Banana leaves would get burned by heavy Ammonia emission from this manure which is not properly decomposed... as a matter of fact we never use the manure which has smell... although many hardy plants survive the concentrated ammonia, but the benefits are far lower than the problems it causes...

Good answer Izhar. If it smells it is not composted.

For question two, I would rake away the mulch, apply the compost, and then rake back the mulch. Assuming you are using something like pine bark as a mulch. But even hay or pine needles can be raked away. :o)

I would take a shovel full and put it in a 5 gallon bucket and fill with water. Wait a couple of days. Then pour half into another bucket and fill with more water. Then pour on your plants.
I've done that with fresh horse manure when I had horses.

I've used horse manure on palms, tropical fruits and vegetables for the past two years. I've never had problems with horse manure, composted or uncomposted. Horse manure is free and plentiful here. I even spread it on the lawn. It smells for a few days but the smell soon disappears. Never had any problems with burning.

From the Rose Buds, I've heard much the same as palmcityfl says; Horse manure is a cold manure and does not burn whereas cow manure is hot and will burn.

Of course, I wouldn't want to test that theory and pile a huge amount in one place.

That's interesting to know horse manure is different then cow manure. I didn't know that, I mean they eat the same things don't they? Wonder why one would be hot and the other cold? ;o) Of course, I don't have access to either and have to buy a bag at a box store.

Well, cows have seven stomachs. Maybe the long traverse causes a different fermentation.

Very interesting, thanks. I agree, I wouldn't want to test it either. :o)

Many times I have taken a load from horse barns near St Pete. Mostly sawdust and I take what I can get. I have mulched any and everything with no problems and consider myself fortunate to get it. An hours work leaves me dirty and feeling good. I have heard that horse urine is high in Nitrogen. I put manure/sawdust and all on top of my gardens, banana trees, and all; and let it compost there. Very little smell and gone in a day or two.
theo

for what it's worth i use cow manure all the time, uncomposted, turned into the soil. i've planted tomatoes in pure, uncomposted cow manure. never had a problem.

Wow! Ok, you learn something new every day. That's why I love this site!:o)

Well, after reading the posts, I went ahead and mixed the horse manure into my banana beds, the smell immediately went away. Everything is looking good so far. Hopefully the bananas are plentiful this year (if it ever heats up)