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Nate74
09-05-2013, 05:06 PM
Hi there, I stumbled on to this place while trying to find information on cold hardy bananas.
So what started as how do I care for a few Musa Basjoo has already turned into how do I overwinter a Ensete maurelii?

Thanks in advance for the dumb questions I am sure to ask.

Abnshrek
09-05-2013, 05:08 PM
Hello, Welcome & Happy Growing.. :^)

cincinnana
09-05-2013, 05:09 PM
Welcome to the Jungle !!
Have fun here.
:woohoonaner:

JERICO
09-05-2013, 08:09 PM
Hey Nate! Welcome to the bunch!:waving:

The dumb question is the unasked question. Any question you ask is
probably on the tip of someone else tongue! You merely asked it first if someone else has not asked it before.

So ask what you may... :2738:

pmurphy
09-06-2013, 11:50 AM
Hi there, I stumbled on to this place while trying to find information on cold hardy bananas.
So what started as how do I care for a few Musa Basjoo has already turned into how do I overwinter a Ensete ?

Thanks in advance for the dumb questions I am sure to ask.

Welcome to a fellow Canadian grower in the Lower Mainland!

I would recommend overwintering your maurelii indoors or some place frost free. I have already moved my maurelii pups inside but will be leaving a larger specimen outside this year with protection as an experiment - I'll let you know how it turns out.

FYI, if you are looking for other types of bananas that will grow in your zone just PM me I will tell you what and where you can get them locally. :08:

Nate74
09-06-2013, 03:38 PM
pmurphy, I look forward to reading about how they do outside. Since my E. maurelii are still in containers they will be coming in this year. But I would like to plant them next spring and leave them out if possible.

Olafhenny
09-06-2013, 05:14 PM
Hi Nate,

welcome from Penticton, HZ 6.
I have raised and wintered Basjoos outside for more than 4 years now and look forward to my
first winter with the E. Maurelii. My Ornatas are small enough, even in maturity, to decorate
our living room during the winter.
“…generally speaking, the Lower Mainland of British Columbia is considered a Zone 7b (Abbotsford)…”
- thus our winters here are a tad more severe than yours and what works here should certainly
work in your area. I have extensively posted in this forum about my experiences so far and
my "new and improved" plans for the next winter, including the use of a cheap permanent,
reusable shelter, I have devised and which I will employ to protect my Maurelii.

Just let us know, what your prime concern is and we will probably be able to point you to a
solution, which has been posted (and tested) here previously, or come up with a new answer.

Good luck,
Olaf

Nate74
09-07-2013, 11:10 AM
“…generally speaking, the Lower Mainland of British Columbia is considered a Zone 7b (Abbotsford)…”


Below is one site which Abbotsford as zone 8b So I am somewhat confused as to which zone I am in. Is there a source that is more accurate than others. I guess I am just more nervous about trying to push plants out of their respective zones( I am pretty new to gardening in general). Thanks again.

British Columbia Interactive Plant Hardiness Zone Map (http://www.plantmaps.com/interactive-british-columbia-plant-zone-hardiness-map.php)

Olafhenny
09-07-2013, 02:04 PM
pmurphy, I look forward to reading about how they do outside. Since my E. maurelii are still in containers they will be coming in this year. But I would like to plant them next spring and leave them out if possible.

I got my info from this site: BC Plant Hardiness Map | West Coast Gardens (http://www.westcoastgardens.ca/garden-tips/hardiness-zones/)

The confusion stems probably from the proximity to the Fraser (8b) and away from it as well as higher
up, like in the hills near Mission. Add to that the factor of safety (they do not want to be responsible
if your banana freezes :)) and you get different interpretations. I have the same problem. I am in the
bottom of the valley, near Skaha Lake and figure on HZ6, but only 2 or 3 km to the east or 4 to 6 km
to the west you could have HZ3 or 4.