Bananas.org - View Single Post - Growing Praying Hands Bananas in Central California – Zone 9

Velutina · 08-12-2009, 01:03 AM

It gets very cold where my greenhouse is (occasionally into the single digits). When growing bananas, it did require supplemental heating. I used a 20,000 BTU heater. For the last two years the greenhouse has been unheated and plants that only grow in zone 9 have survived. I would estimate that the greenhouse stays 15-20 degrees warmer than outside.

Several years ago, I had a saltwater aquarium system in the greenhouse which was over 400 gallons. A winter night after a sunny day required little or no supplemental heating. The greenhouse would remain 30-40 degrees warmer than outside. I think the key here was a large volume of water WITH lots of water circulation so the heat was absorbed fast and released fast. The greenhouse was also insulated VERY well at the time (covered the whole thing in thick bubble wrap and 5mil plastic)!

08-12-2009, 01:03 AM	#22 (permalink)
Velutina Location: Miami Zone: 10b Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 276 BananaBucks : 49,014 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 100 Times Was Thanked 345 Times in 144 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Growing Praying Hands Bananas in Central California – Zone 9 – Walipini project It gets very cold where my greenhouse is (occasionally into the single digits). When growing bananas, it did require supplemental heating. I used a 20,000 BTU heater. For the last two years the greenhouse has been unheated and plants that only grow in zone 9 have survived. I would estimate that the greenhouse stays 15-20 degrees warmer than outside. Several years ago, I had a saltwater aquarium system in the greenhouse which was over 400 gallons. A winter night after a sunny day required little or no supplemental heating. The greenhouse would remain 30-40 degrees warmer than outside. I think the key here was a large volume of water WITH lots of water circulation so the heat was absorbed fast and released fast. The greenhouse was also insulated VERY well at the time (covered the whole thing in thick bubble wrap and 5mil plastic)! __________________ Adam Last edited by Velutina : 08-12-2009 at 01:12 AM.