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View Full Version : Packing up the E. Maurelii for outdoor wintering


Olafhenny
10-15-2013, 06:55 PM
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=54905 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=54905&ppuser=7269)

As is easy to see the poor thing looks bedraggled enough to
motivate me to provide it with some protection



http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=54906 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=54906&ppuser=7269)

First order of business: slice off the leaves



http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=54904 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=54904&ppuser=7269)

Next shape a little groove around the plant to fit the base of the shelter



http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=54903 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=54903&ppuser=7269)

Place the shelter in the groove and form a little soil ramp around the base to
keep the draft out. This ramp will be augmented with a good swat of leaves,
when they drop from the trees.



http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=54907 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=54907&ppuser=7269)

Pound in a bamboo stake at each side, stick the lid on top and weigh it down with a fair sized rock.

I know, that the shelter will protect this little Maurelii securely from frost. Will it survive the extended
darkness? – ask me next spring. Although the guaranteed frost free period will start here sometime
between May 5 and 15, I plan on taking the lid off as early as March on warm days and quickly stick
it back on, when frost threatens. – One of the big advantages of this shelter over some other means
of wintering. I will even be able to do that “on and off thing” with the whole shelter, later, when frost
becomes more unlikely, but remains still a threat.

dana mastro
10-16-2013, 10:29 AM
im going to try this next year for the ones I don't want to pull back in the sunroom but for the top of the box I might get like 6 mil see threw plastic so it can soak up some rays I like it though hope it will survive! post a pic when spring comes plz

Olafhenny
10-16-2013, 01:03 PM
That would not be enough to keep the frost out during much of the winter, but it is an
excellent idea for some of the warmer days in February - March. To swap the lids in
accordance with the weather takes only seconds.

Thank you for this idea. I make my posts so detailed exactly to stimulate this kind of
feedback, which will improve and build on my own ideas.

Olafhenny
10-16-2013, 02:19 PM
Hi Banna,

I suggest, that by swapping lids on warm days during February - March and taking the
whole box off in April and only replacing it, when frost threatens, we could add more
than the equivalent of a full month's growth to the season, as opposed to the "all or
nothing" approach of spring start, which is indicated with mulching or other methods
of outdoor protection. That start would not take place before early to mid-May here.

It would also provide a greater advantage over bare root wintering, which also only
allows the transfer of the plants outside after all danger of frost has past.

stevelau1911
12-01-2013, 01:54 AM
That looks like a pretty bold way to overwinter maurelii.

I just took mine out of the ground, let them dry up completely and now have them stored in the attic until around April when it would make sense to get them to start growing again.

Let us know how it turns out.

Olafhenny
12-01-2013, 02:42 AM
Thanks, Steve,
I have great confidence in the insulating capability of that shelter. That and
drawing some heat from the lower strata of the soil, should keep it warm
enough. I just do not know, if it can take 5 months of complete darkness.
It will not only be a test for the maurelii, but also for the shelter.

We will see in March. I will certainly report on the outcome, win or lose.

Best,
Olaf

Hammocked Banana
04-03-2014, 12:14 AM
Any updates?

Olafhenny
04-03-2014, 09:46 AM
Winter has been dragging on here. We are about 3 weeks behind. Warmer
weather in the forecast. Will probably unwrap it in a few days.
Olaf

Hammocked Banana
04-03-2014, 11:01 AM
Same here, looking forward to seeing the results. U snuck a peek in there at all?

Olafhenny
04-03-2014, 01:02 PM
Same here, looking forward to seeing the results. U snuck a peek in there at all?

Yes I did take the lid off, but could not see much, except that the top was frost
damaged. If anything survived lower down, will have to wait a few more days.
Warmer weather is forecast starting Monday.

cincinnana
04-03-2014, 04:42 PM
Yes I did take the lid off, but could not see much, except that the top was frost
damaged. If anything survived lower down, will have to wait a few more days.
Warmer weather is forecast starting Monday.


Me too......:lurk:

cincinnana
04-12-2014, 05:39 PM
I repotted mine today with fresh soil:08:

Olafhenny
04-12-2014, 09:42 PM
I finally removed the shelter and found, that the PS was rotten right to the ground.
I cut all that off down to the base, which appeared still sound and am now hoping
for some pups to develop.

No matter what is going to happen, E. Maurelii are probably out for me. since I do
not be appear to be able to winter them outdoors, and I neither have the inclination
or the space to dig them up every fall and bring them inside.

On another matter, I am trying to start a new thread, but can not figure out how.

I had stored the URL for the procedure in my computer, but when changing from
Windows XP to Windows 7, it got lost. I cannot find it in this website either. so,
PLEASE if anybody can get me on the right track, do.

Thanks,
Olaf

cincinnana
04-13-2014, 09:09 AM
Olaf
Most of your posts are in the Banana.org Site News forum check there.
What was your procedure called?
What were the keywords to your original post....do the search and they might pop up.