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View Full Version : Overwintering Siam Ruby


austinl01
10-23-2009, 12:25 PM
Randy has been kind enough to send me one of his Siam Rubies. I've never grown this kind of banana before and would like some information on how to overwinter it. I know this is a fairly new plant to us so any overwintering advice would be greatly appreciated by growers in colder climates. Thanks in advance.

Bananaman88
10-23-2009, 12:33 PM
I overwintered mine in a pot two years ago. I just kept in on the dry side to try to reduce how much it grew. Temps were kept around 70-72 degrees. I had a minor issue or two with spider mites but other than that it was fine.

I think Pete overwintered some in the ground in Louisiana but I seriously doubt that would be an option for you.

LilRaverBoi
10-23-2009, 02:24 PM
Yeah, mine is inside in a pot...not sure how cold hardy they are (though I doubt it'd survive here in zone 6). Mine also got spider mites recently...guess maybe they're more susceptible than others cause it was the only plant I had that really had any significant infestation. I think I have em at bay now, though.

I guess see if anyone else has experience with overwintering, otherwise, just fare on the safe side and bring it in.

cherokee_greg
10-23-2009, 02:28 PM
Has any zone 9ers left the Siam Ruby out all winter ? If so how did it do ?
I wounder if they would servive in a covered patio ?

stumpy4700
10-23-2009, 10:30 PM
Inside in a pot with lots of spidermites all winter long...But it survives..

LilRaverBoi
10-24-2009, 12:22 AM
Are SR more prone to spider mites than other naners? Cause none of my other plants seem too affected except the SR. I think I've got it under control now, but I kinda think they are more susceptible than others for some reason. Ideas?

My thoughts are the thin leaves and the way they fold downward....which creates a nice hiding place for SMs. Again....ideas? Discussion?

stumpy4700
10-24-2009, 12:56 PM
They might just be easier to see with the red leaves.

mushtaq86
10-24-2009, 05:06 PM
The Siam ruby does not take to cold very well at all,it makes dwarf cav look like musa basjoo compared to it:goteam::goteam::goteam:i thought it was me who just got a lot of red spider mite on it,but it looks like every one has the same problem,strange with the leaves been red you would think the red spider mite would camouflage.

austinl01
10-24-2009, 08:21 PM
I just received my first Siam Ruby in the mail from Randy in Tennessee! It has about 3 feet of trunk already with nice roots. The plant is an awesome one to start with!

If anyone wants a nice sized Siam Ruby, now is the time to get one. I plan on overwintering it indoors in a pot. Next year this plant will be a huge red monster! :) Thanks again, Randy!!!

[Sale] Musa 'Siam Ruby' - Bananas.org (http://www.bananas.org/classifieds/viewad-479.html)

Pictures of Divisions (http://www.bananas.org/classifieds/viewad-477.html)

stumpy4700
10-24-2009, 09:27 PM
The Siam ruby does not take to cold very well at all,it makes dwarf cav look like musa basjoo compared to it:goteam::goteam::goteam:i thought it was me who just got a lot of red spider mite on it,but it looks like every one has the same problem,strange with the leaves been red you would think the red spider mite would camouflage.

All my spider mites are white.

LilRaverBoi
10-24-2009, 10:35 PM
All my spider mites are white.

Yeah, that's what I was thinking. I looked it up and Wikipedia shows them as red too....but mine are (or rather...WERE) white.

Bob
10-25-2009, 01:16 AM
To add to the record the NJ variety are white as well, even though I hosed my plants off before bringing them in they are back in full force already.....and it's not even Halloween yet! Guess I'll be going to Agway for soap tommorow.

damaclese
10-25-2009, 07:32 AM
I Keep my Siam Ruby in side for the winter i always spray for mites before i bring them in i do this at 5 day intervals for 3 cycles then i bring them in here in the desert mites are a madger problem the are hard to get rid of sop is not an option i must use insecticide a two times the recommended rate because at normal strength they will not be controlled then i respray in Jan. they always come back

i Keep the plant in as hot a part of the house as possible i try to go for a place were the day time temps are in the 80s which is not hard for me its extremal sunny here even in the winter time the plants do vary well and grow just about as fast as they do here in the summer

As well as my Siam Ruby grows its never put out a pup for me which i think is odd as every else seams to have pups coming out there ears my avatar is a picture of my plant clearly its healthy go figure!

cherokee_greg
01-13-2010, 09:59 AM
I have my Siam Ruby in the house all the new leaves are green now. It was a nice red when it was outside.
Greg

saltydad
01-13-2010, 01:17 PM
I have my Siam Ruby in the house all the new leaves are green now. It was a nice red when it was outside.
Greg

That's normal. It will color up nicely when it gets outside and with more sun. Reminder, slowly acclimate when going back out into the sun.

cherokee_greg
01-13-2010, 01:21 PM
That's normal. It will color up nicely when it gets outside and with more sun. Reminder, slowly acclimate when going back out into the sun.

Thanks allot. It looks fine just green. I figured it would be ok. Thanks allot

cherokee_greg
04-28-2010, 09:01 AM
Well my Siam Ruby is almost ready to go back outside it did well over the winter inside

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=31148&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=31148&ppuser=5959)

cherokee_greg
05-26-2010, 12:07 PM
Its been outside for about two weeks now still looks good

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=32021&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=32021&ppuser=5959)

coast crab
05-27-2010, 09:46 AM
I don't know if this info will help anyone or not - but here goes...

I bought my Siam ruby in the spring of 2008, and it came back up just fine in the ground for 2009 and was beautiful all summer. Last winter was really cold and wet and by the first part of May I still saw no signs of it. I went ahead bought another when I had the chance and planted it is the same spot. I figured the other had rotted. Well, I did find some solid corms that were trying to sprout so I potted them up. Yesterday I noticed that the marginatta I assumed was gone is up about 6 inches tall.

So that's the story from 8b and I'm stickin' to it - and that's even with a really really bad winter. 8a may be questionable in the ground, but seems like it would be fine in 9.

Russell

sandy0225
05-28-2010, 06:53 AM
I've noticed that siam ruby and also margarita are targets for all kinds of whiteflies, spider mites and even aphids. They are great indicator/trap bananas to plant in your crop. They will show the bugs first and then you know it's time to spray them.
They must taste REALLY good to bugs!

LilRaverBoi
05-28-2010, 11:15 AM
I've noticed that siam ruby and also margarita are targets for all kinds of whiteflies, spider mites and even aphids.
OMG yes! My SR got destroyed by spider mites this winter. It was definitely the first one to get hit (and hit hard) and had by far the worst infestation of any of my plants.

cherokee_greg
05-31-2010, 10:46 PM
mines lovin the sun no wilting yet
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=32368&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=32368&ppuser=5959)