Bananas

[epops]

I dont know about the birds V Sid, but I have good results when burying the skins at the bottom of the hole when planting trees and bushes.think i read somewhere bannana shins are especially good for hydrangers dont no cause i hav'nt got any bannana skins or hyrangers

[Paul mabbott]

Originally Posted by Mr Mag00

yes from the shampoo and conditioners and sprays etc, yuck!

Quite so - there are many seriously toxic compounds in hair treatments (mainly for women?) and it is not recommended to put them into a "natural" system.

[Cotham Marble]

Originally Posted by snowdrop

I dont know about the birds V Sid, but I have good results when burying the skins at the bottom of the hole when planting trees and bushes. They're great for sunflowers too.
Also 'planting' the unwanted parts of a gutted fish, bones and all, can do wonders for plant growth. Oh, and when I visit the hardressers I take a bag with me for the unwanted hair sweepings. It seems they're full of nitrogen ( or some such gas/chemical ) which is essential to plant growth.

It is probably wise to exercise some caution over using uncomposted material in planting as there is the potential to introduce microbes usually confined to the upper soil into the areas adjacent to the root system where they may produce rot or other infection.

Certainly providing nutirients and soil conditioners in the planting hole of long lived and deep rooted plants is a good idea. Composted material is ideal because the microbial communities in it are largely in stasis; slow decaying water retentive material such has hair, vacuum cleaner waste or even torn up rags can be useful on light soils but should be used with caution on heavy soils where they may produce water logging and rot in adjacent roots. The fibrous nature of composted matter means that it can be used on heavy soils as a soil conditioner because it actually serves to open up the soil and promote drainage rather than causing water logging.

In all cases where non composted material is put into a planting hole it is best to ensure several centimetres of soil seperate the material from the basal roots.

CM

[Run rabbit]

We have a resident blackbird in our front hedge who loves bananas. My other half has taken to buying more than we need to ensure there is a spare one for him. He thinks I haven't noticed

Cheers
Jo

[vicious_sid]

Many thanks to all the replies, honourable mentions got to Paul Mabbot - I didn't know that bananas were freezable, Snowdrop - for the gardening tips, I hate Astraman for trying to ruin my new resolution (cake ) and Run rabbit for providing a witness statement

[Dutchess]

Bananas & Hydrangeas....hmm, yes! That's got something to do with the high amount of phosphrorus in the fruit. If you want blue blooms, increase the phosphorus in the soil...or is it if you want pink blooms ... I can't recall which way around it is, but I was told that is why some gardeners recommend them .

[m1.carson]

Hi duchess,

Blue blooms, plant them with something with copper in it.

Max.

[JeffH]

One of the bird seed mixes I buy has dried slices of banana in it and the Blackbirds are often to be seen carrying a slice off into the shrub border. Haven't seen any other birds eating it though.

Jeff

[juliejam]

Had a few banana's that had gone over which i put out yesterday chopped up...Within mins the Starlings came and took bits away...Ive even had the squirrels trying them..


Julie

[paulchandler6]

Have found that Starlings and Blackbirds are the only ones that eat bananas in the garden generally.
A few years back in a prolonged cold snap had Fieldfare, Song Thrush and a Mistle Thrush eating them as well. Have not noted any smaller species eating Bananas though.

Paul