View Full Version : Hello from a newbie in Texas
Pam in Texas
10-20-2009, 09:54 AM
Hi all,
I am really new to growing bananas, but not new to general gardening. I had a question regarding the overwintering of small banana plants. I am in Texas, zone 7b and it gets pretty chilly in the winter months. I have 4 new musas that I plan to group in a really large (25 gallon) pot for the purpose of keeping them going for the winter only (about 90 days). We are planning a garden space where they will be planted in spring. The person that I got the musas from told me that I need to keep them growing over the winter because they are new pups and some are not winter hardy here. In my area, bananas left outside don't really start breaking ground until June or July and I'd like to get a jump on that too. The varieties are Little Prince, Thai Gold, Goldfinger and Musa Rojo.
Is this a bad idea? :ha:
Richard
10-20-2009, 10:14 AM
Welcome!
:woohoonaner:
I would put them each in a 25 gallon pot.
Jananas Bananas
10-20-2009, 10:16 AM
I agree with that. Pot them individually, even if they are tiny. :)
cherokee_greg
10-20-2009, 10:33 AM
welcome
CValentine
10-20-2009, 12:58 PM
Welcome Pam!!
I am in Central Texas, Zone 8a!!!
Bananas are NEVER a bad idea...wishing you success!!
Pictures please!! AND post often!! :) ~Cheryl
Dalmatiansoap
10-20-2009, 01:13 PM
Haha, no bad ideas when it gets to bananas:ha:
Welcome from Croatia
:woohoonaner:
Welcome aboard, Pam :) ! Sounds like a super idea! When grown indoors over the winter, I believe watering & fertilizing should be minimal. That's because most bananas grow much slower during the winter. If anyone else has info on this, please join in.
If ya have any questions about using the forum, just ask.
Have Fun!
Jack Daw
10-20-2009, 03:27 PM
Now I really had to take a microscope to read your first post. :D Too small letters for me.
Welcome to the site btw.
Now I really had to take a microscope to read your first post. :D Too small letters for me.
Welcome to the site btw.
I'll keep that in mind if I ever send you a letter :). I write smaller than that!
LilRaverBoi
10-20-2009, 05:38 PM
Welcome to the site! You'll enjoy it here and hopefully learn a lot about bananas! I agree with Jananas...pot them separately. Having such a large pot for three plants is going to lead for competition of resources (water, nutrients, sun) and will also end up with a HUGE mess of tangled roots you'll have to sort out in the spring which will be hard on you AND the plants. You'd probably be fine in 7 gallon pots for pups for that time period.
Now I really had to take a microscope to read your first post. Too small letters for me.
I think you want to use a magnifying glass....unless you can fit your computer on the stage of your microscope :ha: Come to me in a few years and I can fit you with some nice bifocals with a good correction for near work! LOL.
Abnshrek
10-20-2009, 07:48 PM
Welcome.. I second lilraverboi (Bryon's) testiment on the tangled roots. Depending on the height of your plants I'd say you could use 15 gal for the banana's. A 29-30 gallon pot is pretty huge. If you have a good temp (65-75F) environment that size pot isn't going to restrict growth in any way shape or form over the winter. Just have light. :^)
stumpy4700
10-20-2009, 08:43 PM
Welcome, When you say your bringing them inside are you bringing them in the house in front of a southern window or do you mean in the garage? The advise is a lil different if in the garage than it will be in the house.
Pam in Texas
10-21-2009, 07:10 AM
Thanks for the warm welcome and answers. Where is that embarrassed banana? I'll put my reading glasses on and keep the text smaller. :ha:
I meant that I plan to bring them in the house which we keep at a pretty comfy 68-72 through the winter. I have a space under a skylight that I could place a large pot, but a tangled mess of roots does not sound like springtime fun :ha:
From the great feedback, it looks like I'm going back to the drawing board and figuring out where to store all those pots. My enabling friend sent me home yesterday with another banana. I'm off to read your advice on dormant winter storage vs keeping them in pots and in active growth. I have a lot to learn, but this looks like a wonderful place to get educated :ha:
Thanks again for the very warm welcome and the great advice! :woohoonaner:
Youngbb
10-21-2009, 11:20 AM
Welcome Pam!
Jananas Bananas
10-21-2009, 11:59 AM
My enabling friend sent me home yesterday with another banana. :woohoonaner:
Aren't enabling friends GREAT!!!????!!!!! HA! HA!
We've got you now! :goteam:
~JaNan
Bananaman88
10-21-2009, 12:02 PM
Welcome from Houston, TX! I'd keep them in individual pots and try to keep them on the dry side. Even at 68-72 they shouldn't require much water. Just keep an eye out for spider mites on the undersides of the leaves. Spider mite populations can build up quickly once your plants are inside. I'd recommend spraying your plants off very well with water before bringing them inside to hopefully blast off any hitchhikers.. You may want to spray them with some insecticidal soap or orange oil as well after the water spray.
Pam in Texas
10-22-2009, 06:25 AM
I'll be watching for spider mites and do plan on a good cleanup before they come inside the house. Thanks for the tips!
JaNan, enabling friends are the best :bananas_b
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