Annie6078

This is only my 2nd year growing bananas & have SO much to learn. Last year, I brought in a dwarf cavendish, ornata & velutina to overwinter as houseplants. One "mom" & pups of the other two varieties survived.

My beautiful Dwarf Cavendish died about Feb/Mar indoors. The pup survived, was planted in the groud outdoors in late May, is about 8' tall & still growing. I don't want to lose another large one over winter, as I am dying to have a chance at bananas.

I need to learn about using grow lights (which kind - there are SO many), how much light to use to overwinter (I don't care if they don't GROW, just not die). The Cavendish is so huge, it will be difficult (by I will try) to bring indoors for a pot.

However, I keep reading abut cutting off all leaves but center, bringing into the basement & letting go dormant. I'm a bit terrified of this, as I have never tried & info varies widely. I'm happy to try with one of my velutinas, as I have many, so losing one won't be the end of the world. I'm just terrified to try something new with one I desperately want to survive, but at the same time, I lost the Cavendish indoors last year by that method.

The Cavendish's 4 pups are VERY small -- largest one is 6-7" tall. Do I take any off now and try to get growing in the last 1-2 mos. of growing season, leave them on "mom", overwinter her & attached pups as houseplant, trim/bring indoors & let go dorman, and will tiny pups survive on mom if using the "dormant basement" method?

Please help! The season is really winding down & I'm at a total loss with so many schools of thought & my meager experience. I am thoroughly hooked on bananas, got my first ornamental bloom this year & now am am avid to get the Cavendish to survive & fruit next year. I would be SO grateful to anyone that might be able to offer me advice on what I should do. Thank you SO much in advance.