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View Full Version : Time to cut back my Basjoos?


Aranon
10-16-2013, 12:53 PM
I live in Nebraska and last night our temperature hit the mid to high 20's so all the leaf growth on the basjoos have died and turned brownish, the pstem looks fine though. For our 5 day forecast it looks like our highs will be mid 50's to low 30's at night, should I cut back the stem now? This will be the first time I try to overwinter bananas. I have lots of grass clippings from mowing all summer and quite a bit of leaves as well, should I cut the stem back a few inches to the ground and pile the leaves/grass on them? I see lots of methods on overwintering them, some seem more complicated then others.

I planted them by cutting holes in between rubber matting (the kind used to stop weeds) The matting is fairly thick, would I need to place the matting over the grass/leaves? or in between? I have included some pictures showing the plants and the mats they are growing in.

http://i1317.photobucket.com/albums/t635/Rodney_rawr/20131016_122230_zps4b1dcdd2.jpghttp://i1317.photobucket.com/albums/t635/Rodney_rawr/20131016_122357_zpse31a8d7e.jpghttp://i1317.photobucket.com/albums/t635/Rodney_rawr/20131016_122241_zps98205eec.jpghttp://i1317.photobucket.com/albums/t635/Rodney_rawr/20131016_122350_zps5b66c24e.jpg

Funkthulhu
10-16-2013, 01:43 PM
I have a lot of the same questions.

Being also from Nebraska (through apparently further East/South than Rodney) I'm trying to figure out how best to overwinter. Mine are still upright and fully green and growing, as our low has only hit about 37 so far.

I brought in all my "keepers" and these that are left outside will be an overwintering experiment. What's going to be the easiest method for cover and forget until spring?

Olafhenny
10-16-2013, 05:57 PM
Hi Rodney,

here is, what you can do:
• Pile an eight inch layer of leaves over your stumps and the PS will probably
freeze back to below soil level, but the corm will probably survive, provided you
planted it deep enough.
• Erect an 18 to 24” high fence around you plants, fill it up with fall leaves and
you will probably preserve a stub of PS. That will speed up recovery in spring
significantly. Here is my experience from my first attempt of wintering basjoos
the gimmick with the face and the raised protection for the PS did not work): :ha:
http://www.bananas.org/f2/my-banana-experience-lack-12904.html
• You can enhance your chances of success, by giving the stub some air space,
by placing a big flowerpot or such over the stump, before you pile on the leaves.
And by providing some sort of rain cover, to keep out excess moisture.
• It is too late for you this year, but for next winter you may consider
http://www.bananas.org/f2/permanent-banana-shelter-winter-spring-17855.html (how to make one)
• How I am using it this year and some more advantages of it, are described
here: http://www.bananas.org/f10/packing-up-e-maurelii-outdoor-wintering-19192.html#post231495

Good luck!
Olaf

Aranon
10-16-2013, 07:55 PM
Hi Rodney,

here is, what you can do:
• Pile an eight inch layer of leaves over your stumps and the PS will probably
freeze back to below soil level, but the corm will probably survive, provided you
planted it deep enough.
• Erect an 18 to 24” high fence around you plants, fill it up with fall leaves and
you will probably preserve a stub of PS. That will speed up recovery in spring
significantly. Here is my experience from my first attempt of wintering basjoos
the gimmick with the face and the raised protection for the PS did not work): :ha:
http://www.bananas.org/f2/my-banana-experience-lack-12904.html
• You can enhance your chances of success, by giving the stub some air space,
by placing a big flowerpot or such over the stump, before you pile on the leaves.
And by providing some sort of rain cover, to keep out excess moisture.
• It is too late for you this year, but for next winter you may consider
http://www.bananas.org/f2/permanent-banana-shelter-winter-spring-17855.html (how to make one)
• How I am using it this year and some more advantages of it, are described
here: http://www.bananas.org/f10/packing-up-e-maurelii-outdoor-wintering-19192.html#post231495

Good luck!
Olaf






Thanks for the tips! as its too late in the day to really do anything I have went out and cut off all the leaves and wrapped the pstem in a towel to help it over the night as temps are supposed to hit a low of 30 degrees. Tomorrow I will devise my plan and most likely cut the stem back.

Tony O
10-17-2013, 02:10 PM
Your worst enemy is moisture getting into the stub and freezing. However, I've found that even if the main plant gets killed, it will usually send up pups as soon as the ground warms in the spring.

Olafhenny
10-17-2013, 03:01 PM
Somebody else has proposed to slice the top off the PS on an angle, to help excess
moisture to run off. I do not know, if it helps much, but since it certainly cannot harm,
I have done that ever since.

GardenBee
04-10-2014, 10:13 AM
I agree with Pniksch... "What a incredible bit of planning/engineering!"
Thank you for sharing Olafhenny!

Hammocked Banana
04-10-2014, 03:05 PM
How did these nanners do this winter?