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bananimal · 10-25-2011, 12:08 AM

Charles,

Can't comment on the insulation/heating method.

However -------- what you select to protect is very important.

I would not bother with pstems that are 60 to 70% close to fruiting size.

The pstem has to be young enough to produce at least 10 or so leaves to support fruit development next year. Having a naner pop 4 leaves next year, and then the flower, won't work. And keeping the big guy will inhibit the biggest pup from taking over quickly.

What I do - if a frost is sure to come -- I cover up the biggest 2 pups and leave the pstem intact. Remove some of the pups older leaves and pull the rest together secured with Home Despot green velcro tape. The outer leaves will still get fried but they protect the cigar leaf. Frost protection cloth top to bottom secured with black binder clips from Office Despot.

When danger of frost is over I cut down the big frost bitten pstem and unwrap next years take over pups. For me that is late Feb. I'm starting to get more fruit now this year.

Dan

10-25-2011, 12:08 AM	#5 (permalink)
bananimal Member bananimal's Photo Gallery Location: Port St Lucie, Fla Find me on the map! Zone: 10a Name: Dan Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 2,512 BananaBucks : 719,683 Feedback: 12 / 100% Said "Thanks" 4,688 Times Was Thanked 4,979 Times in 1,509 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 191 Times	Re: NEW (to me) Winter protection plan Charles, Can't comment on the insulation/heating method. However -------- what you select to protect is very important. I would not bother with pstems that are 60 to 70% close to fruiting size. The pstem has to be young enough to produce at least 10 or so leaves to support fruit development next year. Having a naner pop 4 leaves next year, and then the flower, won't work. And keeping the big guy will inhibit the biggest pup from taking over quickly. What I do - if a frost is sure to come -- I cover up the biggest 2 pups and leave the pstem intact. Remove some of the pups older leaves and pull the rest together secured with Home Despot green velcro tape. The outer leaves will still get fried but they protect the cigar leaf. Frost protection cloth top to bottom secured with black binder clips from Office Despot. When danger of frost is over I cut down the big frost bitten pstem and unwrap next years take over pups. For me that is late Feb. I'm starting to get more fruit now this year. Dan Last edited by bananimal : 10-26-2011 at 09:00 AM.