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DebCA · 01-26-2007, 10:35 PM

We're in the process of planning our backyard which I'd like to have a tropical flavor. So far everything is just dirt, no hardscape yet. During this last cold snap, our temps got down to the 20s F. (our highs last summer were 110). I'm considering the M. basjoo because it is cold hardy but wondering how it will fare in our region. I'd prefer to leave the basjoo in ground over the winter and just protect it some way. I understand that rocks nearby (or walls) will give off heat at night and am wondering about adding lighting that during frost periods we could leave on near the frost tender plants. At most I guess we have about a week of nighttime temps below freezing in particularly cold years. Mostly we're in the 30-40s at night, with winter highs in the 40-60s, although last year we had one week of 80 F in February. Since we get very dry here during summer I'm also wondering about adding misters in the planting areas that have more subtropical needs. Does any of this sound practical?

A neighbor of mine over the fence has a few banana plants that were left by the previous owner of their home and the cold really did in the leaves which got frostbitten and are now curled and brown. It made me wonder, what's the best approach? For example, should I let the plant be during the fall and add protection around the base and then cut off any leaf/stalk damage after winter's passed OR should I cut the foliage down before winter while adding protection at the base. If you cut down the base, could you cover it with something like the cone covers they have for roses? (I've seen some posts where people mentioned hay and some fabric as a form of protection.)

BTW as you can probably tell, I'm new to all of this and this is my first backyard since I was a kid at home. I know how expensive landcaping can be so am trying to learn now before I plant. I should also mention that I intend the plant to be solely for foliage, not fruit (not even sure whether M. basjoo has fruit?). Thanks for any advice you can give.

01-26-2007, 10:35 PM	#1 (permalink)
DebCA Junior Member Location: CA Find me on the map! Zone: Zone 9a (Sunset 14) Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 25 BananaBucks : 20,196 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 0 Times Was Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	M. basjoo in Zone 9a (Sunset 14)? We're in the process of planning our backyard which I'd like to have a tropical flavor. So far everything is just dirt, no hardscape yet. During this last cold snap, our temps got down to the 20s F. (our highs last summer were 110). I'm considering the M. basjoo because it is cold hardy but wondering how it will fare in our region. I'd prefer to leave the basjoo in ground over the winter and just protect it some way. I understand that rocks nearby (or walls) will give off heat at night and am wondering about adding lighting that during frost periods we could leave on near the frost tender plants. At most I guess we have about a week of nighttime temps below freezing in particularly cold years. Mostly we're in the 30-40s at night, with winter highs in the 40-60s, although last year we had one week of 80 F in February. Since we get very dry here during summer I'm also wondering about adding misters in the planting areas that have more subtropical needs. Does any of this sound practical? A neighbor of mine over the fence has a few banana plants that were left by the previous owner of their home and the cold really did in the leaves which got frostbitten and are now curled and brown. It made me wonder, what's the best approach? For example, should I let the plant be during the fall and add protection around the base and then cut off any leaf/stalk damage after winter's passed OR should I cut the foliage down before winter while adding protection at the base. If you cut down the base, could you cover it with something like the cone covers they have for roses? (I've seen some posts where people mentioned hay and some fabric as a form of protection.) BTW as you can probably tell, I'm new to all of this and this is my first backyard since I was a kid at home. I know how expensive landcaping can be so am trying to learn now before I plant. I should also mention that I intend the plant to be solely for foliage, not fruit (not even sure whether M. basjoo has fruit?). Thanks for any advice you can give. Last edited by DebCA : 01-26-2007 at 10:43 PM. Reason: emphasis