View Full Version : Howdy from Chattanooga, TN
Tennsage
05-22-2014, 02:42 PM
We're newbies who can't wait to get started growing bananas. Welcome, also, to our fellow newbies. We're transplants from the West Coast, and realize we'll have to keep 'em in containers and bring them in during the winter. We saw a banana plant survive a winter at a nursery nearby--and the proud owner is enjoying the fruits of his labor. We're also growing citrus, so our next big garden project will be to build a greenhouse that will withstand a few days of 35mph winds and a bit of snow next winter. We're interested in growing fruiting bananas, so any recommendations for the area would be greatly appreciated.
Abnshrek
05-22-2014, 03:06 PM
Hello, Welcome & Happy Growing.. :^)
Tennsage
05-22-2014, 03:53 PM
Hey there, thanks for the welcome. My husband lived in Central America, and has firsthand knowledge of fruits I can only dream of. But we are definitely interested in growing bananas, even if we live in Zone 7. It's a great excuse to get our greenhouse built before next winter, and for us to share some of his knowledge. Looking forward to reading posts, learning about new varieties, and meeting like-minded growers like yourself.
Abnshrek
05-22-2014, 04:35 PM
Well this fellow has had success growing banana's in the Cold. (http://www.bananas.org/f2/my-semi-pit-banana-greenhouse-18518.html) and this has good Pictures and info. (http://www.greenfingardens.com/p/blog-page.html). :^)
kubali
05-22-2014, 05:48 PM
Welcome aboard ,
pull up a chair and have some fun learning.
Duckfood
05-22-2014, 08:46 PM
Who in their right mind would try to grow Banana Plants in Tennessee???
Welcome!!! From Knoxville...
cincinnana
05-23-2014, 05:20 AM
Welcome to the Jungle..:woohoonaner:
Have fun here.
Tennsage
05-24-2014, 02:27 PM
Ha, love it! Back in the day in CA, I studied organic gardening in Santa Cruz. We had a fantastic garden at Cabrillo College, where our fearless leader was a mango-head. I had no idea you could grow bananas or other tropical fruits partly indoors. Never gave it much thought until I saw a mango growing at the conservatory at the University. Then I found people growing all kinds of interesting fruits by bringing them inside during cold winters, and thought, wow. I wanna try. Never imagined I'd ever be living in Tennessee, but I love it here. We now have 3 acres, with room for a greenhouse, which I hope to get built by the end of September.
If not, the bananas et al will have to live in the basement under gro-lites. I'd rather try out a greenhouse.
So, are you part of the U up there, or a spirited enthusiast who got inspired on your own? What varieties are you growing? Can't wait to get some plants going here.
Best to you,
Tennsage
RobG7aChattTN
05-24-2014, 06:26 PM
I just grow ornamental bananas. I tried Raja Puri and a few others and dug and stored the plants dormant in my basement. Well, they take 18 months to fully grow a bunch of bananas so if your weather is just right you can grow and ripen them in the third year...but sometimes they just bloom too late and they want to ripen in winter. I gave up before any bloomed. I just decided to grow the cold hardy ornamental types and just give up on fruit. Technically you can sometimes ripen Musa velutina or Musa ornata in a single season but the fruits are tiny and full of seeds. For citrus I've just planted 'Orange Frost' and 'Arctic Frost' in the ground in my unheated greenhouse. They actually had small ones for cheap at Walmart in Chattanooga. I don't believe the zone 7 rating but they should survive in the greenhouse and ripen fruit (they should ripen in late fall).
Tennsage
06-21-2014, 03:27 PM
Hey, thanks for the info. My tiny hand of banners died, and the male bud has had it. I'm going to transplant into a plastic half barrel I drilled with large holes and try air pruning it. The plant is otherwise healthy (got it from the nursery next to Winwood). Meanwhile, the 4 citrus I got from CostCo in Ft O are coming on gangbusters. The lemon has 6 fruits and just put out a bunch more blossoms. The Blood Orange just set one fruit; the tangerine and lime both put out blossoms and appear to be setting fruit. Keeping my fingers crossed. Will be building a greenhouse soon--using cattle fencing, wood, and plastic sheeting. I'll probably line the floor with sheets of 1 1/2" foamular. I may also make a compost pile in one end to create extra warmth if needed. I made a simple A frame this past winter and my porch plants survived the two weeks below 20 we had with no problem. I slid in foamular on the ground, and at night propped two foam boards as an internal A and the plants didn't freeze at all. I removed one board in the mornings so the plants got sun on the southern exposure. But this year I'll be dealing with trees, not 18" plants.
Glad to know there's a fellow Noogan on here. Will keep you apprised of how we do.
10sage
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