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LilRaverBoi · 08-27-2013, 09:52 PM

Bordelon is ornamental and has seeded bananas....not what you want.

As far as the humidity goes, I live in Iowa and it's pretty hot/humid here during the summer. There are worse places as far as both heat and humidity goes, but if you are used to dry heat, humid heat is MUCH different and more oppressive.

Now, about the bananas. I would say you have about zero chance of overwintering anything outdoors that produces edible bananas in zone 5. So your next options are growing in pots or growing outdoors in the ground during summer, and overwintering indoors during the winter. I've been overwintering indoors for years and it can be difficult depending on what you have for windows in your indoor growing space (south windows are best). Some varieties do not tolerate this well either (my super dwarf cavendish has been notorious for always restarting from pups every winter which eliminates the possibility of fruit). Pests like spider mites can also be a big issue during the winter.

My advice would be to try dwarf varieties that tolerate overwintering indoors. A few that I've found to work for me are namwah, dwarf brazilian and praying hands. As stated previously, I've had poor results with super dwarf cavendish. I've heard orinoco overwinters well also. Maybe look into dormant overwintering if you don't have much space inside.

Basically, to achieve edible fruit in your zone requires a bit of work and a lot of luck. I really wouldn't get your hopes too high. I've never gotten a bloom yet and I've been at this for some time in zone 5. Don't let that completely crush your dreams....keep working toward it, but maybe focus on being able to keep them alive over the winter first.

08-27-2013, 09:52 PM	#9 (permalink)
LilRaverBoi Nanner Time! LilRaverBoi's Photo Gallery Location: Cedar Rapids, IA Find me on the map! Zone: 5 Name: Bryan Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 2,937 BananaBucks : 126,183 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 534 Times Was Thanked 2,243 Times in 1,245 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 855 Times	Re: Colorado Bananas? Bordelon is ornamental and has seeded bananas....not what you want. As far as the humidity goes, I live in Iowa and it's pretty hot/humid here during the summer. There are worse places as far as both heat and humidity goes, but if you are used to dry heat, humid heat is MUCH different and more oppressive. Now, about the bananas. I would say you have about zero chance of overwintering anything outdoors that produces edible bananas in zone 5. So your next options are growing in pots or growing outdoors in the ground during summer, and overwintering indoors during the winter. I've been overwintering indoors for years and it can be difficult depending on what you have for windows in your indoor growing space (south windows are best). Some varieties do not tolerate this well either (my super dwarf cavendish has been notorious for always restarting from pups every winter which eliminates the possibility of fruit). Pests like spider mites can also be a big issue during the winter. My advice would be to try dwarf varieties that tolerate overwintering indoors. A few that I've found to work for me are namwah, dwarf brazilian and praying hands. As stated previously, I've had poor results with super dwarf cavendish. I've heard orinoco overwinters well also. Maybe look into dormant overwintering if you don't have much space inside. Basically, to achieve edible fruit in your zone requires a bit of work and a lot of luck. I really wouldn't get your hopes too high. I've never gotten a bloom yet and I've been at this for some time in zone 5. Don't let that completely crush your dreams....keep working toward it, but maybe focus on being able to keep them alive over the winter first. __________________ BANANA RAVE! Feel the beat from start to stop, dancin' and movin' from bottom to top! lilraverboi@genxglow.com RIP Tog Tan. We love you and will always remember you! I'm Bryan with a Y! There is no 'I' in BRYAN!