View Full Version : Musa Winterized Indoors - Newbie Grower
Appletonguy
09-07-2013, 05:56 PM
This is my first year with banana plants so I'm still really green. My plan was to bring in the 2' tall plants, which are in pots, and place them in the basement with T5 fluorescent lighting on a timer. Not concerned with the temp. I have read that they will stop growing at 60 degrees and the basement stays about 65 degrees all winter. Is there any value to providing light? Will they continue to grow at a slower pace or am I just wasting electricity? I apologize if this is answered in another thread already. Thoughts?
Josh
Appleton, Wisconsin
Abnshrek
09-07-2013, 06:01 PM
What's fellow Cheesehead, sounds like you have a plan. I don't know what types you have but sounds like you gave this a little forethought.. I was in Appleton 3 weeks ago.. :^)
Appletonguy
09-07-2013, 06:17 PM
I have 3 musa basjoos that I got about 2 1/2 months ago as 6" pups. I was hoping to keep them growing through the winter. I even considered putting in an insulated box and letting the heat from the lamps and ballasts keep the temp up high enough so they would continue to grow.
Abnshrek - with any luck I'll be out of here soon and to a warmer state like yourself! Then I wouldn't have to post silly questions.. ;)
Abnshrek
09-07-2013, 06:20 PM
With that setup you could grow Veinte Cohols (shortest Banana I have that fruits @ 5' or so), but you couldn't put it outside till it was over 50F or you'd see decline..
Lancelot
09-08-2013, 07:23 PM
I bring all of my bananas in and put what there isn't room for upstairs, all down in the basement with florescent lighting, just enough to keep them living and green. I get brown leaves, but the plants recover quickly when I bring them back out in the spring.
My big problem is going to be the two plants that are now over 6 ft. tall. I've got a few weeks to figure out what to do on those two.
Lance in Bonduel, WI
sman87
09-09-2013, 06:10 PM
I grew my bananas indoors last year with a t5 light setup and you will be surprised how much heat will radiate off those bulbs. it should save you some money not worring about heat. Anything above 60 will trigger the plant to grow somewhat even if its under artifical lighting. if u have a small room in your basement with the light your plants should continue to grow slowly. there is no real reason to have them getting huge over winter as it becomes more costly to grow as each plant becomes bigger. I grew a half dozen tissue cultured basjoos that were 2in tall under t5 lights starting last December and today outside in my garden, they are close to 7 feet tall! It's really important to start bananas early indoors up here in the northern climates if u want to achieve some good height.
Appletonguy
09-10-2013, 03:35 PM
Thanks for the responses guys! Sounds like I'm not alone with the approach. I only plan on doing it for the plants first winter so I can keep them going.
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