amantedelenguaje
10-27-2013, 10:58 AM
I've been heavy into bananas and tropicals since 2010. This is my fourth year over-wintering plants. The first two years, I put my limited store of plants in my house by a sunny window. The third year, I used my house and a greenhouse that I built. The funny thing is that the amount of plants I own keeps multiplying, especially those darn banana pups.
Last year, my greenhouse hit temperatures of 34F degrees for a couple of hours. This happened several times. None-the-less, all my plants survived and thrived during the spring/summer. One even produced bananas. Hmm...I was expecting dead plants at 34F. Time to rethink things. My new strategy is to keep the plants from freezing and dying, whereas my old strategy was to keep them actively growing.
My first ever in-ground bananas: The bananas are enclosed by large tomato cages that are filled with hay. Plastic is placed over the cages to keep out moisture. Additionally, the bananas are planted adjacent to my house on the south side to maximize warmth. If these bananas survive and produce fruit, I am going to put a lot more nanners in the ground.
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i185xhgWzrY/Um0pkOxiRuI/AAAAAAAADSg/exJwgAVFOd4/s320/2013-10-27%2B10.47.19-776311.jpg
Greenhouse plants: The goal is no longer to keep them growing, but just to keep them alive.
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yLI59PDSUrU/Um0plJauEwI/AAAAAAAADS4/6fDkpA5LeRE/s320/2013-10-27%2B10.48.09-779341.jpg
Covered porch plants: My research on avocados shows that they can take temperatures around 32F and even a little lower. These plants are going to stay on my covered porch on the south side of my house. I will bring them inside at night if temperatures are to go below freezing, else they will stay on the porch.
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YXuUgcPm6GQ/Um0pl4SaWzI/AAAAAAAADTQ/6rpAQH_sxr0/s320/2013-10-27%2B10.47.40-782549.jpg
House plants: Several plants are in my house because there is no more room in the greenhouse. I have a banana that is about to flower, dragon fruit, and several citrus. The citrus generally flower when I bring them indoors. This gives me the chance to pollinate without having to go out to the greenhouse. My Meyer lemon is carrying a load of fruit already.
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TG4uO8in5IA/Um0pjc0vUsI/AAAAAAAADSQ/PNexVHdqBzI/s320/2013-10-27%2B10.50.54-772559.jpg
Last year, my greenhouse hit temperatures of 34F degrees for a couple of hours. This happened several times. None-the-less, all my plants survived and thrived during the spring/summer. One even produced bananas. Hmm...I was expecting dead plants at 34F. Time to rethink things. My new strategy is to keep the plants from freezing and dying, whereas my old strategy was to keep them actively growing.
My first ever in-ground bananas: The bananas are enclosed by large tomato cages that are filled with hay. Plastic is placed over the cages to keep out moisture. Additionally, the bananas are planted adjacent to my house on the south side to maximize warmth. If these bananas survive and produce fruit, I am going to put a lot more nanners in the ground.
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i185xhgWzrY/Um0pkOxiRuI/AAAAAAAADSg/exJwgAVFOd4/s320/2013-10-27%2B10.47.19-776311.jpg
Greenhouse plants: The goal is no longer to keep them growing, but just to keep them alive.
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yLI59PDSUrU/Um0plJauEwI/AAAAAAAADS4/6fDkpA5LeRE/s320/2013-10-27%2B10.48.09-779341.jpg
Covered porch plants: My research on avocados shows that they can take temperatures around 32F and even a little lower. These plants are going to stay on my covered porch on the south side of my house. I will bring them inside at night if temperatures are to go below freezing, else they will stay on the porch.
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YXuUgcPm6GQ/Um0pl4SaWzI/AAAAAAAADTQ/6rpAQH_sxr0/s320/2013-10-27%2B10.47.40-782549.jpg
House plants: Several plants are in my house because there is no more room in the greenhouse. I have a banana that is about to flower, dragon fruit, and several citrus. The citrus generally flower when I bring them indoors. This gives me the chance to pollinate without having to go out to the greenhouse. My Meyer lemon is carrying a load of fruit already.
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TG4uO8in5IA/Um0pjc0vUsI/AAAAAAAADSQ/PNexVHdqBzI/s320/2013-10-27%2B10.50.54-772559.jpg