Trachycarpus fortunei beside Bananas

Alchris · Post by **Alchris** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 7:11 am

I am planning to plant T. fortunei beside a couple of bananas, M.velutina &/or M. Helen's hybrid. They will be against the house and each will have a 4' x 4' area. If I fertilize the bananas heavily with manure and epson salts will this adversely affect the trachys? I will be insulating around the planting area with styrofoam and could put a layer of styrofoam between the trachys and the bananas.

The Trachys are 2yrs old from seed and the bananas will be 1 yr old or seedlings. I don't want to start serious zone denial by killing the Trachys.

Allen

Kansas · Post by **Kansas** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 7:20 am

Can't say as far as Epsom salt, but last summer, I put about an inch of 3 year old cow manure on my Fortunei and it LOVED LOVED it. I prefer natural fertilizer than the store bought thou.

Laaz · Post by **Laaz** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 8:55 am

Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) will help green up your Trachy's. I use it on all my plants (and lawn) about 2-3 times a year. It's cheap at about $2 a bag.

Wes North Van · Post by **Wes North Van** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 10:50 am

I use epsom salts in the spring on my trachies. Like Laaz said it will green them up.
Trachies love manure as do bananas

turtile · Post by **turtile** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 1:16 pm

If you give the Fortunei Epsom Salts in late summer and fall, it will improve their hardiness.