Banana stage by stage: what to use in each month

Banana asks for different things at different stages. A single tonic rarely suits all of them, so Green Care Agro plans banana stage by stage. This guide follows the order the company recommends, from planting to the bunch.

Unless a product says otherwise, the Shakti range is used at 5 litres per acre, mixed in 200 litres of water, through drip. Match each product to the stage your plantation is in, not to the calendar: the right time varies with your area and the season you planted.

Month 1: roots and early growth

Crop Power is the first product in the programme. It supports early growth and a dark green leaf. Dose: 5 litres per acre through drip.

Month 2: dark green leaves and vigorous growth

Shakti Growth Plus supports overall growth and dark green leaves. Dose: 5 litres per acre in 200 litres of water, through drip or as a drench. The company says it can be used from about 30 days after planting.

The poga stage: the emerging shoot

Shakti Poga Special supports the proper emergence and development of the banana shoot (the poga), so that it comes out cleanly instead of tangling. Dose: 5 litres per acre through drip.

Months 3 to 6: a stronger stem

Shakti Bundha Special is the stem-strengthening step. It swells and strengthens the pseudostem and supports white-root growth, so the plant stands firm. Dose: 5 litres per acre in 200 litres of water, once a month from the 3rd to the 6th month of the crop. The start depends on your area and planting season.

Before the bunch: the banana heart

Calcium Plus promotes healthy development of the banana heart, helps the heart not to get stuck in the bunch, and is used to reduce fruit drop and cracking. Dose: 5 litres per acre through drip.

Shooting: even fruiting

Shakti Ven Special supports uniform, equal fruiting. The company’s field videos recommend two applications 15 days apart during the shooting stage. Dose: 5 litres per acre through drip.

When shooting reaches about 75%: bunch shape

Shakti Vadi Special lengthens the peduncle and increases the spacing between the hands of the bunch. The company’s videos recommend two applications 15 days apart once shooting reaches about 75%. Dose: 5 litres per acre through drip.

Bunch filling

For bunch size and fruit weight the programme includes Shakti Banana Sizer. Ask us for the dose and timing for your plot.

Add-ons when a problem shows up

These are used when you see the problem, not on a fixed month.

• Panama disease and rot. Shakti Panama Special helps control stem and root rot (Panama disease) and suppresses blight. Dose: 2 litres per acre through drip, once a month. In the company’s video the 2 litres are soaked with 2 kg of jaggery for 48 hours first, then mixed into 200 litres of water per acre.
• Leaf blight. Shine helps regulate blight. Dose: 2.5 ml per litre as a foliar spray, before or after blight appears.
• Sucking pests. Vedh controls whitefly, aphids and other sucking pests: 2.5 ml per litre as a foliar spray.
• CMV virus. V-Control: 2.5 ml per litre as a foliar spray at the first sign of infection.
• Cold weather. Shakti Chilling Special is used before or after chilling shows up. Ask us for the dose.

How to use this programme

1. Check which stage your plantation is in right now.
2. Take the product for that stage and the dose above.
3. Keep a note of the dates so the next step is on time.
4. If your planting date, area or season is unusual, message us the planting date and we will tell you where you are in the programme.

Duplicate products are sold under look-alike names. Take only the product that carries the Green Care Agro logo and ask for a GST bill.