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View Full Version : Musa Basjoo Stored in Garage Dead??


CentralCT
02-16-2016, 06:11 PM
Good Evening,

This is my first post...I found this website trying to see if my banana plants are goners.

I am in central CT and we had sub-freezing temperatures this past weekend.
I have 3 musa basjoo's that were stored in garage on cement floor. The thermometer went down to 23 degrees F for several hours. The plants still had leaves on them! However, I am kicking myself since I probably should have brought them in from the attached garage. The stems are mushy. Should I cut the stems back? if so, will these plants grow back from the roots? Or should I just toss the roots and all?

I have a 7 foot orange tree, some lemon plants with lemons on them and fig trees and these seemed to have survived several hours at 23 degrees F.

Please advise!

Thanks,

Central CT

midkiffsjoy
02-16-2016, 09:07 PM
*following because I think they should be fine cause they didn't get frosted on, but interested to see what an experienced banana grower says*

Have you considered running a box heater in your garage with your trees/plants???

Mark Dragt
02-16-2016, 10:14 PM
Welcome to the org!

How big are the Musa Basjoo? Big plants handle this sort of thing better than small plants. Is the mush on the stem all the way through? It's possible just the outer layers got damaged and the plant will start again from the center. If the entire stem is mush but the corm is still ok, then it may start again with pups from the original corm and roots. If the corm is mush, then it is compost. I hope this helps. Again welcome to the org.

cincinnana
02-17-2016, 04:40 AM
Welcome to the Jungle111:woohoonaner:

Your plant is pretty resilient after storage in the garage /basement.
The corms of this plant are able to withstand some degree of colder temps unprotected in a container in your garage.
If the plants are in containers then the damage could be only superficial to the exposed areas and anything in the container is still viable.


Give your plants some time to sort themselves out.

OR
Anything that looks translucent/frost bit is dead and will need to cut it off .
Just cut the stems off above soil level 6-8 inches.

Only disturb what has to be .... the roots and corm in the container are probably still good:)

Bring them in the other garage and let them dry out and rest a bit.
Do not try to water /fert ..to bring back to life...this will further the plants woes.

This has happened to me when I have been caught off guard in the fall during hard freezes......but with a less hardy plant.

Post a photo if you can

HMelendez
02-17-2016, 06:51 AM
Welcome to the banana gang!.....

Snarkie
02-19-2016, 05:12 PM
Welcome to the Banana Express. :nanerwaveytrain:

They should bounce back fine!