View Full Version : Time to put the bananas outside for spring!
Pancrazio
03-08-2014, 08:12 PM
I'm sorry if this has been asked before, I don't seem capable of formulating an appropriate search string to find my desired results;
however, I was wondering how you are supposed to plant your bananas back in your garden when you have overwintered them with the BIgdog method, once you decide that temperatures are high enough. I wonder if there's a special method to plant them back, or there are some suggestion and/or observation i should be aware of.
Two years ago i planted carelessy a Dwarf Namwah and a "Comune di Sicilia" and both of their pseudostem rotted (the "comune di sicilia" rotted to the corm). I planted both in the middle of march and two weeks later there was the wettest aprile ever, with cold temperature (but well above freezing) and they suffered a lot i guess.
Moreover, here the soil get very cold during winter, so i was wondering if i should open an hole in advance to have te sun heating the deepest layer of the soil, or if i should mix the amendants in advance. The plant, as for now is really wihout roots, and half leaf, so i guess that once I plant it outside, it will have a big transpiration, but leaving half leaf seems the standard in the plants overwintered with this method.
Any suggestion? Should i be worried? I have always seen picture of people bringing their plant inside for winter, i've never seen picture of people bringing their bananas out for spring.
Abnshrek
03-08-2014, 08:19 PM
Replant and make them raised beds w/ a bunch of mulch on top.. :^)
bananimal
03-09-2014, 08:48 PM
I always grew overwinter pups in pots in a warm room when I lived in N Carolina. With lighting and a small fan to circulate air. Planted them in the garden after the last official day of frost passed. The idea was to get them as big as possible to offset the 5 cold months they can't be in the ground. Planting in raised mounds will work as long as the corms are not constantly wet.
By the way Pan did you see what Keith said about the taste of the Viente Cohol? Very good news.
Dan
Pancrazio
03-10-2014, 10:44 PM
Good news indeed! Veinte Cohol seems a good banana all around. The only real complain i can make is the lack of cold hardiness, but advantages look like can offset that. Expecially the fact that it does keep a reasonable plant size, comparable with the smallest dwarfs.
Daniel, if i recall correctly you managed to fruit one of your plants with this method of potting up while you lived in NC. Which cultivar it was? Did it fruit outside and you potted it after the flower showed up, or did it flower while potted?
bananimal
03-11-2014, 01:05 PM
The one I fruited in N Carolina was Dwarf Orinoco.
To recap ---- Mid October 2001 I was walking to the garden with the dog, and looking up I saw the DO had popped a flower. Totally unexpected.
Made the decision, on the spot, to dig it up and pot it and bring it in the house. First freeze was forecasted in 2 days. It was very heavy but I managed to get it to the 2nd floor. I had put it in a clay pot which I regretted later. Put it in the master bedroom tub because there was a skylight above it. Four months later I harvested 72 fingers. Wrote an article for the newspaper that never ran.
The DO tasted wonderful to me since it was the only bunch I ever grew. Brought the corms to S FL and had a very big full sized bunch of fingers.
Then I found out what the DO really tasted like and
never grew it again! lol
Then I found Going Bananas nursery down where my cousin lives and the rest is history.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=55758&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=55758&ppuser=820)
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=55757&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=55757&ppuser=820)
Pancrazio
03-11-2014, 08:37 PM
Amazing! It does seems a good sized bunch too! Why don't you grow them anymore? Are they so bad? I have read good things about tall orinoco, apparently.
I have a D.O. too, which i hope to bloom soon, it is 4 feet tall. Started it as small plant in may 2012. Takes some time!!! This year I potted it in august, and it was able to overwinter keeping 3 leaves, so i'm hoping for a quick start once the temperature rise.
I have choosen this cultivar because, aside from hardiness, i hope to be able to eat even the undeveloped fruit, if they fill enough. It is a good characteristic, in places with a short growing season. Too bad they take forever to ripe.
Why did you regret the use of the clay pot?
shawndac1
03-12-2014, 08:36 AM
Oh no do they taste that awful I to have a D O in hope of having some good eatin and the fact it should stay a smaller size so i could bring it in during cold months :doggyandnaner::2182:but it soumd like I have messed up :(( I thiught they where suppose to taste pretty good ! This is bad news for me I live in zone 7 an knowing It won't last the winter here I would bring it in just for the fruit but if they taste bad I may not want to go through the trouble considering it may get pretty big this makes me wannt to get a super dwarf cavendish lol ! Do they taste any better ????? newbee ha ha and thanks yawl for you info I just live my bananas :)
bananimal
03-12-2014, 09:34 AM
The taste of the DO is ok. What I meant was --- there are so many that taste better. And it's very cold tolerant. Going Bananas introduced me to Goldfinger which is so good the mat will never be replaced. Then I found Pisang Klotek. Taste over the top - but it takes a year and a half from sucker to fruit on the table. \\
Today I wait for my first Morado, Pisang Raja, ARH, Njalipoovan, Chini Champa and Viente Cohol mats to produce.
I regretted the clay pot because of the extra weight. The pstem plus wet soil was heavy enough!!! Didn't have a big enough plastic pot at the time.
shawndac1
03-12-2014, 10:47 AM
Omgoodness you have a big variety :) an what are some other cold hardy that taste good???? That would mayb grow where I kive but stay small do you know?
bananimal
03-12-2014, 05:54 PM
The Chini Champa grows in the foothills of the Himalayas in India. Has good cold tolerance. But it gets tall. There is no such thing as cold hardy bananas. Cold tolerant yes.
Pancrazio
03-12-2014, 09:12 PM
I regretted the clay pot because of the extra weight. The pstem plus wet soil was heavy enough!!! Didn't have a big enough plastic pot at the time.
Banana pstem can be really heavy. You can't imagine how much they weight till you have lifted one for the winter! The "comune di sicilia" wich was little under 7' was so heavy that i was barely capable of uprooting it in the autumn of 2011. I don't think i can grow anything over 7-8 feet, under any circumstance.
I'ts good to hear that Goldfinger is so good. I have one wich survived its first winter. I wonder how well it can do in pot. I think that asacomm has one potted. The time from flower to harvest should be not very long, so if i can get an early bloom...
Abnshrek
03-12-2014, 09:23 PM
Banana pstem can be really heavy. You can't imagine how much they weight till you have lifted one for the winter! The "comune di sicilia" wich was little under 7' was so heavy that i was barely capable of uprooting it in the autumn of 2011. I don't think i can grow anything over 7-8 feet, under any circumstance.
I'ts good to hear that Goldfinger is so good. I have one wich survived its first winter. I wonder how well it can do in pot. I think that asacomm has one potted. The time from flower to harvest should be not very long, so if i can get an early bloom...
That's when you need one of these.. Holds up to 1000 lbs..
http://www.midlandhardware.com/assets/images/products/131046.jpg
Pancrazio
03-13-2014, 09:07 PM
I'm about to buy one! But it should of those with three whell on both sides, capable to bring things upstairs too. :0519:
bengal tiger nanas
03-14-2014, 10:55 AM
That's when you need one of these.. Holds up to 1000 lbs..
http://www.midlandhardware.com/assets/images/products/131046.jpg
that looks like the one i have. thanks
Abnshrek
03-14-2014, 10:59 AM
that looks like the one i have. thanks
Looks like the one I have too.. :^)
bananimal
03-15-2014, 08:07 PM
I could not manage without a hand truck. I drilled some holes in the load plate and mounted a larger platform for big pots and bags of fertilizer, etc.
Also --- the number one thing to do is replace the inflatable tires with solid rubber ones. Pricey, but will last forever. Just don't leave the HT outside. And lubricate axels and wheel ball bearings frequently.
cincinnana
03-15-2014, 09:20 PM
Before
Plant leaves are halved to cut down on space and light foot print in basement and water requirements.
Plants are put side by side in a basement for 5 months with little light and water.
Ambient temp...........65F or more.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/110357684@N02/13179905095/" title="Untitled by Hostafarian, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7238/13179905095_607dba4538_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="Untitled"></a>
HERE is a pic of plants being taken out of the basement...
After 5 months
Plants look almost just as good as they were put in the basement.
BUT ......These plants are stressed..........Let me say it again STRESSED.
Pstems are soft and lethargic as well as the leaves.
Bloods take it the worst....However this year my Viente Cohols went back to the corm.....recovering.
THESE pics are from the last two years .........Same similar story
I repot most of these plants in the spring with a new soiless mix and uppot up many as well:)
I will also separate the last years pups from the main plant, I try to do this in the spring
to give them a better start.
My soil is not that great to work with.... Glaciated clay... UGH.
That is why I do containers.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/110357684@N02/13179994613/" title="Untitled by Hostafarian, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7064/13179994613_b18e6bc117_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="Untitled"></a>
And then....I tuck the containers in here and there.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/110357684@N02/12550608765/" title="IMG_0435 by Hostafarian, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7328/12550608765_aa7945ac27_c.jpg" width="800" height="598" alt="IMG_0435"></a>
Photo of some good Ohio glaciated clay in the yard
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/110357684@N02/12938944995" title="Untitled by Hostafarian, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2851/12938944995_ab3e6be4e6.jpg" width="500" height="329" alt="Untitled"></a>
:ha:
cincinnana
03-16-2014, 08:11 AM
I could not manage without a hand truck. I drilled some holes in the load plate and mounted a larger platform for big pots and bags of fertilizer, etc.
Also --- the number one thing to do is replace the inflatable tires with solid rubber ones. Pricey, but will last forever. Just don't leave the HT outside. And lubricate axels and wheel ball bearings frequently.
Good idea.
shawndac1
03-16-2014, 11:36 AM
Wow I have no room for all that lol I will deffinetly have to keep mine outside all winter but they are beautiful ;)!!!
cannasrus
03-18-2014, 06:05 PM
My big ones will have to stay out next winter, i am thinking pups 3 feet tall or less will make the garage trip next fall.
Pancrazio
03-18-2014, 08:23 PM
And then....I tuck the containers in here and there.
Let me say that your bananas add a NICE tropical effect to your garden.
It's just me or there's a Musa Rose in there? I thought it was too tropical to be capable of surviving with such hard treatment.
Banana do require really little water while in low methabolism in a wind-free enviroment. I have been surprised that my banana kept indoor since november, have required just 3 big waterings in 4 months.
But I don't know about light. I wonder if i can keep a nana in complete darkness. I mean, a potted one. I'm experimenting with a plant in my cellar pretty much like the bigdog method, but this is soilless, so i don't think it really counts. The lack of soil pretty much forces the banana into sleep from starving. So the lack of light isn't noticed. I wonder what kind of effect it can be experienced on a potted plant.
cincinnana
03-18-2014, 08:49 PM
My big ones will have to stay out next winter, i am thinking pups 3 feet tall or less will make the garage trip next fall.
Agreed....better to be safe than.....holding a squishy banana:2722:
cincinnana
03-18-2014, 09:00 PM
Let me say that your bananas add a NICE tropical effect to your garden.
It's just me or there's a Musa Rose in there? I thought it was too tropical to be capable of surviving with such hard treatment.
Banana do require really little water while in low methabolism in a wind-free enviroment. I have been surprised that my banana kept indoor since november, have required just 3 big waterings in 4 months.
But I don't know about light. I wonder if i can keep a nana in complete darkness. I mean, a potted one. I'm experimenting with a plant in my cellar pretty much like the bigdog method, but this is soilless, so i don't think it really counts. The lack of soil pretty much forces the banana into sleep from starving. So the lack of light isn't noticed. I wonder what kind of effect it can be experienced on a potted plant.
Yes to your question.....the plants in my pics are in very very dim light .
And in containers with little water and the containers have a soilless mix which I have made....
Do you want current pics???????
I will take them.
Yes to your question.....the plants in my pics are in very very dim light .
And in containers with little water and the containers have a soilless mix which I have made....
Do you want current pics??????? :waving:
I will take them.
http://i911.photobucket.com/albums/ac317/1tvg/2960d7f5-61de-49b7-9a79-cc529e14cfd7_zps430210e5.png
Pancrazio
03-19-2014, 12:38 PM
Do you want current pics???????
I will take them.
Oh, it would be very nice to take a close view. Yes thanks.
cincinnana
03-19-2014, 01:49 PM
Not a pretty sight.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/110357684@N02/13271108805/" title="Plants in basement by Hostafarian, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7200/13271108805_5ec974a7b9_c.jpg" width="800" height="598" alt="Plants in basement"></a>
Pancrazio
03-19-2014, 02:32 PM
Thank you, this gives me an exact idea on how much light your plants get. Yes, i think i can overwinter in a similar way. It's amazing how much bananas can take and recover from, speaking about harsh enviroments.
I bet your soilless medium helps too.
Hammocked Banana
03-19-2014, 09:42 PM
Can u take a pic with a flash so we can see all those plants?!
cincinnana
03-20-2014, 07:49 PM
Can u take a pic with a flash so we can see all those plants?!
This is a little better.
Standing on a six foot ladder pointing down.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/110357684@N02/13271977404/" title="image by Hostafarian, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3696/13271977404_f2d1d341cf_c.jpg" width="800" height="598" alt="image"></a>
cincinnana
03-25-2014, 08:42 AM
I do keep some tender ferns and bananas under light and warmth.
I replaced the small bulbs with 3x68 watt 6500k compact fluorescent bulbs.
900 watt equivalent.
I can't wait for the weather to break:)
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/110357684@N02/13402929645/" title="Untitled by Hostafarian, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7304/13402929645_c010637090_c.jpg" width="800" height="598" alt="Untitled"></a>
Hammocked Banana
03-25-2014, 01:00 PM
Wow the leaves on your ae ae look amazing for being inside all winter. Do u use a humidifier also?
cincinnana
03-25-2014, 03:52 PM
Wow the leaves on your ae ae look amazing for being inside all winter. Do u use a humidifier also?
No additional humidity was used...temps were 63-73 F though.
Lights on about 14 - 16 hours a day.
A few days I forgot to turn on the light before work:)oops
This plant actually did better than my Viente Cohol....hmmm
The plants in the basement the temps were about 63-68F which is a little tougher environment..brrr
Why, I have soooooooo much to learn, reading though the posts, man I am going crazy with all the different names and all.
cannasrus
04-09-2014, 11:00 PM
OK Mike, what is the Varigated Nanner in the Pic ???? We need one, any pups for sale??? I have never seen anything like that around here ...
Hammocked Banana
04-10-2014, 08:33 AM
That variegated nanner is a royal hawaian a'ea'e. Variegated pups used to sell for hundreds and hundreds of dollars, but now primarily through members here it has become somewhat more available.
cincinnana
04-24-2014, 09:42 PM
Current train wreck.
Split a bunch of stuff......give it a month.
Pups don't take kindly being taken from momma.
No leaves on the trees yet in the background.
http://i1284.photobucket.com/albums/a575/hostafarian/IMG_0853_zpsc6a0ff47.jpg (http://s1284.photobucket.com/user/hostafarian/media/IMG_0853_zpsc6a0ff47.jpg.html)
sman87
04-28-2014, 12:10 AM
glad to see another Ohioan drag their grizzled indoor survivors out!
cannasrus
04-28-2014, 08:54 AM
Mine are not happy either.
cincinnana
04-28-2014, 09:26 AM
glad to see another Ohioan drag their grizzled indoor survivors out!
Mine are not happy either.
Soon they will all be doing the Happy dance.
I have some outside and some inside, my avg temp is not consistantly in the 55-65F or 12-18C range.
Cool and wet while not growing is not a good thing ......in the spring, for a banana plant.:)
cannasrus
04-29-2014, 02:55 AM
The wind today has kicked their butts, 4 kinked leaves so far.... all but pups are in the ground
cincinnana
05-03-2014, 08:53 PM
Just a meaningless tid bit.....
Note the round semi bare spots from previous pot placement.
This happens after three days.
Most containers in this pic have been moved inside therefore the different colored spots in the grass.
Bananas shown Orinocos.<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/110357684@N02/13888897648" title="Untitled by Hostafarian, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2914/13888897648_d295d1d304_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Untitled"></a>
bengal tiger nanas
05-03-2014, 09:06 PM
how long for lawn to recover?
cincinnana
05-04-2014, 05:54 AM
how long for lawn to recover?
About a week or so
Pancrazio
05-05-2014, 08:29 PM
I have planted almost everything in the ground, weather forecast seems good so far.
cincinnana
05-05-2014, 08:58 PM
I have planted almost everything in the ground, weather forecast seems good so far.
Good luck..... I put all my container outside today also, and repotted many plants( bananas) with a fresh soiless mix and nutrients.
ARRRRG..
Here is a pic of some Blue Iris and staddle stones....
And now I have leaves on the trees...:woohoonaner:
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/110357684@N02/13932007808" title="Untitled by Hostafarian, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2908/13932007808_8456eae1b5_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Untitled"></a>
bananimal
05-05-2014, 10:45 PM
The Ae Ae is looking good and has some size now. Why not ground plant it now and try for fruit. Even it doesn't make it till first frost you should have some pups to pot up.:nanadrink:
cincinnana
05-06-2014, 06:22 AM
The Ae Ae is looking good and has some size now. Why not ground plant it now and try for fruit. Even it doesn't make it till first frost you should have some pups to pot up.:nanadrink:
I moved the plant to a 25 gal landscape container yesterday.
Your were right on about the roots being wound tight in the smaller container.
Tight and healthy but no obvious signs of pups.
With more heat and real sunlight I might just get a pup... we'll see.:)
cannasrus
05-07-2014, 01:36 PM
all my stuff has been in the ground for almost 2 weeks, They are all sun burned and wind blown, The 25 MPH south winds have raised hell ......Not to mention the shock of being moved, another week or so and they will pull out of it. I planted all the big boys deep....they will be staying out this winter
designshark
05-08-2014, 10:48 PM
cannasrus - I planted a 2-year sheltered pup a foot deep last summer, insulated it good (so I thought) and after the winter we had I'm thinking dry root this fall. There is nothing but a big hole. All my outside nanners have no signs of life this year. My biggest and oldest basjoo was total mush as far as I could dig. Good luck there.
cincinnana
05-12-2014, 08:57 PM
Well .....Apparently this plant does not have its sea legs yet.
Many of my plants (bananas) broke stems under this mornings heavy thunder storms.
I have noticed that many plants(banana) have to "harden off" before they are let loose outside:) Actually I thought this one was....but:ha:
Growing inside is a lot easier than outside..
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/110357684@N02/14173508874" title="Untitled by Hostafarian, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7336/14173508874_f4e5291558_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="Untitled"></a>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/110357684@N02/13986832728" title="Untitled by Hostafarian, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2907/13986832728_58cc4880b7_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="Untitled"></a>
bananimal
05-12-2014, 11:30 PM
Just let them hang. They will still do their job like it never happened. Cut off when they turn brown. Heavy winds cracked half of the PK mama leaves and she still produced a full bunch of fruit last year.
Longwoods Tropicals
05-13-2014, 12:30 AM
I am about half planted banana wise, about sixteen little and not so little basjoo shoots have finally emerged, last year this time they had been out for several weeks already. So far I've planted one of the large (the rattier one) maurellis and one of the glaucums along with one SDC and a couple of very small dwarf cavs, also a plant grown from seed that I originally thought and was labeled as Musa Acuminata Dwarf Cavendish (after then a years growth I'm nearly sure it's a Musa Sikkimensis). All my cannas and most of my alocasias are out. The first ones out saw 1c one night and 3 another, they're rough for sure but in a month they should be fully recovered.http://i1357.photobucket.com/albums/q750/LongwoodsTropicals/DSCN0473_zpsde6f588e.jpg (http://s1357.photobucket.com/user/LongwoodsTropicals/media/DSCN0473_zpsde6f588e.jpg.html)
http://i1357.photobucket.com/albums/q750/LongwoodsTropicals/DSCN0445_zps0c39b430.jpg (http://s1357.photobucket.com/user/LongwoodsTropicals/media/DSCN0445_zps0c39b430.jpg.html)
Best wishes this planting season to all.
Regards
Harold
Hammocked Banana
05-13-2014, 08:29 AM
Looking good, they should take off soon with warm weather finally here. I still need to get everything planted, hopefully this weekend.
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