View Full Version : Thinking about what to plant in Zone 8a
SlipperySlope
04-28-2015, 11:53 PM
Being new to bananas (and Zone 8a/Central MS), I'm trying to get some ideas of what varieties I might be able to plant in ground/containers. Some general preferences:
- Possibility of getting fruit from them
- Preferably something that can overwinter in 8a (or would not be set back too far by moving a container inside for the winter).
- Ease of acquisition (and resilience to newbie mistakes)
- Attractive/unusual foliage
What are your suggestions? (Links to other threads appreciated. Bonus points if you point me to where I might acquire your suggested variety.)
hydroid
04-29-2015, 07:50 PM
I would recommend the local Orinoco as a beginner plant. they are just about bullet proof once you get them started and they're easy to come by. I would also consider Saba, and Kandrian, which are actually plantains. I would put a heavy mulch and winterize if possible. Hope this helps.
Jose263
04-30-2015, 08:25 AM
I would recommend the local Orinoco as a beginner plant. they are just about bullet proof once you get them started and they're easy to come by. I would also consider Saba, and Kandrian, which are actually plantains. I would put a heavy mulch and winterize if possible. Hope this helps.
Be careful - Hydriod is a nana-enabler - he started me on my nana addiction with a free pup several years ago. :ha:
Seriously, Orinoco is a great starter nana - very cold hardy and robust but probably not suited for a pot unless you have a forklift. The namwahs are also good choices. In your zone they would require serious winterizing in order to produce a crop.
Good luck - I you are in Biloxi , I have T. and D. namwahs and orinoco.
hydroid
04-30-2015, 08:31 AM
Yeah those addictions start out little but first thing ya know, they'll have to cut you outta yor house with chain saws....ha ha.
SlipperySlope
05-02-2015, 11:45 AM
Seriously, Orinoco is a great starter nana - very cold hardy and robust but probably not suited for a pot unless you have a forklift. The namwahs are also good choices. In your zone they would require serious winterizing in order to produce a crop.
Orinoco seems to have received a number of recommendations. Any thoughts/comments on Orinoco vs. Dwarf Orinoco? My wife expressed concern with a plant that might get taller than our one-story home. (Although she did agree that I can plant one in the ground and have a second in a container that I could move into the house or workshop for the winter. :bananas_b)
Good luck - I you are in Biloxi , I have T. and D. namwahs and orinoco.
I think we're going to be down around Biloxi for Memorial Day weekend, but I'll have a rented minivan full of in-laws. I'm not sure how they'd feel about being crowded in with a banana plant or two.:ha:
Abnshrek
05-02-2015, 11:55 AM
It's all about you want the banana's for.. I have namwahs, caligolds, a Saba in ark.. No protection required for winter to come back.. On the same plain as you I have SH 3640 coming back w/o protection all winter along w/ namwah, manzano, cg's, d. Namwah, Saba, hoa moa, Pisang raja, and Saba. Braz & fhia-03 always take longer.. Hope this helps..
jbyrd88888
05-02-2015, 01:05 PM
Good to hear from you Abnshrek! I can't wait to see some photos from you this year!!
Abnshrek
05-03-2015, 11:29 AM
Good to hear from you Abnshrek! I can't wait to see some photos from you this year!!
Stuck veinte Cohol corm in garage in pot in the dark for the winter, and had 2 risers on it.. What I forgot to mention earlier is that raja puri is a spring beast once established in zone.
alemily
05-04-2015, 02:04 PM
Tall Namawh...aka "ice cream" if you can find a good-sized pup. If you can get the stem big enough before it stops growing around November-ish, it usually can survive a hard freeze and fruit the following year (mind is leafing out after surviving this past winter of a week barely above 20F)
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