Smoothie Kit for Sale - Buying & Growing Guide

Planting and Care

by John Haryasz | Horticulture Writer and Landscape Designer – last update on January 10, 2023

Planting instructions

Since the four plants in the smoothie kit thrive best in warm-weather climates, many gardeners throughout the United States will need to overwinter these plants. Fortunately, each of the smoothie kit plants is small enough to live in a container. It’s best to select a container that is significantly wider than the root ball of the plant that will go into it. The container should also have great drainage. It’s important for most of your smoothie kit plants to receive full sunlight each day or at least partial shade.

Watering and nutrients

It is safe to assume that you’ll need to water each plant in your smoothie kit often enough just after planting to maintain consistent soil moisture while the plants establish themselves. After establishment, the water needs of each plant will vary, but most will need water about twice per week to once every two weeks. The best way to give your plants the moisture they need is to study their individual needs. The same is true regarding fertilization. When in doubt, you can apply an all-purpose fertilizer or an organic soil amendment at least once per year.

Pollination

While understanding the water and fertilization needs of each plant in your smoothie kit will take some time, the pollination process is a bit more straightforward. Fortunately, all four of the plants in the kit are capable of developing fruits without the need for a companion pollinator plant. However, since you’ll likely need to grow these plants indoors for a significant portion of the year, where there are little to no natural pollinators, you should be ready to perform hand pollination for all plants but the dwarf cavendish, which produces its fruits without the need for pollination.

Pruning

The pruning needs of each smoothie kit plant will differ from one another. For instance, it’s best to prune your Hass Avocado during the early spring, while the Glenn Mango Tree responds best to post-harvest pruning. For your papaya tree, focus on removing shoots that appear at the base of the plant and don’t contribute to the overall structure. For your Dwarf Cavendish Banana Tree, you can remove whole leaves when they appear damaged or spent. After this plant produces fruits, you can cut its stalk to the ground so that a new fruit-bearing stalk can emerge.

Pests, diseases and animals

All four of the fruiting plants in the smoothie kit can be vulnerable to multiple pests and diseases. However, one benefit of growing these plants indoors for much of the year is that there will be fewer opportunities for insects to infest them. The best way to lessen the odds of pest and disease issues for your smoothie kit is to plant these plants in locations that meet their growing requirements. Following a proper maintenance routine and remaining vigilant for infections and infestations will also help keep your smoothie kit at its healthiest.

Harvesting

Each plant in the smoothie kit will have a unique harvest time. For the Dwarf Cavendish Banana Tree, it takes about 12 to 18 months for a banana bunch to form. The Hass Avocado Tree is typically ready for harvest anytime between mid-summer and late fall. The Glenn Mango Tree can also have a large harvest window that stretches from May to September. The papaya tree in your smoothie kit will also have a varying harvest that will take place at some point in summer or fall.

Achieving maximum results

Since each plant in your smoothie kit has requirements, it is important to study each one’s needs before you plant this kit. One of the most crucial factors during planting is size. Choose containers that are suited to your plants’ current sizes and capable of allowing the root systems of your plants to expand. Again, you should take time to learn the unique water and fertilization needs of each plant, as they can vary slightly from one another. Through enough preparation, you can ensure that each of these four plants lives a healthy and productive life.

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