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Old 05-21-2014, 10:11 PM   #3 (permalink)
Richard
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Location: Vista, CA
Zone: USDA 10b
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Default Re: Getting Started in San Jose

The "blue java" will probably turn out to be Dwarf Namwa, which tastes better anyway when grown in your climate.

You'll need to think about winter protection before placing your plants. They can handle brief (1-3 hours) of temperatures between 30F and 35F and do very well if for the winter the soil above the corm has been piled high (18+ inches) with coarse peat, coarse bark (2 in. diameter) or hay. Adventures below 30F should also be very brief and occur at most 2-3 times per winter. The leaves -- well, they are most likely to look bad during and after the winter but unless there is fruit on the plant some new champion leaves will come out in the spring.

If you do decide to have one or more pots with naners: For the winter, those pots cannot be sitting on concrete (a heat sink). A half-bale of hay would be about right, or even an unopened bag of peat moss. Now you need to surround the pot with more insulation like discussed above and then above the pot as well. So if you can spare a couple of 4'x4' areas in the ground, then the extra work of a pot during the winter can be avoided.

Taking them inside for the winter is a whole other can of worms. I recommend in your climate you don't even go there.

Best wishes on your new endeavor. By the way, there is no cure for the human disease of growing bananas.
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