hours of light or more per day. Full sunlight, ideally accompanied by some degree of afternoon shade, promotes the healthiest growth and fruit production. If you are among the many gardeners who will plant their Grand Nain Banana Tree in a container, ensure that the container has excellent drainage and holds loose soil.

Watering and nutrients

A newly planted Grand Nain Banana Tree will need water once per day. After establishment, this plant will perform best when it receives water about once per week during most of the growing season, increasing that rate to two or three times per week in the case of extreme heat. Grand Nain Banana trees also have high fertilizer needs. Typically, it is best to feed this plant a balanced fertilizer once per month during the growing season.

Pollination

Grand Nain Banana trees are unlike other fruit-bearing trees because they do not require any pollination to produce fruit. These plants, like other banana plants, have unique flowers that grow into bananas on their own. As such, you won’t need to worry about pollinating your Grand Nain Banana Tree if you are seeking a harvest. If anything, you should aim to prevent pollination, as pollinated bananas tend to have larger seeds and smaller amounts of edible flesh.

Pruning

After a Grand Nain Banana Tree produces a harvestable bunch of bananas, it will not produce another one. If you want your plant to produce additional bananas, you will need to cut down its stalk after your harvest. Cutting the stalk to just above the soil will prompt the plant to produce a new stalk via suckering. Continue following the standard care routine for your Grand Nain Banana Tree, and in a matter of months, the new stalk will produce another banana bunch for you to enjoy.

Pests, diseases and animals

Most banana trees will be vulnerable to several diseases, including root rot, powdery mildew, leaf spot and more. However, the Grand Nain Banana Tree has excellent resistance to these diseases compared to its banana tree relatives. Pests remain a more likely threat to a Grand Nain Banana Tree. Some of the most common infestation-causing insects are aphids, nematodes, thrips and black weevils. Occasionally, mealybugs and spider mites may attack your Grand Nain Banana Tree as well.

Harvesting

One of the most amazing benefits of the Grand Nain Banana Tree is that this banana variety is known to be one of the fastest-producing varieties in existence. It takes less than a year for a new Grand Nain Banana Tree to produce fruits. At times, this period can be as short as nine months. When it comes time to harvest, it is best to cut off the entire bunch of bananas rather than remove bananas individually.

Achieving maximum results

The Grand Nain Banana Tree is hardy down to 30 degrees Fahrenheit, which means that most gardeners throughout the United States will need to bring this plant indoors for a significant portion of the year. The need for overwintering north of zone nine is part of the reason it is so common to grow this plant in a container. But, despite commonly growing as a container plant, the Grand Nain Banana Tree can grow to a height of eight feet tall, meaning that it can need a considerable amount of space whether it grows indoors or out.

Compare Similar Products