Time to put the bananas to sleep for the Winter

[natej740]

Has anyone tried this with a musa basjoo? I know they are hardy but i would love to start off next spring with a 9 or 10 foot plant and not have to wait all year for it to get this big again...

[hammer]

Has anyone tried this with a musa basjoo? I know they are hardy but i would love to start off next spring with a 9 or 10 foot plant and not have to wait all year for it to get this big again...

Yes and it worked well for me last year .

[jamesdart]

i have read all of these pages a few times and my head is spinning. i have 2 different bannanas and a red abysinnian i need to get ready for winter. some of the banana i left in the ground and mulched over after frost. one made it, on didnt. i have 3 others now to deal with. i have others which have stayed small in pots that are reddish i usually keep them as house plants for the winter. i have to many plants to try to keep as house plants now so im thinking i need to store them in my basement for winter. im mostly concerned with the red abysinnian. do have to remove the leaves? this winter my 1 year old is just a little too active to have these plants all over the house. so i guess im looking to stick everything in the basement. i have a lot of non banana plants/trees to deal with also. small lemon tree, a few of those twisted up hibiscus trees, oleadner, 2 plumeria, and a bunch of bird of paradise. some of them are cheap but it all adds up and id like to save all that i can.

[CoryS]

Jamesdart,
I just finished digging all my banana plants up and potting them [just wish i hadn't waited till dark]. That included 2 red Absynnians [about 3 1/2 feet each], 3 Ice Creams, and 1 dwarf Cavendish. If you want them to be dormant [about 50-65*F] then you should prolly cut most of the leaves off and keep them in the dark. I read that light can cause them to come out of dormancy. I'm gonna leave mine warm [70-80*F] and not cut leaves off. One thing is certain, Absynnians get corm-rot very easy so I def wont water mine cept maybe a tiny bit once a month. Another thing is that Absynnians can get eaten fast by spider mites in the winter. If you think they might have mites, get them treated fast. And never put water or fertilizer directly on the corm. Anyway, it's def not a good idea to water or fertilize in the winter. Good luck and keep us posted on your progress! :)

[jamesdart]

i picked up that Absynnian this year about 3' tall, i put it in a big pot and it is now about 10' including the pot. i have been after one for a long time but never knew they grew that fast. i have plenty of room in my basement and it stays above freezing, im not sure about putting that sucker in my living room.

[hammer]

well i have had my fun for the day i got started this mornnig i dug dwarfcavendish dwarf reds red-greens bananas 30 in all it was easier than last year the dirt was dry just brush it off then i cut off all the leaves now just lay them out to dry for a few days. when it gets colder i will dig my apple and prayning hands and saba calfi gold .

[AV1611Corbin777]

yep yep spent the better half of the day digging up the nanners and other tropicals. Sad that it had to be so early.

Left out the Basjoos and Orinocos for a later date.
I under potted mine, hope they make it.

[justjoan]

Well the kids have been moved in to the spare bedroom and of course the temps will be in the 70's this week with upper 50's at night. We had a frost on Saturday morning temp on the deck was 31.6 so glad we moved them in early evening Friday. They are too big to take in and out so.....they are in a time out in their room until spring:waving:

[MediaHound]

Maybe this is just the moderator in me (I help run other forums)
but this thread is super informative and helpful. To make it a better reference for those of us in a cold zone, what would a moderator here at bananas.org think of weeding all but the most pertinant and helpful posts out of this thread?

Its a wonderful conversation string but at 13 pages it could be easily be knocked down to 5 pages if someone just weeds out the fluff and off topic posts ("thanks", "its getting warm", posts with just emoticons, etc.)

Doesn't have to go formal but would make it less of a bear to go through for the meat and potato's of it.

I would welcome anyone to extract the useful parts and insert that in our wiki (http://www.bananas.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Allpages) as more of a formal document to reference.
:2738:

[bigdog]

I would welcome anyone to extract the useful parts and insert that in our wiki (http://www.bananas.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Allpages) as more of a formal document to reference.
:2738:

I like that idea, Jarred. There are a lot of impertinent posts in this thread now, but at the same time there are still some newer posts that stay on topic. I'd like to keep the thread going like it is.

Frank

[tastyratz]

I think there are a lot of posts in this thread which could be useful in the wiki, but they are not necessarily fact or something that might translate well. If this were trimmed down to 5 pages it would look awfully out of place in a wiki in its current form, don't you think?
Testimony, one persons method deviation, and single person experience with a species are more "case law" than written.

I think a combination of the 2 would be an excellent idea. Anything that would work well in the wiki entered while the thread is also trimmed up.

[Jack Daw]

Maybe this is just the moderator in me (I help run other forums)
but this thread is super informative and helpful. To make it a better reference for those of us in a cold zone, what would a moderator here at bananas.org think of weeding all but the most pertinant and helpful posts out of this thread?

Its a wonderful conversation string but at 13 pages it could be easily be knocked down to 5 pages if someone just weeds out the fluff and off topic posts ("thanks", "its getting warm", posts with just emoticons, etc.)

Doesn't have to go formal but would make it less of a bear to go through for the meat and potato's of it.
If someone can definitely say what the meat and potato part is then maybe. But it would only solve the "problem" temporarily and somebody would have to do it all over again next year and the year after that, as more posts and people come to the forum.

It's a sticky thread already, that should hint everybody that there's much to be extracted from the thread and it's just up to the individuals to make the effort.

What I think would be more effective is, if someone, and again that's not definite, would like to collect the information, extract it, add pictures and post it to the site as a document file. This way you could even prepare the "beginner's package", i.e. something that every new forum member could find in his/her inbox as a basic extraction of the most important information on this (and other) respected topic.

Still, it would require lots of time and effort to do such a thing. And I'm not sure who would have that time and be willing to do that.

:2738:

I appreciate your idea and thanks for pointing it out.

[Bob]

Yeah this thread is pretty long now and with a lot of comments likely to stray off topic ( I should go back and check my own "contributions":ha:) Still for me growing in a colder zone its one of the greatest ever on the org and one I occaisionally.... like at this time of year when I'm about to turn my spine in to a pretzel shaped gelatinous mass... go back and read it in it's entirety and just skim over the fluff. I always reccomend it to newer members to read from first to last post.

For the record I'll be posting with pics in a couple of weeks when I try to cram all the bananas and ensetes into my tiny root cellar.

Not sure if it was mentioned in here but there was a web site posted around the org from Germany the past few years and I lost it when I got my new computer this year. Anyway this guy Roland had posted in it over the years a giant E. Maurelii and it turned out that it did much better stored upright so I did mine that way last year when my two foot tall plant turned in to this 6 ft monster ( it's about 14 overall):
http://i570.photobucket.com/albums/ss149/bob_075/DSCN0622.jpg
I'm planning on modifying the "Bigdog" technique to try and store these and the bigger bananas at least tilted upwards if not straight up and down and see if that helps improve survival and promote earlier growth than those left prone.

If anyone wanted to collaborate I'd be interested in helping prepare the most important points for the wiki.

[mbfirey]

I'll probably do the "upright" storage too- since I'm doing it in the garage and it could go either way...
I was pondering which way to go...

[colldp68]

I thought I'd share some pictures of my bananas grown in Zone 5, Western New York. I potted them up and brought in doors today.

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=37290&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=37290&ppuser=4932)

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=37292&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=37292&ppuser=4932)

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=37291&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=37291&ppuser=4932)

[PAbananas]

Put in a small root cellar for my nanas. When putting them inside do I wrap them with something ( I was thinking of using newspaper)? I no the cellar will get alittle damp, not much I can do to stop it. Does any think this my cause root or any other problems? if so, do you have any suggestions? I only saved 10 5' bananas because of space and left a couple in the ground just incase.Taller ones are just to heavey for me. Thanks in advance:

[Bob]

I think some humidity might actually be good for them and may even prevent the roots from drying ,but not sure I'd wrap them which would keep the psuedostems even wetter.

[bananarama2]

Back again! The main problem with overwintering plants is trying to put them into a state of "suspended animation" as it were, since the current conditions do not encourage or support active growth. With bananas, being tropicals that are probably 90% moisture, it's a tough call between preventing freezing and encouraging rot. Active growth stops around 14degrees C, so storing between maybe 5 to 10 degrees C would seem ideal, along with maintaining just enough moisture content to sustain green plant tissue survival would seem to be key. Peat moss works well for this, since it absorbs moisture, keeping the actual plant surfaces dry, but maintains a humid zone around the plants. Newspaper has a long history of being used just the same way, to pack around things to wick moisture away from surfaces. Keeping direct moisture away from the newspaper is important however. Packed around the corms of bananas in a suitable above freezing location could have real potential.....IMHO! Anything that might work to help banana survival for those who have to overwinter in cold climates!

[saltydad]

Well, I'm sitting down after watching the Yankee game and the weather report comes on. I haven't paid much attention the last few days as I was bringing my Mom back and forth to the doctors. I hear the weatherman say something about it going down to 34 F in the suburbs, which is where I live. I immediately start pulling in the plants on my patio. I got all the smaller plumeria inside in the basement where they will winter. I brought in all the potted palms- pygmy date palms, a Sabal tamaulipas and an unknown palmate palm that I took home after my sister's 50th birthday party. It was the table decoration, and was bought from HD, but no one remembers what variety, and it's not in one of their blue pots that denotes cold hardy. The sago got pulled in, along with both brugs (both have buds on them). The bougainvillea also came inside; I expect it to drop it's leaves as it usually does when I bring it in. It's in full bloom too. Now I have to see what else I can fit inside at midnight. Normally I spray everything a day or so in advance of the move, and lay down plastic over the carpet. This time it's just pull them inside. The irony is that it's going up to the 70's tomorrow! I've not dug any of my gingers, palms ( European fan palms and a large Butia capitata) or 12 varieties of bananas (not counting the basjoos, needle palms and windmill palms which stay out) yet. The caladiums and cannas and ee's are OK; they need the frost to help start the corm into dormancy. I also have a very large plumeria (7 foot tall) that is in bloom now. I winter it bare root on the basement floor, but I'll have to see if I can bring it in without knocking off all the leaves and blooms as I guess I'll be keeping it in the pot. I have a large double vertical wrought iron planter that has my mandevilleas in it. Guess they'll have to take their chances tonight as the planter is too big for me to bring in by myself. Wish me luck; it's already 39F. I really was caught short this year by the 1st frost. :-(

[Bob]

Same here Howard, lots of stuff still oustside including plumeria and the larger bananas in the ground . I brought most of the last porch plants in before it got dark and now just hoping we dont get that first frost tonight but it's not looking good. Tomorrow everything's getting dug for sure though I wont wrap the hardy plants for another month.

[Bob]

If you go back to the first post in this thread I'll quote Frank and say

"It's the time of year that I dread...time to dig up the bananas."

Now I understand Bigdog.......
Between last week and this I got all the smaller plants in the front porch and yesterday and today moved the heavyweights in to the root cellar for the winter. Here's some random shots of the "fun".

I could barely dig them nevermind move them with ease so the handtruck was essential:
http://i570.photobucket.com/albums/ss149/bob_075/DSCN0668-1.jpg

then they had to go up the stairs do get them back down underground in the root cellar fortunately I had help..... Swiss mountain dogs were bred and developed to pull heavy loads..... I got the slacker of the breed and she just watched:
http://i570.photobucket.com/albums/ss149/bob_075/DSCN0672.jpg
A Ca. gold and what was one dwarf namwah that I had to remove the "pup" just to be able to lift them and then used a plywood ramp to get them down to the stairs underneath the porch.
http://i570.photobucket.com/albums/ss149/bob_075/DSCN0670-1.jpg

Next up was the E. Maurelii in the driveway garden. I had to remove the Alocasias and do some other pruning to get things cleaned up.
http://i570.photobucket.com/albums/ss149/bob_075/DSCN0678.jpg



the leaves on these Ensetes are just huge... I'm 6' tall and can reach up about 8' here's one of the E. Glaucum leaves:
http://i570.photobucket.com/albums/ss149/bob_075/DSCN0677.jpg
I was stunned at the size of the base on the Maurelii! Here it is with a yardstick or scale.
http://i570.photobucket.com/albums/ss149/bob_075/DSCN0680.jpg

After a lot of work and sweat I finally got it on the handtruck and it was ready for the trip indoors for the winter. It is much heavier than it looks.....My chiropractor will verify this.

Sebastian here who weighs close to 120 lbs was no help either!
http://i570.photobucket.com/albums/ss149/bob_075/DSCN0684.jpg

Finally I got just about everything including the plumeria inside( broke my heart to dig it up because it was still blooming) but.... the heavy work's done till I get the joy of reversing the process in spring!
Here's a peek inside the "banana dungeon":
http://i570.photobucket.com/albums/ss149/bob_075/DSCN0687.jpg

[Dalmatiansoap]

Hat down Bob!
Impresive job done.
And I get nervous whan I have to relocate pots:ha::ha::ha:
:woohoonaner:

[The Hollyberry Lady]

WOW Bob! :eek:


Those are huge plants! Looks like backbreaking work! Hope you're ok after all of that...


and to think I thought my plants were big this year! :ha: Love your humorous comments about the dogs! :D Too funny that neither of them were any help at all.


Thanks for the great shots. All your stuff looks like it had a wonderful season. Good luck with all of them. Now that they're inside, the worst is over.


: )

[saltydad]

I still haven't dug anything yet, as I am trying to let my back recuperate from a strain earlier last week. However, a status report. Everything brought inside looks great. No dropped leaves or blooms (yet). Now the weird part. Everything still outside seems to have been unaffected by the cold temps the other night. The only ee to suffer was my Pink China, which was already shutting down for the season. The following ee's all are still doing fine, and some are blooming- Black Magic, LimeAde, Maui Magic, Mojito, Persian Palm, Lime Zinger, Hilo Beauty, Illustris, Teacup, Jack's Giant, gageana.The following bananas are also fine still in the ground- basjoo (of course), lasiocarpa (of course), Ensete Maurelli, ventricosum, and glauca, Siam Ruby, Orinoco, zebrina, DC, velutina, sikkim Darjeeling Giant, IC, Bordelon. The caladiums are all in the process of foliage dying. My large P. selloum is fine, as are the cannas and mandevilleas and tropical hibiscus and my large plumeria, which all continue to bloom. So I can continue to enjoy my jungle landscape for a bit more of the fall.

I am constantly amazed at the resilience of many of the tropical and subtropical plants. While all still need to be dug up and stored or potted up, it is reassuring to see such cold resistance to a single night of frost temps. Luckily it was not a wet night.

Way to go Bob; you put me to shame!

[tastyratz]

Ya know all of my bananas right now are small enough potters to fit in my basement with all leaves (one just barely)

My plan has been to leave all of the leaves and just stick them semidormant on a cement shelf by the foundation in front of a casement window.
I recently sprayfoam insulated my sill plate though and the uunfinished nheated basement is MUCH MUCH warmer than it was!

My guess is it wont get below 50 down there now if not staying more towards 58 or so normally.

I wonder if that's going to be a problem for me and the dinky casement window?.
I'm in nh z5/6 so I don't have much of a middleground unfortunately

[bananarama2]

Three persons to acknowledge in one topic post.....

Firstly, Bob, you are truly the epitome of dedication! You put many of us to shame with the amount of effort you put into your hobby! We are not worthy!:bananas_b

Saltydad, ...I think there's a fine line with cold and humidity and how it affects tender plants. We occasionally have light frosts here on Vancouver Island, but due to the high humidity, I have yet to see actual frost damage. The same temperatures and dry air would burst the cells of the plants, killing the tissues. The high humidity actually produces a sort of insulating blanket on plants here, so the frosts don't seem to have a damaging effect. Sometimes good to -3 or -4 Celsius without harm as a result. Your high humidity with the Atlantic hurricane season may have improved your survival rates. Interesting!:08:

Tastyratz, ....I'd be very interested to hear in the spring how your setup for this year works out. It sounds like it may have real potential. I think you could easily hang a flourescent light or two, and maybe a fan for air circulation, and have a winning solution to overwintering bananas and similar tropicals. Best of luck with it!:03:

[cheson74]

I dug up 2 Ensete Maurellis, cut off but 1 leaf on each plant. Then I wrapped each in a fleece blanket. They both got stored in the crawl space under the house. Hopefully both will make through the winter. Both were 2 large to bring inside. Below is one of the plants. I bought them both from Sandy and both were tiny compared to what they are now!

I potted up the SDC's, a Soba and Praying Hands. They were brought inside and placed under some fluorescent lights in my office. I'll take some pictures of the setup later.

Taken around 10 July 2010

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=37810&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=37810)

Taken this past weekend

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=37788&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=37788)

[saltydad]

Rik- thanks for the post. You're exactly right about humidity. When I managed a garden center, we would turn on the sprinklers on the annuals when we were due a frost; the ice so formed would insulate as snow does.

[PAbananas]

BOB Unbelivable. A few questions if you don't mind. Some of you plants are lying down and some upright and none wrapped. Do you have any problem with drying out? My winters are cold and I am not sure what I am doing. Last year I built 5' enclosers around all my bananas and filled them with mulch. It worked ok but 15 yards of mulch is not cheap. This is my first year in a cold cellar and cold use all the advice I can get. I dug all but 2 bananas to put in the cellar. My one mistake was I poured a floor in the cellar instead of leaving it dirt. I don't no if thats going to cause a problem? I hope not.

[Max363]

When I started with my banana "hobby" a few years back, in the fall I dealt with 2-3' DCs, baby bords and seedling and seed grown ensetes. Now as the years have passed, I founnd myself wrestling with giants today that are my size and almost weigh as much as me! How did that happen? ;-) ... LOL
Even though this bed would a great display for halloween night - I was too chicken to risk it with one TV station saying Fri nite's low will be 30 while the Weather Channel is saying saying 37!
<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj266/maxx94/FALL2010082.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj266/maxx94/BordWhl9-4-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj266/maxx94/FALL2010071.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>


<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj266/maxx94/FALL2010087.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

From 5" to "big enough for my petite self" to hide behind in 20 months!!

<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj266/maxx94/FALL2010094.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

[PAbananas]

Max It aint going to get much warmer this week. I don't no what part of the berg your from. I used to work in 15237 on Mcnightmare rd. Would like to no more about growing in this area. Any suggestions would help

[tastyratz]

was 20 degrees last night, so officially moved it all in.
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y126/tastyratz/personal/House/plants/IMG_0572.jpg
Here we are nestled in the basement with the big trachy fortunei and the trachycarpus wagnerianus babies. We have the big basjoo with pup, and several lasiocarpa and sikkimensis from sandy. Next year? All in the ground.
This year was easy with everything being potted outside although man are there gnats!

It was getting so cold the stopped growing. Look at the white stem upper right corner... it wasn't there before they went inside!

Think 1 t5 grow light on a timer would do it for these guys next to that casement window?

[bikoro child]

Hem are you sure that the one with pup is a basjoo?

[tastyratz]

I purchased it from texas traders, they seemed pretty legitimate? Here is another photo of it a month ago
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y126/tastyratz/personal/House/plants/basjoo92310.jpg
What leads you to believe its not a basjoo?

[bananarama2]

I like the setup Kurt. They'll definitely want more light than the window can provide, but one decent light will probably do in the space you have there. Now you just have to watch to maintain enough moisture and humidity to keep them all chugging along through the winter without encouraging rot and fungus. I'd still give some thought to providing a fan of some sort for air circulation, and besides, it'll pee off the gnats at the same time! I do think you are spoiling them a little bit with the stereo however! Keep us posted on your success with this setup please.:08:

[saltydad]

OK, I finally caved in and dug up all my bananas except the basjoos. My back is killing me and I have to go to my brother's store and borrow a dolly. These Ensete glaucas get really damn heavy and big (and mine is about 1/2 the size of Bob's). Some will be potted up, and some (the Ensetes and the dc's) will be stored bare root. I'll post some shots later; I'm still bringing in the smaller ones before dark.

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=38131&size=1

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=38129&size=1

The E. glauca, even after cutting off the leaves, was still over 7 feet of p-stem! It was too heavy for me to lift on my own, so like Bob I used a dolly!

[PAbananas]

Quick question. Whren you put them up bare root due they turn brown? Due you have to keep giving them light? Mine are in the cellar and are turning brown. Just curious

[Dalmatiansoap]

What leads you to believe its not a basjoo?
Basjoo is complete green and doesnt have any talk on stem. Take a close pic of leaf petiole for more possitive ID.

[saltydad]

Yes, they do turn brown. Mine are in a basement with light; I think it will be better in the darkness, and cooler than my heated basement.

[tastyratz]

Your making me nervous that I am wasting time/$ on a plant that will be hardiest lol.
I started a new thread to not clutter this one anymore with off topic posting.

Basjoo confirm? - Bananas.org (http://www.bananas.org/showthread.php?p=146460)

[saltydad]

If yours is a basjoo (and someone more expert than me will have to help here- Gabe?), I always leave it out for the winter. I have 2 large clumps now. However, you live in NH, and I hear tell you all get a tad more colder weather than we do here! LOL! So if you do try to overwinter it outdoors, use lots of mulch. I use 2 feet of straw.

[tastyratz]

Next year they all go and stay in the ground. I agree basjoo is fine protected.

I had it shipped with a late start and wanted it to become a little more established before I tried overwintering anything. I also wanted to leave the leaves for a head start towards a monster next year.

I plan to overwinter the basjoo sikkemensis and lasiocarpa in the ground next year. I have so many now actually I think I will experiment with similar microclimates and maybe 1 planted a foot deeper than the rest side by side, or maybe different forms of protection.

[Bob]

BOB Unbelivable. A few questions if you don't mind. Some of you plants are lying down and some upright and none wrapped. Do you have any problem with drying out? My winters are cold and I am not sure what I am doing. Last year I built 5' enclosers around all my bananas and filled them with mulch. It worked ok but 15 yards of mulch is not cheap. This is my first year in a cold cellar and cold use all the advice I can get. I dug all but 2 bananas to put in the cellar. My one mistake was I poured a floor in the cellar instead of leaving it dirt. I don't no if thats going to cause a problem? I hope not.

I inherited my root cellar with the house and it has a poured floor in the walkway in the middle and dirt on the sides. I would have prefered to stand them all up but didn't have room. I learned this from a site I couldn't read in German from some guy who was one of my early cold weather growing "idols". I gathered from looking at the pics of his plants over the years that the Ensete's in particular tended to rot when layed down. Frank who started this thread years ago has had great success just laying bananas down in a crawl space so I'm not sure if they're as prone to rot as the Ensetes. Yes they do tend to desicate some over winter but I wonder if wrapping the roots in a damp towel may help? I'm really not sure and I've only been doing this for about 2 years now so am still learning and never afraid to experiment. I've been pleasantly surprised at being successful with things I've been told or read couldn't be done.
Here's a link from this year to that site I mentioned in German but well worth looking over every picture to get what you can out of it. It has the past years photos too that I mentioned.

Bananen, Anregungen u. Tips. (http://www.bananenhobby.de/)

Howard I love the huge bases on the Ensete's and now know why our old pal Tog was the Ensete Nut. I bet yours flowers next year.

[natej740]

Im gonna try to store a basjoo, Ensete ventricosum 'Maurelii' and a Ensete ventricosum. My basement stays around 60 to 65 is that to warm?

<a href=http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=38189><img src=http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=38189&size=1 border=0></a>

<a href=http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=38188><img src=http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=38188&size=1 border=0></a>

[willy1der]

I overwinter my maurelii at around 65 last year,it did much better than those I have in my cold room at around 40.The past 2 winters Ive taken my ventricosum to a green house for the winter and this year its just too big to fit in my veichle so its going dormant with the others!!!

[saltydad]

Nate, my naners stay in the same room as my furnace, so you know they're warm, and while a few didn't make it bare root from last year, most did fine. The victims? M. ornata bronze and purple, Saba, and a Burmese Blue.

[Jack Daw]

Nate, my naners stay in the same room as my furnace, so you know they're warm, and while a few didn't make it bare root from last year, most did fine. The victims? M. ornata bronze and purple, Saba, and a Burmese Blue.
I discarded the free root ball storing. It works only for almost mature plants and I can't seem to find the threshold. So unless they reach 2m, they will be potted in a quasi pot. It's the best and safest bet.

After losing almost half my army, I don't wanna risk the dead plants again.

[Blake09]

Check out this thread:
http://www.bananas.org/f15/time-has-come-12898.html



YouTube - Overwintering bananas (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqPkEV7P8YI)




.

[bananarama2]

This is a variation on existing posts, with similar values. However, I would make a note that most of the barrels of this type are used to store toxic chemicals (if not to humans, then your bananas), so be certain they are thoroughly and carefully washed out. Secondly, without some sort of mulch to protect the soft tissues of the banana from freezing, this is not much more than building a different refrigerator for the bananas. Without mulch to surround the p-stem, this would only be effective in areas without significant freezing temperature days. My two-bits....:08:

[Blake09]

The barrels are thoroughly washed out, then they sat open for a month, then I wahd them out again before I put the bananas in. The barrels are packed with straw on the inside too, so I think that ime good.

:lurk:


.

[tastyratz]

agreed, it definitely needs insulation.

With blue barrels like that though you might try getting some tacky spray on adhesive (car headliner adhesive comes to mind) and spray it on the paper side of some fiberglass insulation. Then glue the insulation to the barrel. If you get the right thickness you can probably fill most of the barrel with insulation and still leave an inch or 2 of space for the pstem not to rot.

I think as long as whatever chemicals were previously stored in there... as long as they are not aromatic like gas etc you don't have to worry about them leeching into the banana because there is no real soil contact to absorb.

[bananarama2]

Glad to hear you were planning some sort of insulation, although it wasn't stated in your first post. You know what happens when you assume, so I didn't want to take the chance. That being said, yours would seem to be a viable approach to helping the bananas through the winter. Good luck with it!:08:

[NJ Banana]

Hello All,

I have a California Gold that was planted early last year. The stem is about 4-5' tall. I had 4 pups that I cut off about 3 weeks ago and put in planters for indoor overwintering. I planned on keeping the main plant outdoors w/protection for overwintering but I realized yesterday that the p-stem has some pretty good movement to it.. I think that it was probably a stupid idea to remove all of the pups at the same time (Newby-Sorry)... Anyway, what are the thoughts about how that would/would not affect overwintering in the ground?

PS- I cut all of the leaves off, I planned on making a 2' to 3' circle out of bubble wrap and filling with mulch. Then taking a final piece of b-wrap and covering the top.. Completely sealed..

Any thoughts? Adam

[Bob]

If it's your only one it was probaby a good idea to remove some pups. How was the root developement on them and how big were they? Jeff Earl has said that it is the first to start growing in spring and does so about the same time as musa basjoo but I believe he's in zone 8 and"only" gets down to the mid 20's F in his local. Still I was thinking of taking one of mine and trying to do the same up here just for an experiment but, I have several ( That I'm tired of digging up:ha:). Please keep us posted on this.

[bananarama2]

I personally like the idea of bubble wrap, since it is waterproof if applied properly, plus will tend to moderate temperatures because of the air pockets, preventing extreme swings on sunny v.s. cooler days. I would also strongly advocate a dry mulch to help keep moisture and rot at bay. My thoughts on the pups and resultant looseness of the rootmass of the parent.....It would have been better to remove the pups earlier in the season, to give the parent time to re-establish some roots. For now, I'd put down a thick mulch layer to help the parent continue with some limited root growth (keeping the soil area warmer), and don't give away all your pups, in case you have problems wintering over the parent. Maybe you'll be lucky, and the parent won't even notice! Good luck!:08:

[NJ Banana]

Has anyone else had any luck with overwintering a California Gold in the zone 7ish area?

I want to leave it in the ground with protection but if it looks as though it has a good chance of dying I would prefer to bring it in.

Adam

[Bob]

You mentioned it was 4 or 5 ' tall. Is that the p-stem height or the overall plant? I'd say its marginal either way but the bigger the better.

[hammer]

Has anyone else had any luck with overwintering a California Gold in the zone 7ish area?

I want to leave it in the ground with protection but if it looks as though it has a good chance of dying I would prefer to bring it in.

AdamI have with no care my calif gold went thruough dormancy well with no rot last winter.

[Cpatrikis]

Hello all,

I realize this thread is very old, however it is one of the most informative out of the bunch. I would like to start by stating i am honored to be the first post of 2011!

Now its time for business! I have what i believe strongly to be a musa basjoo nana plant that has been through 2 outdoor summers (with the rest of its time indoors because i live in a zone 7 on Long Island NY).

I have posted on a few threads earlier this fall about wintering my plant and trying to figure out what to do with it this year now that its height (with leaves still attached) is about 10 feet or so.

Every other year, i would bring the plant inside and put it under a plant growth bulb on a timer during the colder months, watering and misting it keeping it growing slowly throughout the year. this year however, i needed to find a different approach because it is too tall for the ceilings in my house. after posting and reading responses from other threads, i determined it would be alright to put the basjoo in my garage for the winter because it is usually around 40 degrees or so.

I have wrapped the trunk of the plant with towels to keep it as warm as possible, and the garage door has been closed unless cars were going in or out. although the garage is not heated, the plant has seemed to be doing fine without any light or water since mid october or so... that is until this past monday 1/10/11 when i discovered that all the leaves stems have creased/ folded and dropped to its sides (became to heavy to hold up). i believe this is due to the harsh winter we have been experiencing here in NY the past month or so, and i imagine the 2 blizzards in the past week haven't helped much at all.

When i noticed the plant in this state, i put a thermometer in the garage with the door closed and after some time it read 39 degrees mid day, however im assuming it must have reached lower temps than that at night during some of the harsh snow storms.

When i examined it, some parts of the trunk that weren't wrapped with towels (because leaves were in the way) seemed to have wrinkled a bit, but the trunk didnt feel frozen what so ever.

when i noticed what happened to the plant, i cut all the leaves but 2 off, and brought it inside, and gave it a little water to wet the roots and rehydrate the trunk.

what im asking all you experts is to take a look at the information and pictures i will post and tell me if you think the plant will still shoot new leaves come springtime when it goes back outdoors.

im not sure if the two leaves that are currently on the plant will survive, because they too have folded and creases. if these two leaves also come off how exactly will the plant be able to soak up sunlight for photosynthesis?

Im just a little worried and i guess i need some reassurance.

Thanks in advance!



These links are to different pics of the plant as of yesterday before cutting most leaves off (pics in found in my photo gallery).

also, sorry i didnt know how to actually post the pictures in this message, i tried but it didnt work. hope this isnt too annoying!



Banana Gallery - IMG_3187 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=39804&cat=500&ppuser=4143)

Banana Gallery - IMG_3189 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=39805&cat=500&ppuser=4143)

Banana Gallery - IMG_31881 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=39806&cat=500&ppuser=4143)

Banana Gallery - IMG_31901 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=39808&cat=500&ppuser=4143)

Banana Gallery - IMG_3193 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=39809&cat=500&ppuser=4143)

Banana Gallery - IMG_31921 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=39810&cat=500&ppuser=4143)

Banana Gallery - IMG_31912 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=39807&cat=500&ppuser=4143)

Banana Gallery - IMG_3196 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=39811&cat=500&ppuser=4143)

Banana Gallery - IMG_3198 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=39814&cat=500&ppuser=4143)

Banana Gallery - IMG_3200 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=39815&cat=500&ppuser=4143)

Banana Gallery - IMG_3199 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=39816&cat=500&ppuser=4143)

Banana Gallery - IMG_3195 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=39812&cat=500&ppuser=4143)




Following pics are after bringing inside and cutting all leaves but two...



Banana Gallery - IMG_3202 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=39818&cat=500&ppuser=4143)

Banana Gallery - IMG_3201 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=39817&cat=500&ppuser=4143)

Banana Gallery - IMG_3203 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=39820&cat=500&ppuser=4143)

Banana Gallery - IMG_32061 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=39822&cat=500&ppuser=4143)

Banana Gallery - IMG_3205 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=39821&cat=500&ppuser=4143)

Banana Gallery - IMG_3201 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=39817&cat=500&ppuser=4143)

Banana Gallery - IMG_3207 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=39803&cat=500&ppuser=4143)

Banana Gallery - IMG_32081 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=39802&cat=500&ppuser=4143)

Banana Gallery - IMG_3209 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=39801&cat=500&ppuser=4143)


Thanks guys! any advise/ reassurance would be great!

[bananarama2]

Well Chris, I'm sorry that your plans to overwinter your plant in the garage didn't work our as anticipated. Assuming the plant did not actually freeze at some time (darkened, soft tissue would be evident), my guess is that the plant simply shut down metabolically for the year, due to low temperatures and no watering. If it is "stored" in a place that will still support even minimal growth, it will require some basic light and water. The yellowing of the main stem and the dull color of the leaves suggests that the plant has gone dormant. If that is so, then you should be able to cut back the main stem until you encounter fresh growth, at which time you might consider moving to a warmer, well lit location, and begin light watering again. Alternately, at this point, overwinter in a cool, dry location with the root corm protected from moisture and freezing temperatures. :2738:

[Kostas]

Your banana is just showing cold damage from exposure to below 0C temperatures,nothing more and nothing to be concerned about unless it reaches mid 20sF in the garage for hours. If not,just put it back in the garage and it will be ok till spring. There was no need to cut folded leafs as although folded,they show that a good portion of them was ok and they would be at least partially functional. My Blue Java was exposed to -3C overnight plus snowstorm and close to 0C for a day and it still retains green tissue on some of its folded leafs. They don't die just because they folded ;)
If you want overwintering to be easier on it and to start growing already,you could place a strong fluorescent light over it in your house and you wont believe how fast it will grow! But this growth will probably burn when you place it outside in the sun again.

[Bob]

Yeah it's been super cold in the area recently but , all in all I think your basjoo looks fine and you're doing very well with it. Likely it will just start regrowing leaves as soon as you plant it out and by June you wont remember all these mid winter shots at all.

[lcweber69]

It's the time of year that I dread...time to dig up the bananas. For those of us in colder zones with no greenhouse, we have to do it in order to ever get fruit. Everybody has their own methods of overwintering bananas.
Hi Frank!!
I have no idea if you'll even see this post-not sure when you posted the one I'm replying to.
I'm z5 and have many bananas on my deck in huge planters. Musa Basjoo is one kind, Ensete Maurelii is another. They are 15 to 18 ft tall, many pups in the pots, this is their second summer with me, as last fall I pulled them into the house, put them under 'grow lights' and they survived well enough as 'house plants' to bring them out this spring.
I origionally wanted to ask the question is it too late to put them into the ground and mulch them,(too late as in they wouldn't have time to become established) I really don't trust that, and when I saw your photos of how you 'cleaned them up', well, now this is a whole new story.
#1, What do you mean 'store them under your house'?? Do you put them in peat moss, like canna tubers? Can I get them out of their pots, cut them as you did,( but cut the whole stalk down), clean the roots, and put them into bins in my cool basement over winter?? If I can store them this way it'd be wonderful. My Ensete Maurelii is huge, and there is no way I can get her into my studio this year. Please, even if your not Frank, if anyone knows the answers, HELP!!! :goteam:

[tastyratz]

time to dig? its august! I'm in zone 5 too and things are just getting going!

Personally I like to wait to see a little bit of leaf damage before digging. I think the set back stunts growth and makes the plant resist growing indoors with minimal light.
I overwintered all of my plants in my fairly warm basement last year in front of a too small window and with 2 small 18w florescent lights. I can tell you from last year's terrible experience (most died) how I was thinking I would change things this year:

-I had a nasty gnat and root aphid problem bringing outside plants inside. I tried bayer tree and shrup insecticide diluted and sprayed on the leaves this year and it nuked all the baddies magically. Yes it is bad for the soil food web but aphids really are a bother to me and japanese beetles WERE tearing my ensete apart. This year I will strong dose all of my plants prior to them coming in and over the winter. This does not take care of spider mites but as long as you give your plants a visual check you can easily nip them before they get bad with soap/oil.

-Lighting. You are more likely to kill off from too much heat ratio to light than too much light. This year I will install 2 4 foot fixtures over the plant areas and run on long timers. Hope that is enough my basement is around 65f. It is too warm to stay dormant but hopefully the light keeps them only weak active.

-cut down on fert earlier. I might even shake off the rich organic dirt for the most part before bringing everything in and bag the roots.

-spray leaves down with some sort of anti desiccant. The roots will rot from the moisture they don't absorb but the leaves will still dry themselves out, ESPECIALLY palms.

-My smaller plants will be living in a bay window this year.


What was mentioned before was for individuals who store their dormant plants underneath their house someplace or in some other protected area that will be slightly warmer than away from the house. Some people definitely just bin up their plants in the basement. I have seen some good photos of someone who cut their ensete down to trunk and bare rooted it in the basement. Nothing wrong with bare root storage if you are staying dormant.

[lcweber69]

I am not sure if Tastyratz was responding to my post, but I must not have made myself clear. Sorry. My bananas are on my deck in huge planters, not in the ground. I was origionally wondering if they'd have time to become established before cold comes, if I were to attempt to overwinter them outside. But then I read the post (and saw the pics) of someone (can't remember his member name but his name is Frank) of a bunch of bananas he'd dug up and cleaned off as one would canna or an EE. These he'd stored under his house.
I would like to get these out of the pots, as they are way way to big now to try to get into my studio (as I did last year ) and store them dormant in my cool basement. Last winter I kept 5 musa pups, origionally around 3ft tall, in pots, under several 4ft jump start grow lights, with no problem other than they started really growing tall by May!! My Ensete Murelii I also brought in and after having removed all but the center leaf, put her in the same room, in front of an east facing window, the only large window I have. At the time, she was around 10ft tall. By May, she looked a little ratty, but really exploded this summer on my deck. She's now at least 14ft, and way too big to try bringing in to over winter. But can I get these out of the pots, and store them bareroot dormant in a cool dark place??:confused:

[saltydad]

I store most of my bananas bare root in the basement leaning up against the wall. As a result, my E. glauca flowered this year. I find that the smaller ones don't do as well bare root; these I pot up but only water about 2 or 3 times during the winter. My basement is not cool in the winter due to the furnace's radiant heat. There is minimal light from 2 small windows. I also overwinter my ee's, cannas, and caladiums here. And there is not enough time to establish your plants in the ground now. If you have basjoo, plant them out as soon as the nights are in the 50's. Mulch them well the first winter or so; I used straw bales. Of course, I'm in zone 7a and you're 5, so maybe someone from that area can advise on keeping basjoo out in the winter.I did keep a dwarf cav in a pot in my living room near a large bay window and it did fine.

[oakshadows]

We have a 30 foot long concrete block wall tha faces south. Intend to plant sensetiver bananas there an build a lean-to type covering for them. We enjoy some days below 32 degrees but not many and not for extended times. If it looks like the temps might get too low we will install some type of heat, lights or maybe even a small electric heater. If we take the time to monitor this we can use timer to control heat and will as usual loose many hours of sleep checking up on the situation.

[lcweber69]

I store most of my bananas bare root in the basement leaning up against the wall. As a result, my E. glauca flowered this year. I find that the smaller ones don't do as well bare root; these I pot up but only water about 2 or 3 times during the winter. My basement is not cool in the winter due to the furnace's radiant heat. There is minimal light from 2 small windows. I also overwinter my ee's, cannas, and caladiums here. And there is not enough time to establish your plants in the ground now. If you have basjoo, plant them out as soon as the nights are in the 50's. Mulch them well the first winter or so; I used straw bales. Of course, I'm in zone 7a and you're 5, so maybe someone from that area can advise on keeping basjoo out in the winter.I did keep a dwarf cav in a pot in my living room near a large bay window and it did fine.

Thanks Saltydad. I want to store my basjoo's bareroot in my basement. Can I do that? Also, can I do the same with my Ensete Maurelii's??

[sunfish]

We have a 30 foot long concrete block wall tha faces south. Intend to plant sensetiver bananas there an build a lean-to type covering for them. We enjoy some days below 32 degrees but not many and not for extended times. If it looks like the temps might get too low we will install some type of heat, lights or maybe even a small electric heater. If we take the time to monitor this we can use timer to control heat and will as usual loose many hours of sleep checking up on the situation.

Just a over head cover even shade cloth makes a big difference.Keeping the soil on the dry side during the winter is a good thing

[saltydad]

Thanks Saltydad. I want to store my basjoo's bareroot in my basement. Can I do that? Also, can I do the same with my Ensete Maurelii's??

You can indeed do this with the Maurelli, although this spring my Maurelli failed to wake up and slowly died after planting. However, the glauca did fine, and was a bigger plant. I have never stored basjoo, always left them out, so you'll have to see if anyone else has experience indoors with them. Good luck.

[john_ny]

Basjoos that I have in the ground, I overwinter in place, by mulching, covering with leaves, straw, and, finally, a tarp over the whole thing. Two years ago, I had some basjoos in pots. I took them out, shook most of the soil off the roots, and put them in a a black garbage bag. I put another garbage bag over the tops, and placed them in my basement. The only heat in this room is an electric heater, built into the wall. It's expensive to run, so we only turn it on when we are it the room, which is rarely. It gets to about 50°F in there. I gave the plants no water, from November 5 to April 5. They did fine. Last year, I was even lazier. I just dragged the pots inside, put a garbage bag over the tops, and left them. Again, no water and, again they did fine.

I have not tried these methods with any other varieties. I usually kep others growing over the winter, in bay windows, or in the warm part of the cellar, (where the boiler is) under fluorescent lights.

[NeedForSeed]

Good to know that you can store basjoos bare rooted in the basement, but I was wondering how big they should be in order to survive the winter dormant. I have a basjoo which isn't more than 2 feet high atm and I'm not sure what to do with it this winter because I think it's too small to mulch and leave outside.

[Prometheus]

I wish I could offer more help than look for advice, but my overwintering successes have been few. I did get a basjoo back (no pseudostem, but 4 pups, 2 of which took off fast). I planted 4 other mailorder TC starter Basjoos around them and a TC Mekong Giant. They're still pretty small, but I plan on leaving them in this winter (they're only about 1.5'-2' tall). I just heavily composted on top last year, but this fall I'm prepared to build a taj mahal around them if I must. I'm sure I'll keep you all posted when the time comes (and most likely seek advice). Time will tell if the first year Mekong Giant can handle a SE Michigan winter. I did just pot up all my other surviving nanners that were in the ground so they can get a little late summer growth (good soil) and get cozy before I throw them in the basement (plenty of time though). I'm going to bite the electrical bill bullet this winter and put them under lights (have a 4X2 8 bulb T5, a 2X2 8 bulb T5, and a 600W MH/HPS. I refuse to lose another due to my ineptitude, yet need to figure out the minimum lighting I need to keep them alive until spring.
Was it too early to pot them up in my zone (5/6)? Good timing? I'm just curious.
Anyhow - here's some pics of a few of my many babies in the back yard. Thanks.
--Brad


Here's the basjoo patch - the big ones came up from last year's pseudostem, and the little tiny guy on the right is the Mekong - will he make it? - hmmm....
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=45358&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=45358&ppuser=5599)

1st year growth Ensete Maurelii's by the vege garden (just potted up)-
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=45359&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=45359&ppuser=5599)

My Truly Tiny and his newest pup - I've taken 4 pups off him so far - pup looks to be in a little transplant shock
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=45363&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=45363)

My mystery guy
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=45357&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=45357&ppuser=5599)

[oakshadows]

Although the climate here is quite bit warmer the plants will still have to be protected. Garage is full of machineery so it is out, will have to keep them in the screenroom. No heat in there so I intend to fabricate a storage area that I can heat. My plans are to make a frame out of lumber and then staple bubble wrap on this. The front will be hinged and there will be room for a small heater. Since the temps don't drop low too often this should not be of too much expense. Fortunately the whole room, 12 x 24, is for my use and there is no furniture in there, just growing station and benchs. In hopes that this task isn't too large. Will post some pics when complete.

[nanasnanax3]

This is a nice thread, super explanation but if I leave my babies in their container, take of the yellowed leaved can I cover them with something and leave them in my sunroom? My basement is semi-finished and stays pretty toasty and my husband works in the garage so we keep it pretty warm too so their isnt really a warm place in the house. I have a portable greenhouse that I could keep it in but i dont believe it would be dark enough to 'put them to sleep' ...suggestions please, I am a total newbie

[nanasnanax3]

btw, here's the last pic i took of my babies in July (before some of the leaves started to turn yellow) and what am I supposed to do with the little plants sprouting up? (I suppose those are pups!) should I pot them and let them hang out in my window through the winter or leave them with the rest of the plant?
<a href=http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=45745&ppuser=9664><img src=http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=45745&size=1 border=0></a>

[chong]

btw, here's the last pic i took of my babies in July (before some of the leaves started to turn yellow) and what am I supposed to do with the little plants sprouting up? (I suppose those are pups!) should I pot them and let them hang out in my window through the winter or leave them with the rest of the plant?
<a href=http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=45745&ppuser=9664><img src=http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=45745&size=1 border=0></a>

Nice specimen. Personally, I would leave them in the pot with the rest over the Winter, then divide them up, leaving a couple of the smallest pup with the mother plant in the late Spring before they start to take off.

[orinoko]

Great tut Frank, thanks!

:nanadrink::woohoonaner::08::lurk:

[NJ Banana]

Hello All,

I have a basjoo that is starting to flower in NJ in the Month of October..

This is the trees 2nd year (over wintered them in the ground last year).

I know this sounds lame but I really want to see the bananas on one of my trees.. Fruits of my Labor-- No Pun..

How long does the flower to fruit take?

Adam

[tastyratz]

I can't answer that question, but maybe have helpful ideas?

ya know if you REALLY want to extend the season... I wonder if you could wrap the tree with old non led rope lights? Might look weird but Orange lights would look less out of place in october than a blooming banana tree in the north?

Maybe some black trash bags over the roots to keep extra water from rotting it and getting what sun heat remains? could put another rope light under the bag too...

[saltydad]

Prometheus- your mystery naner looks to me like a Musa zebrina.

[Prometheus]

Prometheus- your mystery naner looks to me like a Musa zebrina.

Thanks. Right now it looks like a nanner that didn't like the 36 degree night the other night. Hopefully should bounce back in the next week with 70's expected every day. Everything else, ensetes included, fine. That fella, no dice.

[iz]

Thanks bigdog. Pictures means a 1000 words..

[NJ Banana]

Hello,

I am posting here as it seems the most active.

This is my Musa Basjoo located in NJ. It is the second year of growth and I found out it was fruiting back on the 5th of October. I can really see the difference in growth from the warmer days/nights to the colder day/nights..

I really want to see the entire bunch of bananas out and grown.. Not ripened just to their full size.

Anyone have any ideas on helping it to continue to grow at an accelerated speed? would a garbage bag at night maybe help?

Any ideas are welcome..

Thanks Adam

[scottu]

Wish I could help you but, you are obviously further along the banana road than me.
It is so nice to see fruit on a banana, especially musa basjoo,(because I have a few) this far north.
Good luck and please keep us informed on how it goes.

[Prometheus]

Any help here would be appreciated.

I'm all ready to build my insulating taj mahal. Here's my filled shopping list:
Just added some fresh compost.
I have 5 bales of straw and about 20 bags of leaves.
I have a plastic fence and 4 foot high poles to secure it.
I have a tarp.

Questions:
Should I wrap the stems in something (burlap/bubble wrap/etc.)?
Should I wait until frost kills some leaves? When should I do this? I'm in SE Michigan.
I'm concerned with the top (leaving room to grow) - any advice?
Not sure how to deal with the room under the deck and/or the stone wall?
I figure wrap the pseudostems, cram straw in around, surround with bags of leaves, and tarp it off.
I have some pretty small fellas, so I really need this to be warm, warm, warm. Thanks in advance for any advice.

Fresh compost:
<a href=http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=46513&ppuser=5599><img src=http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=46513&size=1 border=0></a>

Ready to Go?
<a href=http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=46515&ppuser=5599><img src=http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=46515&size=1 border=0></a>

[nannerfunboi]

prometheus, only nanner im leaving out this winter (utah here) is
basjoo.. ive read from others in northern states that the basjoo gets
a better start next yr..and you dont loose all the growth from previous
yr..
sounds good your approach on overwintering..only thing i am not doing
is wrapping the pseudostem separately..
im going to form a wire wrap 4ft away from my basjoo clumps
filling with mix of straw/shredded leaves..pack it in.. then wrap the
wire with tarp..and make sure the tarp slopes away from the banana..
so any water runoff doesnt go to the pseudostem..(prevent to much
water and rot)
i keep all my other nanners bareroot in cold basement..
sounds like ya have a great plan !!!
good luck to ya !!!
:goteam:

[wilson1963]

Musa 2011 pictures by wilson1963 - Photobucket (http://s287.photobucket.com/albums/ll121/wilson1963/Musa%202011/)

Yep, It's time again.... ugh!

[wilson1963]

Covered mine like this, worked great last year.

Musa 2011 pictures by wilson1963 - Photobucket (http://s287.photobucket.com/albums/ll121/wilson1963/Musa%202011/)

[iz]

what zone are you in?

[BananaLee]

Hey guys! OK I kinda forgot when to cut it down. lol Well, my 'Mekong's Giant' (Intinerans) is doing well. All leaves except the nearly unraveled one have a little frost damage. Should I cut it down now or what???

[stevelau1911]

I finally got around to protecting my musa basjoo stems. Here's my blog on it.
Steve's garden: Protecting the bananas and some of the other plants for winter (http://stevesbamboogarden.blogspot.com/2011/11/protecting-bananas-and-some-of-other.html)

Hopefully it protects it up to 3feet of psuedostem so that they come back strong next year.

[bencelest]

wow. nice

[iz]

Banana Gallery - banana outside (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=46993&cat=1920)

Banana Gallery - Making containers for my banana (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=46987&nocache=1)

Banana Gallery - winterized banana (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=46990)

Banana Gallery - winterized banana (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=46992)

Banana Gallery - winterized banana (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=46988)

So glad I just finished winterizing my last bananas. Gonna be cold tonight between 30s and 40.

[Richard]

Banana Gallery - banana outside (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=46993&cat=1920)

Banana Gallery - Making containers for my banana (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=46987&nocache=1)

Banana Gallery - winterized banana (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=46990)

Banana Gallery - winterized banana (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=46992)

Banana Gallery - winterized banana (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=46988)

So glad I just finished winterizing my last bananas. Gonna be cold tonight between 30s and 40.

Your photos are a good reminder of how much yellow hue is output by HID lamps.

[iz]

Is the 'Mekong's Giant' (Intinerans) edible? Interesting plant..no picture?

[iz]

Your photos are a good reminder of how much yellow hue is output by HID lamps.

These are 'enhanced spectrum' digital 400 and 250 hps lights from Hid Hut (HidHut Website). They are amazing! We have used them many times over the years.

My hubby is a software and electrical engineer, and he is building me a new LED Growlight that uses 3W leds and some custom power circuit thingy he designed for our solar system. He says it will be finished soon so I will let you know how it turns out. I may even document it lol. We are trying to cut down on the heat and electricity for all summer time vegging activities for new plants.

:2738:

[NeedForSeed]

I have recently covered up my 1 m tall (the pseudostem) sikkimensis which I hope will survive the winter outside. I wrapped the stem with some thin fleece, which I wrapped a 2cm thick layer of coconut coir around, which I then wrapped in some rockwool. This was covered with a plastic bag to prevent water from entering. To top everything off, I covered it all in leaves with some chicken wire. :ha:

Now my concern is that I overdid the whole winterizing thing and that the plant might rot or catch some fungi. This is the first time I try overwintering a banana outside and I wonder if you guys usually have problems with rot.

Also, I have a quite large moso bamboo (~1.5m) next to it which I'm not sure of how to winterize. I was thinking of covering the whole thing with some plastic and pushing it to the ground as I read that bamboos are sensitive to wind.

[nannerfunboi]

winter is here in utah..no snow in valley but resorts are mostly open..yea!!
only nanner i am keeping outside(planted in ground) is basjoos..
i have some big tomato cages made of rebar..30 "across..5ft tall
put them over basjoos and fill entire thing with shredded leaves..
had after thought of wrapping plant with bubble wrap 1st..oh well
then wrap entire thing with tarp where it drapes away from base of
plant..
hope this works.. i really would love them to get bigger next yr!!
all other tropicals are inside..potted and bareroot..
so far all plants are firm so no mushy..yea..
good luck to all :goteam:

[blownz281]

Well here in NC coast, temps are getting cooler at night so I trimmed my orinocos,saba,ice creams,yellow,basjoo. I built two greenhouse enclosures for three of them. Several sheets of bisqueen and stuffed them 5ft high with pine straw and leaves. Then put lids on them and wrapped again. Others I just had to chicken wire wrap,then stuff then bisqueen. Then wrapped them all up together. I have never tried this before,but it worked in Ohio zone 4-5 with a windmill palm for years. I never stuffed it with anything. I tried bringing the nanners inside before which we don't have room for,they grew for a fews months in the past them just all died off. Growing a cavendish,and some other type I can't remember the name. But others just didn't like coming inside,with lighting and temps.

[stevelau1911]

I either put leaf bags on top of or built insulation structures around my cold hardy bananas, but as far as ensete maurelii, I don't think there's a need to give it much of a dormancy. I've been taking it indoors only when it gets below freezing which hasn't happened much yet.

It has grown so much in the past 2 months so that it has consumed most of the soil in it's 5 gallon pot which should last it until spring. The soil line was originally all the way up to the top, and now it's around half full with the fat corm and roots probably taking up most of that space.
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/stevelau1911/DSC06677.jpg?t=1323043787

[Manto]

My two plants have had their leaves blackened by a -3C frost. Can I do anything to save them or are they goners. We dont get solid freezes here just occasional frosts

[Illia]

Hey all, I read most of this thread through, LOVE it, and in the end I've just got a few questions I'd love answered. I live in zone 8, temps here normally go freezing in the winter, rarely but at times do go down to the low 20's, and exceedingly rarely but in my lifetime have indeed hit the teens.

I'm growing some bananas in a greenhouse, that during light freezes does not freeze inside, during hard freezes (20's) can get 28-32 degrees, and the humidity at night is pretty high but during non-cloudy days is decently low. I was was wondering - Is it truly best I dig out my bananas during the winter and store them in a cool, dry room or could I just mulch and really cover up the bananas, p-stem and all, where they are in the ground in the greenhouse? I know circulation is a must, so I'm curious, how much circulation are we talking here? Can I wrap the p-stem in insulation of some kind, and cover the surrounding area with hay? (to prevent freeze and also keep moisture out)

Also if it does come down to digging them up, I've got some Ice Creams I know will exceed 9 ft, how harmful will it be to chop a bit of the top off before storing them for the winter? I know bananas are pretty tough buggers, so I was wondering if reducing some weight by lopping off the top would actually work?

I just want the best method that will ensure that the bananas survive and will fruit in the quickest time. I have a well insulated room in a building separate from our house I was thinking of maybe storing the dug up bananas in, it doesn't go below 45 degrees or above 64 degrees in there. That, or I was thinking of leaving the bananas in the ground until severe cold passes, probably March or April.

Oh and if it helps, the varieties I'm using are Ice Cream, Rajapuri, Thousand Fingers, and Dwarf Orinoco.

[wheelman1976]

Recommendation needed for a new grower in Michigan.

I have about 35 dwarf brazilian and red dwarf bananas currently growing. I plan on digging them out for the winter but am wondering what you all would think I need to specifically do. The questions I have are the following?

1. Dig up and remove as much dirt as possible from the corm or leave it on?
2. Do I remove leaves or not?
3. I plan on keeping in my basement garage in the same location where my cannas have kept well. Doesn't freeze, but it nice and chilly. I store my snowmobile in this garage and when I go out sledding the garage door is left open and that has not bothered the cannas at all come spring but I suspect it might not be good for the bananas? I plan on laying them out on a shelf off of the concrete, should I cover them with a tarp of some sort? I've read some things about if you're going to dig them up to keep them away from lights, when I'm out sledding, I've got the lights on in the garage of course.

4. Does anyone have experience with these two types of plants and how they will overwinter? Will I have something to put in the ground the following spring?

[blownz281]

I would clean all the dirt off. Pot them up in new nice draining soil. You will need to keep them atleast above 40degrees would be my guess. My Mom has kept Cavendish I gave her years ago in here greenhouse with a temp of 40degrees and they always did great. But Cavendish can take more cold. Will you have any light?

[blownz281]

You can trim all the leaves off except the newest one.

[Abnshrek]

If you take the time to put it in a pot w/ new soil and keep it from freezing there is no reason to trim all the leaves, but one.. The leaves will be an indicator of how its faring.. If you cut the leaves you mise well dry store them.. Like they say if its green don't cut it.. you might need it later.. :^)

[wheelman1976]

I'm leaning towards dry storage since I don't have near enough pots or dirt to pot them all up. What would I be looking at for proper dry storage? Tempwise? Light/no light? leaves off/leaves on? I can go either in my basement garage with these where the temps will definitely stay above freezing, I'm thinking around 40 degrees or I can go in the back room of my basement which is heated, but again, I don't have an open furnace vent as we don't sit in this room, it's for the freezer, water heater and furnace and storage of other things.

[RandyGHO]

Here in Georgia 8b, I am going for in-ground with insulation. I will post pictures when I build the first protective tube.

[wheelman1976]

Here in Georgia 8b, I am going for in-ground with insulation. I will post pictures when I build the first protective tube.

I'm in michigan, a 5b/6a on a good day. Leaving in ground for these varieties is not in the cards. Hence why I'm hoping someone will chip in some advice on what I can expect or should do.

[duluthga]

I'm in NE Atlanta and have been growing nanners for 25 years or so. Yep, it's that sad time of year again. This weekend I'll be cutting my Basjoos off about 6" from the ground and giving them a heavy mulch of pine straw...maybe 2' high and maintain that thru the winter. I have 3 large clumps of these and they are like weeds in this climate...maybe 25' high! I do the same with my Thai elephant ears....OMG.....that thing gets HUGE in this area, leaves are like 4' across! I have a few new types..Mekong and Kandarin African.....these I intend to dig and store in garage.....no light. I trim all but one or two leaves and remove most of the soil, no pot or watering this usually works and replant around Easter, maybe sooner. I had a HUGE snow banana (Ensete Glaucum) last summer and the trunk on that guy was way over a foot in diameter and I could not move it. It did not survive the winter. I bought another one and am keeping it in a pot to keep in the garage as well. We have had a few mornings near 40' here and I'm readay for spring ...the hell with winter! :)

[orinoko]

I'm readay for spring ...the hell with winter!

:ha::ha: so soon. Actually our summer has been so bad we cancelled it....so yes, roll on spring duluthga....:nanadrink:

[2woodensticks]

i do feel for ya..no really,where i am in florida fingers crossed our cold for the year,below 45,does not last longer than 30 hours total..sorry, but i did live in Sparta and Hendersonville TN. for about 7 years total,so i know where you are comming from..good luck,my fingers are crossed for all to make it and to grow big next season

[2woodensticks]

i do feel for ya..no really,where i am in florida fingers crossed our cold for the year,below 45,does not last longer than 30 hours total..sorry, but i did live in Sparta and Hendersonville TN. for about 7 years total,so i know where you are comming from..good luck,my fingers are crossed for all to make it and to grow big next season....

[orinoko]

It was extremely a wet summer,

In England we expect rain, this year was monsoon type rain at times.

:mad::goteam:

[orinoko]

It was extremely a wet summer,

In England we expect rain, this year was monsoon type rain at times.

:mad::goteam:

[momofcnz]

Hi there!

I'm a banana newbie from central NJ zone 6B. I have 2 bananas and a bunch of pups planted in the ground. We had a frost 2 nights ago and my banans'a leaves are dark and flopped over but the stems are strong. Last year I had 2 nanners, cut them down to about 12 inches and mulched them in and covered them w/ a bucket to protect from too much moisture. Even with a mild winter neither survived. :-( I planted one of the pups I over wintered on my kitchen counter and bought another small guy and they're both 5 ft + (including leaves). Should I:
1) cut them down again, maybe to the ground this time?
2) store them bareroot in my unheated attached garage or maybe in the basement by the furnace?
3) cut most of the leaves off, wrap the stem and try to over winter them outside like I do my windmill palms?
4) remove some or all of the pups again
5) other
????
Any advice would be appreciated!

Thanks!
Lori

[tastyratz]

Dug up my babies Friday to protect them from the 20 deg cold snap
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y126/tastyratz/personal/House/plants/winter2012.jpg

Think my garage looks a little full?
Leaves are bending off that 10+ foot ceiling!
On the left sikkemensis, middle Maurelli & I think maybe oronocos on the right (but not sure, anyone's guess)
4 or 5 plants on the left, and 8 yes 8 pups off the mother on the right in that tight small space



Lori:
This is what I do every year so far. I stick them in those big blue rope handle laundry tubs from wal mart and put them in my basement over the winter. If your basement gets too warm they try to grow but without enough light it is very stressful and they get blanched and fragile.
I run 3 shop lights on a timer through the winter and water when bone dry. I need to double my light output because they still come out too light.

Basement is fine, put them in a corner away from the furnace. You don't want them to try to grow down there where conditions are not right.

[scottu]

try all of the above. who knows what kind of winter we are going to have? if you knew which was to be, than you could be sure what to do, since we don't, hedge your bets and try them all, or at least try the ones that you feel like trying, it's learning curve and we all have to learn it!

[scottu]

Hi there!

I'm a banana newbie from central NJ zone 6B. I have 2 bananas and a bunch of pups planted in the ground. We had a frost 2 nights ago and my banans'a leaves are dark and flopped over but the stems are strong. Last year I had 2 nanners, cut them down to about 12 inches and mulched them in and covered them w/ a bucket to protect from too much moisture. Even with a mild winter neither survived. :-( I planted one of the pups I over wintered on my kitchen counter and bought another small guy and they're both 5 ft + (including leaves). Should I:
1) cut them down again, maybe to the ground this time?
2) store them bareroot in my unheated attached garage or maybe in the basement by the furnace?
3) cut most of the leaves off, wrap the stem and try to over winter them outside like I do my windmill palms?
4) remove some or all of the pups again
5) other
????
Any advice would be appreciated!

Thanks!
Lori
try all of the above. who knows what kind of winter we are going to have? if you knew which was to be, than you could be sure what to do, since we don't, hedge your bets and try them all, or at least try the ones that you feel like trying, it's learning curve and we all have to learn it!

[designshark]

Here's my Basjoo winterization project, After a few visits from Jack Frost.

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=51018

The corms looked a little shallow so I added some soil.

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=51015

Sadly removing most of the leaves

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=51016

Putting the cage structure in place then mulching

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=51020

I filled the rest of the cage with straw

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=51021

Then finally tarping it all up and securing it to the ground

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=51019

I hope this experiment yields me a larger plant next summer. If not I have a few back-ups in the house if this is a failure.

Thanks for viewing! :nanadrink:

This is open for critique also.

[pushak513]

looks like you did it right and put alot of effort into it hopefully it works out for you

[sandy0225]

Hey neighbor, I'd put some more thick mulch at the bottom, in a big circle around the plants to protect the roots more just in case.
Did you plant them a foot deeper than they were in the pot originally when you got them? if so, then you won't need to mulch them deeper at the bottom. you are only about 20 miles from us, you'll have to come over and see our big blooming banana when you get in Muncie. It has around 100 bananas on it so far!

[pmurphy]

Well designshark looks like he's got a good thing going there and I am trying it this way this year. In the past I have tried several different methods but none seemed to work - including the "patented banana sleeve"......all it did was rot the stem and they had to grow from the ground up......again :(

[Vega spat]

Ok - I'm new to this forum so here is my story. I live in Las Vegas and i'm trying to get a tropical look to my backyard so I bought a couple of dwarf cavendish plants and planted them. This was a year ago

They grew really well (about 4 ft high). Not knowing any better I wrapped them in burlap just before winter. Needless to say they did not do so well. They turned brown and mushy. I dug up one and tossed it but the other sprang three pups and I let them grow!! I have three stalks about 4 - 5 feet high!!!

I don't want to do the same mistake this winter. Do I pot them separately or together in the garage? Or do I dig it up and leave it dry rooted in the garage?

Let me know thanks

[blownz281]

They don't survive dry root as I tried it to large plants like yours in a 55* basement. Pot them up and keep somewhere warm and bright.

[Vega spat]

They don't survive dry root as I tried it to large plants like yours in a 55* basement. Pot them up and keep somewhere warm and bright.

Is the Garage OK? There will be some light. Or should I put it in my den?

[blownz281]

Inside is best!

[stevelau1911]

I just protected mine today. I made a whole blog post on the set up. The musa basjoo was a bit of a challenge to protect since the pseudo-stems are around 7ft tall. The barrels really helped out a lot.

Here's the entire set up for all my outdoor bananas.
Steve's garden: Overwintering the bananas and other plants for winter of 2012/2013 (http://stevespeonygarden.blogspot.com/2012/11/overwintering-bananas-and-other-plants.html)

[natej740]

Dug up some nanners yesterday...that ensete was heavy as €#@%!!!lol

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8325/8150541523_6cc7bc509d_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/49188869@N06/8150541523/)
IMAG2506 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/49188869@N06/8150541523/) by natej740 (http://www.flickr.com/people/49188869@N06/), on Flickr

[wheelman1976]

I'm wondering if some here can chime in with some advice.

I have about 30-35 dwarf Brazilian and red dwarfs that range in size from 3-5 feet that I dug up here in Michigan about a month or so ago. I stacked them like wood in my basement garage where I've found winter temps are great for canna rhizome storage. Anyways, I am seeing what I would assume is leaf die back and I'm seeing a little gray fuzz around the areas that have dried out and died back. My question is is this typical for what one can expect for dry root storage?

My mekong giant, which had four shoots about ready to break ground when I dug it up is starting to shrink a bit too. Normal?

[wheelman1976]

I'm wondering if some here can chime in with some advice.

I have about 30-35 dwarf Brazilian and red dwarfs that range in size from 3-5 feet that I dug up here in Michigan about a month or so ago. I stacked them like wood in my basement garage where I've found winter temps are great for canna rhizome storage. Anyways, I am seeing what I would assume is leaf die back and I'm seeing a little gray fuzz around the areas that have dried out and died back. My question is is this typical for what one can expect for dry root storage?

My mekong giant, which had four shoots about ready to break ground when I dug it up is starting to shrink a bit too. Normal?

Man, everyone must be to busy digging up their bananas to answer my question! :-)

[Abnshrek]

Man, everyone must be to busy digging up their bananas to answer my question! :-)

I'd stack them upright. :^)

[wheelman1976]

What does stacking them upright do for them versus being laid on their side?

[Abnshrek]

If they grow when horizontal they may have a blowout in the p-stem since they will attempt to grow vertical. :^)

[wheelman1976]

If they grow when horizontal they may have a blowout in the p-stem since they will attempt to grow vertical. :^)

If the temps that they're stored in are between 35-50 that shouldn't be a problem should it?

[Abnshrek]

If the temps that they're stored in are between 35-50 that shouldn't be a problem should it?

you can do what you like, but I'd have digital thermometer down there so you can monitor highs & lows. I was just raising a flag of a possible unseen concern on your part.. :^)

[wheelman1976]

you can do what you like, but I'd have digital thermometer down there so you can monitor highs & lows. I was just raising a flag of a possible unseen concern on your part.. :^)

I hear you and appreciate it. Wish I wouldn't have gone and built that whole shelf system for all of them to be set on now.... LOL

[wheelman1976]

Can someone chime into the "drying out" that i think I'm seeing and as to if that's normal for winter storage? Do they come out considerably thinner in the spring?

I'm wondering if some here can chime in with some advice.

I have about 30-35 dwarf Brazilian and red dwarfs that range in size from 3-5 feet that I dug up here in Michigan about a month or so ago. I stacked them like wood in my basement garage where I've found winter temps are great for canna rhizome storage. Anyways, I am seeing what I would assume is leaf die back and I'm seeing a little gray fuzz around the areas that have dried out and died back. My question is is this typical for what one can expect for dry root storage?

My mekong giant, which had four shoots about ready to break ground when I dug it up is starting to shrink a bit too. Normal?

[Pancrazio]

Yes, but keep in mind that they need to go out of the soil on for several weeks, so they shouldn't dry too quickly.
Finding the right place to overwinter them is the tricky part, actually. Once settled, i think it can be repeated every year.
Last year i putted all of them in my garage, wich i discovered, was too cold. Rajapuri rotted pretty slowly over 8 weeks from dicember to february, after having shown the first signs of decline... drwarf namwah recovered after being putted in my basement (wich was a little hotter).
Overall the dug method hasn't been a big success for me, but you have got to kill some plant if you want to lear to grow them. And given my climate, it is the only method aviable to grow nanas.

[wheelman1976]

Thanks for the insight. This is my first year trying to overwinter mine. I've got a group of 35 dwarf brazilian and dwarf red that I got from a local school. These weren't my choice to grow since I got them for free, so I'm just hoping these will go through the winter in one piece and I something left in the spring to put in the ground that is bigger than when I got them. Time will tell I guess!

[pushak513]

Thanks for the insight. This is my first year trying to overwinter mine. I've got a group of 35 dwarf brazilian and dwarf red that I got from a local school. These weren't my choice to grow since I got them for free, so I'm just hoping these will go through the winter in one piece and I something left in the spring to put in the ground that is bigger than when I got them. Time will tell I guess!

Just curious what kind of school in zone 6 was trying to grow dwarf reds and brazilians? I mean I would have taken them all for free myself but I would have expected a truck load of bajoo before those.

[wheelman1976]

Just curious what kind of school in zone 6 was trying to grow dwarf reds and brazilians? I mean I would have taken them all for free myself but I would have expected a truck load of bajoo before those.

It was the local tech center. They have a green house and I don't think they were actually growing them, more like brought them up from florida and were selling them at their mother's day sale. Once school was out, I hit up the instructor and said I'd take them if he didn't want to water them all summer. He said they were written off as a loss on the books so I could take everyone of them. I figure conservatively he gave me about $500 worth of bananas based on how large and established they were.

[blownz281]

Wow that's awesome! I hope they all survive for you :)

[Abnshrek]

I put my outside banana's to sleep for the winter... Heat-tapes are on.. :^)

[blownz281]

Only thing I have done is pile mulch around the base of them all,and caged with chicken wire the base. They are still pushing leaves out and my Cavendish have done fine with 2-3 39* temps at night. But we might have not gotten that cold here though. I mulched them real good,then I think I will wrap that with plastic and then place my hoop house over them. They are right up against the house so kinda protected. So we will see if they make the winter whether its a normal one or not. I have spare pups.

[Abnshrek]

Only thing I have done is pile mulch around the base of them all,and caged with chicken wire the base. They are still pushing leaves out and my Cavendish have done fine with 2-3 39* temps at night. But we might have not gotten that cold here though. I mulched them real good,then I think I will wrap that with plastic and then place my hoop house over them. They are right up against the house so kinda protected. So we will see if they make the winter whether its a normal one or not. I have spare pups.

The ones w/ some protection only got christmas lights. :^)

[blownz281]

Must have hit pretty low last night,as all my nanners had fried leaves. So they all got a hair cut today and just left the sword leaf on them.

[Abnshrek]

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=51610&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=51610) This bad boy took 28F (Caligold). True test is when it gets down to 26 for 2 nights this week.. :^)

[blownz281]

hmm wouldn't think those mini lights would give off enough heat. Now I just need to figure out again how to post on here from photobucket.

[stevelau1911]

If you add another layer of tarp, shrink wrap, bubble wrap, or whatever can trap the heat in, then I think that should work.

[Abnshrek]

hmm wouldn't think those mini lights would give off enough heat. Now I just need to figure out again how to post on here from photobucket.

I leave my lights on all the time and it creates enough heat for them to be growing like crazy compared to the weather. :^)

[Abnshrek]

If you add another layer of tarp, shrink wrap, bubble wrap, or whatever can trap the heat in, then I think that should work.

Rgr that.. got a lil leaf burn w/ just the barrel last night on that one. :^)

[designshark]

To Abnshrek: I wouldn't have thought it would even get cold enough to frost down there.

[Abnshrek]

To Abnshrek: I wouldn't have thought it would even get cold enough to frost down there.

It wouldn't have if it had just been a frost, but got down to 25F so a lil leaf burn isn't bad.. it was touching the barrel.. :^)

[Abnshrek]

I added a 100 more min-lites and it got down to 32F last nite.. There was ice on the windshield but w/ the lites this Cali-Gold is unphased by it, and that was without the barrel over it. :^)
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=51709&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=51709)
Of course I trimmed the leaf that burnt on the barrel when it got down to 26F. :^)

[blownz281]

If the caligold is a Orinoco type then it can handle cold weather. I thought that's what people have said in the past.

[Abnshrek]

If the caligold is a Orinoco type then it can handle cold weather. I thought that's what people have said in the past.

I think the more established the more it is better off. I have 4 orinoco's in different environments. The one w/ tree cover, and one next to a S. facing brick wall are doing the best enduring the elements. After it frosts all leaves are pretty much toast unless its some super hardy inetible variety.
Personally I think think Namwah is more hardy than orinoco based on my observations. :^)

[Illia]

Personally I think think Namwah it more hardy than orinoco based on my observations. :^)

Agreed. Mine have also been more tolerant of heat and/or drought.

[brandynb988]

Ok I'm new to growing bananas and I have to ask. I'm in zone 6 in Washington and it gets pretty cold in the winter. So All I have to do is dig up the plant and store it somewhere warm, then re-plant when it gets warmer and it'll eventually start producing fruit?

[Illia]

Yes, or get/build a greenhouse, more efficiently a passive-solar type, or container grow them and bring them in during the winter. Just remember that winter dormancy does indeed lengthen out the time to fruit and might even decrease fruit quality, but, you will get fruit. If you get warm enough winters or have a greenhouse, you can always try short fruiting varieties like Veinte Cohol though. They're not cold hardy but may fruit before winter.

[bananarama2]

There is a wealth of information in old forum entries concerning the many techniques members use to over winter bananas. It's not quite as easy as just digging them up and putting them in a warm spot. The usual idea is to induce and maintain dormancy (minimal warmth, light and moisture) while keeping the corms and stems from rotting. There is a lot of variation to what works, depending on your local zone and temperature/moisture conditions. Do a little reading on the site and you'll find what works in areas similar to yours. Good luck in your efforts.:08:

[Illia]

Oh yeah, didn't fully catch the "warm" part. As many have stated before in this thread, which by the way is a great read, - It's best you keep it in a place under the high 50's and above the 30's. Air circulation and not too high humidity are some other important factors, too. I don't know about you but out here on the west side it's always humid.

[LilRaverBoi]

You can grow basjoo in zone 6 just fine (leave in ground and mulch heavily in the fall to protect overwinter) if you just want foliage (this produces seeded bananas and is 'ornamental').

Otherwise, if you want edible varieties (or virtually any other variety other than basjoo), you will need to dig up and do one of two of the following options for overwintering: 1) pot it up and put it in a sunny window, caring for it as a houseplant over winter being careful not to over-water......or 2) dig up, remove most of the soil, remove all leaves except top one and place plant in a dark room ~50 degrees without watering to store in a dormant state till next spring (not a good option for certain varieties).

And not to discourage you any, but coming from someone in zone 5 who has lived in zone 6......I wouldn't focus too heavily on fruit production or you may be disappointed. It is difficult to grow bananas to maturity and develop fruit with the length of the growing season in such a zone. Most plants, even once the flower comes out, require 4-6+ months with the fruit on the plant in order to fill them out and ripen. This simply is not possible unless you're extremely lucky and get a flower to pop out early in the spring (which you can't exactly 'plan' since they can flower any time of the year). My advice for people in lower zones is to focus on growing the plant, enjoying the foliage and if you can manage to get a bloom at all, be happy with that. Ripened fruit is highly unlikely unless you have a greenhouse you keep at tropical conditions during the winter. Again, not trying to discourage, just being realistic with expectations.

[Illia]

Which is certainly true, though honestly I think as long as you can keep your greenhouse at zone 8-9 conditions during the winter you're still quite decent off. Your season would be greatly extended, and some of the most hardy varieties wouldn't mind going through min temperatures of 22-32 degrees.

I think the best thing for northerners without the money for a greenhouse or related is getting into varieties with short ripening times. Rose, Goldfinger, Rajapuri, Veinte Cohol, Chundillikunnan, and if I'm not mistaken, Brazilian and Gran Nain are some shorter ripeners. They don't take too long to fruit but more importantly, ripening is less than 6 months. For some it is less than 4.

[bananarama2]

As I said before, there are many possibilities, depending on your zone and climate variables. It would be nice to have a heated greenhouse, to be sure, but the cost to heat one in a northern Central Plains location for an entire winter would be prohibitive for most growers. Hence the many creative approaches to digging and over-wintering. Being soft tissued, mostly water by weight plants, bananas don't tolerate cold, humid conditions very well, making storage difficult, but not impossible. As noted by several others, it is all about creating suitable conditions to avoid the dreaded soft rot until warmer temperatures return. More than just a hobby, growing some of the tropicals in less than tropical areas is a major challenge, successfully achieved by a lot of hard working and creative growers who just won't accept the notion of "can't". :2738:

[brandynb988]

Holy crap! Heat tape! Great idea =)

[vitin6039]

All,
I know this sound like a newbie question but I have to asked. How long can the corms survive with out soil and litter water. I am in zone 8b and we have a winter season of about 4 to 5 months and that seem like a long time for the plant to sit in the garage and be healthy for the coming spring.

[Abnshrek]

All,
I know this sound like a newbie question but I have to asked. How long can the corms survive with out soil and litter water. I am in zone 8b and we have a winter season of about 4 to 5 months and that seem like a long time for the plant to sit in the garage and be healthy for the coming spring.

Depends on the type that determines if its can take cold storing well.. Orinoco type's can I don't know which others do this well.. :^)

[Funkthulhu]

A question of options,

Earlier this summer I had two bananas plants, a Blood-leaf Zebrina and what I thought was a Dwarf Cav. They were both in 10 gallon pots, I managed to keep them alive through last winter and repotted the DC into a 30G this spring (the Zebrina was still happy and small in the 10G). I learned through this site that this "Dwarf Cavendish" is most likely a Musa Basjoo instead. The plant went wild for a few months with a mother P-stem nearly 3 feet tall by June and at the time at least 13 pups of various sizes. Reading up on the Basjoo, I split the pot, split the corm into 4 groups and put them in the dirt to see how they'd fair in a Nebraska Summer. Now that they've been in the ground a couple months, I'm looking forward to the change of seasons. (Winter is coming....)

All 4 bunches have survived the shock and flourished, each producing additional pups after they were planted in the ground. The mother P-stem is now ~4 inches in diameter 6" above the base and the total height without leaves is approaching 5 feet. The others are all much smaller. The smallest group I was planning on digging up and potting up for the winter, maybe even giving away as a gift. One of the middle group I was planning to cut off and cover with mulch to see if it would survive the winter. (Zone 5b, inner city)

But what of Mama? Should I up-root and try to store her in my basement? (~60F degrees and dark in the utility room) Or should I try to pot it up as well and place it in my plant area with overhead fluorescent grow lights until Spring? And what of the 4th group of mid-sized P-stems (<3 feet)? Leave to the elements, store indoors, or pot up and put under lights? (My residence at this point will not allow space enough for plants in any room that gets much window sun.)

Just brainstorming and looking for some insight for my for my second banana winter. (The Zebrina is just going under the lights in the pot it is in.)

[designshark]

You've got plenty to experiment with. If they are basjoos I'd try leaving some out in the ground and mulch heavily with leaves and a tarp.

[lmswayne]

I Have never taken them out of the ground I have just covered them. but I don't have such a large garden of them

[KBinMD]

We're making a winter hut for our Bajoo plants. Other than a top with an opening for air, what else should i do? Lights may be for warmth or multch heavily? We're on the MD/PA/WV line. Zone 6?
Thanks
KB Banana Gallery - Winter Hut (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=55002&cat=500&ppuser=4071)

[designshark]

I'd pack it full of dry leaf mulch and cover the top and keep dry with that.

[KBinMD]

I'd pack it full of dry leaf mulch and cover the top and keep dry with that.

trim leaves off?

[Abnshrek]

trim leaves off?

I do when I'm protecting the stems.. :^)

[stalewiak]

kicking musa basjoo :08:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=deilvlqAfFQ

wintering cellar

Basement Height 190

http://img2.garnek.pl/a.garnek.pl/027/236/27236189_800.0.jpg/zimowisko-bananowcow.jpg

Tłumaczenie translate google :bananas_b

[stalewiak]

http://img3.garnek.pl/a.garnek.pl/027/245/27245451_800.0.jpg/bananowc-w-polsce-forum-link-pod.jpg

:08:

[Snookie]

Lol most of mine look like it's time for a dirt nap:}

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSAsYWzFsU1wNzwJEM3FNAD9AxQekc5g97QwoLilS5Nxpa WwXi9CA

[sman87]

I have a dozen Basjoo and Mekong Giant bananas dormant in a basement crawlspace bare root. Its been about 9 weeks since I put them in dormancy. So far they have dried out without any signs of mold or rot on the corms or P-stems. The corms and root balls are BONE dry now, yet the p stems have held most of there green color excluding the outer layers, which have dried forming a husk. I estimate I have about 15 or so weeks left till I will put them back outside. I recently gave the corms and roots on each plant a quick misting just enough to be damp, but I see the forums split on whether or not to water at all bare root stored bananas during the winter. Should the plants be good to go for the rest of the winter till spring?

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=55412&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=55412)

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=55409&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=55409)

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=55410&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=55410)

[stevelau1911]

I think it may be better to have them stored up side down in the coolest spot you can find that doesn't get below freezing.

I had rotting issues with my ensete maureliis in the attic 2 weeks ago where it may have gotten too damp despite relatively cool conditions, but after taking them into the coldest part of the house which stays around 40F through winter, and dusting them with sulfur, the rotting has stopped.

Here's one of them that I took out just to get some photos of. It's been dormant for over 2 months now and I will need it to stay dormant without rotting away for another 3-4 months.
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/stevelau1911/DSC09024_zps10a365e4.jpg?t=1387177545
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/stevelau1911/DSC09025_zpsa17cf8e2.jpg?t=1387177549

[bengal tiger nanas]

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=55423&size=1

[bengal tiger nanas]

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=55423&size=1this ensete still has a lot of moisture after 7 weeks. do you think it will be ok? stay's between 35 and 55

[stevelau1911]

If it is not rotting, i would just check on it every couple weeks or so to make sure it is alright. Otherwise, if you want to be safe, you could just rub some fungicide powder all over the base, and wherever rot can occur.

I believe orienting it upside down can ensure that the moisture doesn't concentrate into the base.

[bengal tiger nanas]

thanks stevelau1911, i will turn it upside down, i only did it like this because a youtube vid i saw. your way does seam right. thanks again

[sman87]

That fungicide powder does wonders! After using it this fall its really controlled the drying process and let each pstem and corm go into dormancy without too much mold or fungus resistance at least so far. A light "dust cloud" of the powder to get a surface coat over the vulnerable areas is really all you need. make sure you ventilate the area you are working in it could be harmful to breathe

[sman87]

this ensete still has a lot of moisture after 7 weeks. do you think it will be ok? stay's between 35 and 55

From the look of the picture it looks good so far. That temp range should be sufficient, humidity at or under 50% seems to help as well negating a breeding ground for mold/ fungus. Is the Pstem staying firm? Any signs of softness? Also keep a "nose" out for any unusual odor coming from it as well as it could be a sign of decay. If in that case, don't panic remove the infected area of the pstem with a sharp knife completely so only healthy plant tissue remains. Then dab the area with a small amount of powder fungicide. From what I've read some fungus can travel quick through the stem if gone uncared for.

[hasty22]

Sman Did you leave any nanners in ground to overwinter?
http://www.bananas.org/images/smilies/banana_files/coldbanana.gif

[sman87]

No, unfortunately I chickened out this year on keeping them outide. lol Partly because I wanted to keep as much Pstem alive as possible and start off tall when I put them back in next April. The ground where most of mine were planted stays pretty waterlogged in the fall and winter months so I didn't trust the space they would've been in during winter anyway, and also they were on an edge of a garden which gets plowed over each spring so there was no guarantee they would be left undisturbed or intact lol All in all I chose to go the dry root overwinter method this year.

[benthayer]

I know there is a lot of debate as to whether to water over-wintered bananas or not. I live in North Carolina. Here's my experience--last fall I dug up my bananas(3 gran nain and 3 double mahoi) and placed them in the garage where it doesn't go below 40 degrees. Per the advice at the beginning of this thread I did not water at all. By spring all the plants were crispy brown and the stems fell away from the corms, so essentially I was just planting corms and they all looked dead to me. Fortunately not all of them were dead, 3 out of six survived, but they had to start all over again.

This fall when I brought them into the garage I decided I would lightly water them once a week. What a difference--they still look alive with green leaves and strong stems and hopefully when planted out in the spring with take off. My goal is to try to get bananas and with the no water regimen it wasn't going to happen. It still might not happen but I believe they have a better chance by being watered in the winter.

[bengal tiger nanas]

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=55770&size=1http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=55423&size=1this ensete still has a lot of moisture after 7 weeks. do you think it will be ok? stay's between 35 and 55

this is two weeks out of storage. hope it does ok. thanks don

[cincinnana]

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=55770&size=1

this is two weeks out of storage. hope it does ok. thanks don

:woohoonaner: It is alive.......great:08:


What part of Ohio are you from......north?

[bengal tiger nanas]

35 miles north of dayton. close to lake laramie

[bengal tiger nanas]

should i trim the outer leaves, or let them grow?

[cincinnana]

should i trim the outer leaves, or let them grow?

I know they will be ugly ......but maybe let them grow some ,more green =more growth.
Trim when it looks good.

Do I spy a couple of brugs off to the right???

[bengal tiger nanas]

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=55774&size=1I know they will be ugly ......but maybe let them grow some ,more green =more growth.
Trim when it looks good.

Do I spy a couple of brugs off to the right???

yes, started from seed last spring. i was supprised how fast they grow.they are both white nothing special. but bloomed well.

[wheelman1976]

So at what point do others take their protection off of their outdoor in ground bananas? I tried to peek at one of mine today, and I don't think it looked that great. I unboxed one of my palm trees today and the fronds were burnt pretty bad... so I'm guessing I'll be in for some disappointment with the inground bananas....

I heard some farmers in my area are saying frost went down 5-6 feet in the fields. Knowing that, would any musa basjoo make it through a winter?

[cincinnana]

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=55774&size=1

yes, started from seed last spring. i was supprised how fast they grow.they are both white nothing special. but bloomed well.

White is special......the fragrance is to die for.

[bengal tiger nanas]

White is special......the fragrance is to die for.
thanks Mike

judy thinks so to.she loves them,says they keep her awake and alert.just smelling them.i don't know if it really does.but she wants them so she will have them.

[cincinnana]

thanks Mike

judy thinks so to.she loves them,says they keep her awake and alert.just smelling them.i don't know if it really does.but she wants them so she will have them.
I think they smell like super concentrated Detergent Cheer from Procter and Gamble.
I can smell these when I pull into my driveway if the wind is right......love it.
The heavy fragrance of these on a hot July/August night is to die for.
Sorry for the links but Flikr has decided to change the lives of 1000s of posters..for the worse....this is the upgrade.

.

[bengal tiger nanas]

I think they smell like super concentrated Detergent Cheer from Procter and Gamble.
I can smell these when I pull into my driveway if the wind is right......love it.
The heavy fragrance of these on a hot July/August night is to die for.

i don't know about the cheer, but she does love them.

[cincinnana]

i don't know about the cheer, but she does love them.
Now that I told you you that......do a comparison sniff test when they bloom.:08:

[scottu]

I think they smell like super concentrated Detergent Cheer from Procter and Gamble.
I can smell these when I pull into my driveway if the wind is right......love it.
The heavy fragrance of these on a hot July/August night is to die for.
Sorry for the links but Flikr has decided to change the lives of 1000s of posters..for the worse....this is the upgrade.

.https://www.flickr.com/gp/110357684@N02/sK8053

"super concentrated Detergent Cheer from Procter and Gamble"

Huh?

[cincinnana]

"super concentrated Detergent Cheer from Procter and Gamble"

Huh?
Oops sorry for the confusion.. H.E. for water efficient top / front loaders.
To me the fragrance smells like the fragrance used in the popular clothing detergent Cheer. For me it is a distinct odor but heavier.
Made in the United States
Procter & Gamble, Cincinnati, Ohio.


On the other hand the Pinaud/Seagrams distillery is 7miles to the west and it smells like sweet cereal..
or schnapps or what ever they are making.. Believe me I get the angels share
here in the valley....... hmmmm
Lawrenceberg, Indiana.

[bengal tiger nanas]

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=55791&size=1first full leaf.hope it keeps going ok.

[lmswayne]

thanks Mike

judy thinks so to.she loves them,says they keep her awake and alert.just smelling them.i don't know if it really does.but she wants them so she will have them.

what a great guy you are.

[bengal tiger nanas]

what a great guy you are.

not so much this year.we had way to cold temps for way to long. her plants may not survive.we do have more seedlings coming

[lmswayne]

not so much this year.we had way to cold temps for way to long. her plants may not survive.we do have more seedlings coming

Same here I lost all but one pup and one plant they did not like the 20 degree we had for 3 weeks.

[jamesmcculloch]

if anyone could tell me the best way to store them over winter ....

online casino australia (http://www.phparena.net/)

[duluthga]

I was very worried about my Basjoos due to our cold Atlanta winter......they were left in ground and turned to mush. Well, now those same clumps are over 5' and thriving. Another area I had has sent out runners several feet away out into the yard, these things are almost invasive!! haha.
My Thai Giant colocasias have come back as well. One very weird thing is that all of my Cannas died. They are usually very hardy and come back no matter what.....not this year.

[Funkthulhu]

Meh, we were at -20F for too many weeks, so everything in the ground died. But at least I had backups in pots in the basement, so we're all good.

[wandamathieu]

It doesn't need to, but it can if it is more convenient for you to store it

[zingiplants]

I heard everyone here saying I stored my bananas in basement or in garage or in greenhouse over winter.
Well... I dont have any of it. Like millions I live in apartment and like thousands I do have a small backyard. Any ideas what to do with bananas over winter? Rent a cellar or storage? Does it worth it? Make some kind of underground/above ground winter shelter?
Winters are getting really harsh in New York.

Thanks,

[stalewiak]

Hello :08:
http://img4.garnek.pl/a.garnek.pl/028/802/28802178_800.0.jpg/zdjecie.jpg
http://img4.garnek.pl/a.garnek.pl/028/802/28802176_800.0.jpg/zdjecie.jpg
http://img4.garnek.pl/a.garnek.pl/028/802/28802175_800.0.jpg/zdjecie.jpg

M BASJOO
http://img4.garnek.pl/a.garnek.pl/028/802/28802179_800.0.jpg/zdjecie.jpg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xb8uoL0fkXQ

[Max363]

Moja rodzina wychodziła z założenia Polski do SZA w 1895 i kiedy odwiedzam Kraków i *Bialystok*, nauczę się (poznał; dowiedział się) jak podobny klimat był tutaj. JA bardzo jestem zasugerowane przy jak dobrze wy byliście zdolne rosnąć (uprawiać; stawać się) banany inne tropikalne rośliny (zakład) w waszej przestrzeni. Gratulacj&! Wielki praca (roboczy)! <--- Internet Polish translation of my message! ;-)

[Funkthulhu]

Took a moment over the weekend to "clear out" the tub of banana corms/stalks. They all look long dead and the tops were completely dry husks. I'd never overwintered any of my bananas in anything other than pots, but I was out of pots (and room) so I just piled them in a 60 gallon tote and stuffed them in a cold corner of the basement. I honestly was hoping maybe one or two would pull through to planting in April or May.

You can imagine my surprise when I started stripping off dead leaves from the pseudo-stems that all of them are still very much alive inside. Aside from one Zebrina that black rotted off at the bottom, all my half dozen small mats are in excellent hibernation. Even my elephant ears, which didn't really have any bulbs to speak of when I dug them up, are still smooth and firm under the husks.

Looks like I have to re-till their area and look forward to an even bigger banana year in 2015!

:08:

[siege2050]

I still wanna know how to reactivate the dang bananers lol. I got tall orinoco's under the house and I am really uncertain when to kickstart them this spring. Last frost here is usually about april 15th. HEEEELLLLLLLP! Do I put them out before that? Do I wait till the 15th and will they take a surprise frost? I know the stems are hardier than the leaves, or do I wait until the first of may and get a really late start? Keep me from killing my 10 foot naner stems!

[sman87]

I still wanna know how to reactivate the dang bananers lol. I got tall orinoco's under the house and I am really uncertain when to kickstart them this spring. Last frost here is usually about april 15th. HEEEELLLLLLLP!
What is the soil temp of those bananas under the house? Last year I bought a heat mat and thermostat to "reactivate" the soil so the corms and roots begin regrowth. If the soil temp is hovering around the low 50s or 40s beneficial bacteria that maintains and regulates plant growth goes dormant. Consider waking up your plants from the "bottom up" when the plant senses the soil is warming it begins to send out fresh new white roots for nutrients, regaining some vigor. When this happens start introducing some sunlight or lighting to coax some early photosynthesis. When I tried this it took about one or two months that brought me up to the last frost of the season to transplant outside.

[sman87]

I heard everyone here saying I stored my bananas in basement or in garage or in greenhouse over winter.
Well... I dont have any of it. Like millions I live in apartment and like thousands I do have a small backyard. Any ideas what to do with bananas over winter? Rent a cellar or storage? Does it worth it? Make some kind of underground/above ground winter shelter?
Winters are getting really harsh in New York.

Thanks,

You might have to try storing just the corms or the bulb of the banana. If leaving them outside is too risky or not an option this can be a solution storing the corms will take up a lot less space (softball to grapefruit size) keeping them in a dry cool area with some periodic ventilation will keep the corms from rotting. You may have to start growth from scratch but 2nd year plants regrow much faster even from square one.

[GardenBee]

Hello:
Yes I back temporarily...

Enjoyed reading your thread BigDog, and the pics were self explanatory. Thanks and for the first time this year I will place them (8 plants) in the crawl space) and hopefully next year I will have a bunch of bananas!
Isn't wonderful that people are still responding to your thread!
Thanks again BigDog.


[IMG]http://C:\Users\HAMPTON\Pictures\Sandra\Garden\Bananas.org[IMG]

[IMG]http://C:\Users\HAMPTON\Pictures\Sandra\Garden\Bananas.org[IMG]

[Denverian]

I'm still unsure of what to do this fall. Last fall, I wrapped the stalk in bubble wrap and then covered it in plastic. It went limp in late winter, but it shot up new growth from the ground this summer. I'd say the new growth (lots of pups) got to 3' max. So I bought a new Basjoo and it's done very well this summer. About 6' tall anyway.

If I bring it in, it'll go in a dark basement storage room. It's not especially cool in there, but probably remains in the lower 60s to upper 50s in winter. That's where I store all my Elephant Ear bulbs in bags in winter, and they do fine.

Other option, try wrapping again, but wrap insulation around it, then cover with plastic. Last year it froze in early November, so I chopped off the top, sprayed the stalk with fungicide, and let it dry out for a week or so before covering it.

Any suggestions from an expert? I'm in Denver, and it typically gets down to 0 or a little below at my house. Last winter the coldest I got was 6 above.

[scottu]

forget the bubble wrap and use something that breaths, you want it to stay as dry as possible when dormant, no condensation etc. then just cover it enough with leaves etc so it does not freeze!! and yes you need to cover all with black plastic to keep rain ect away

[Kevin2685]

Mulch straw and heavy duty tarp works very well for me. I leave a couple of the bottom edges not staked down so it can breath some. They are a really hardy plant.

[Denverian]

forget the bubble wrap and use something that breaths, you want it to stay as dry as possible when dormant, no condensation etc. then just cover it enough with leaves etc so it does not freeze!! and yes you need to cover all with black plastic to keep rain ect away

Thanks! I was thinking of a stake on either side after wrapping in insulation, then cover with plastic, to keep strong winter winds from bending it around.

Once it freezes, how long should you wait until you wrap it? Typically, we could get a hard freeze, and then have days where it stays above freezing. Shouldn't it be exposed to cold a bit to go dormant prior to wrapping?

[geissene]

I just wait until the first frost comes that kills all of the leaves. Then start wrapping the stem. You shouldn't have much growth after that, but you can keep the top uncovered for a few weeks just to see if it keeps pushing.

[Denverian]

I just wait until the first frost comes that kills all of the leaves. Then start wrapping the stem. You shouldn't have much growth after that, but you can keep the top uncovered for a few weeks just to see if it keeps pushing.

I haven't checked Home Depot yet, but wondering if they sell insulation by the foot. Or maybe an entire roll is cheap? I have no clue.

[geissene]

A roll of R-30 might run you 20 bucks. (Sometimes its on sale) You can do at least one plant with a roll, depending on how much P-stem you protect. I was able to save a 4' stem last year.

I used fiberglass rolls last year, because I had some leftover from an attic project. I don't recommend it... it's messy and the fibers are bad to breathe in. Plus if it gets wet, it gets mold.

I'd suggest foam insulation, leaves, straw, old bed sheets, or if you insist on roll insulation perhaps you can find some made from cotton or anything non-fiberglass.

Remember to put some green mouse food inside your 'hut' so they don't eat your banana corms.

[sputinc7]

Make a wire cylinder with chicken wire around your plant and fill it in with leaves and such. Put a few mothballs in plastic bags with small holes in them to repel mice and other critters... After winter is over, pull out the mothball baggies and you have leaf mould mulch all ready to go. Just be sure to overfill it because it will shrink over time in the weather.
When fiberglass insulation gets wet it loses most of it's R value.

[scottu]

i cover all, after your choice of insulation, with black plastic and put rocks and such around the edges, keeps all dry and stops the light, have never lost one outside yet.

[Denverian]

I thought I was on this site somewhere pictures of someone uncovering a p-stem in the spring and they'd used the roll type insulation. But yes, it was covered in plastic to then keep it all dry.

How cold do you get in Pennsylvania? I'm in Denver and it typically will get a little below zero once or twice each winter. Typical lows will be in the mid to upper teens, average highs are mid 40s. So it won't be exposed to say, a week straight without ever going above freezing.

I lost the p-stem last winter, but lots of growth around it came back. Last winter, it seemed to turn to mush around March. But I only had it wrapped in bubble wrap. Everyone seems to agree that it needs something breathable, then covered with plastic.

[cincinnana]

I thought I was on this site somewhere pictures of someone uncovering a p-stem in the spring and they'd used the roll type insulation. But yes, it was covered in plastic to then keep it all dry.

How cold do you get in Pennsylvania? I'm in Denver and it typically will get a little below zero once or twice each winter. Typical lows will be in the mid to upper teens, average highs are mid 40s. So it won't be exposed to say, a week straight without ever going above freezing.

I lost the p-stem last winter, but lots of growth around it came back. Last winter, it seemed to turn to mush around March. But I only had it wrapped in bubble wrap. Everyone seems to agree that it needs something breathable, then covered with plastic.

Kudos to all the forum members whom shared their successful ways to overwinter their plants.

I know there are many ways to do this but this works for me in zone multiple zones for a basjoo.


You could save your self some money and just put a heavy layer of mulch, straw and all the other stuff some of the previous posters said. Even top it off with a permeable cover. I have used large bags of grass and leaves and aged manure with good results.

The object is to put as much space between the corm and the coldest winter air.


We zone 5-6 re's have too many freeze days for our plants to be protected in a wrapped vertical position.

SO do not entertain this method.

To find out our winter averages do an internet search(Weather Underground is a good place to start)..and make note of frost/freeze depth,nighttime temps, and average number of days below freezing, and snow cover.

Oddly enough it is said that one inch of snow has the R-value of 1, So 40 inches of snow equal a R40 value.

I mulch with a 8-12 inch layer of wood chips or landscape mulch. I usually do not have a good snow cover.
If you want to see more photos ....just double click on the pic.

To grow properly your plants should be planted in well drained and very fertile soil.
Preferably slightly elevated if possible.

Bubble wrap and insulation do not work on non heat producing objects....but in higher hardiness zones it does work to slow the chill getting to the plant for short term cold spells.
Some fellas put mini christmas lights(not led) around their plants and them wrap them during a cold spell....it works.

Plant are Basjoos in a well maintained local zone 5/6 botanical garden.


Mulched beds.

.
.https://c6.staticflickr.com/3/2849/11164724253_0228453fcc_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/i1A8xK)
Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/i1A8xK)
by Hostafarian (https://www.flickr.com/photos/hostafarian/),
on Flickr

Heavy landscape mulch.

.
https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7344/11164540115_9478ba481c_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/i1zbNX)
Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/i1zbNX) by
Hostafarian (https://www.flickr.com/photos/hostafarian/),
on Flickr

.
Spring growth.
.
https://c6.staticflickr.com/3/2938/14430090205_79cc010f57_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/nZ8Z5H)
Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/nZ8Z5H) by
Hostafarian (https://www.flickr.com/photos/hostafarian/),
on Flickr


.Summer growth.
https://c3.staticflickr.com/1/657/21387207458_babaf8f6b6_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/yzV2Eb)
Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/yzV2Eb) by
Hostafarian (https://www.flickr.com/photos/hostafarian/),
on Flickr

[geissene]

I agree bubble wrap and insulation don't work without a heat source, I do believe it is possible to obtain some heat from the ground. This was discussed in a previous posting by OlafHenry. [Citation needed]

Last year, I was able to save a 4' basjoo stalk through our Pennsylvania winter. It wasn't as cold as some years, but still there is usually a few days of arctic chill. Some days, the highest temperature was below 20F and we even had some nights in the single digits.

My original thread on this is here:
http://www.bananas.org/f15/uncovered-my-basjoos-pennsylvania-37421.html

I think it is possible to save individual stalks with the insulation method, however its probably not practical for a large mat with multiple stalks. Like the ones Cincinnana is showing.

Based on my expereince, if the corm is large enough, basjoo plants can recover their previous year's height very quickly. So the extra effort to save the stalk will only be noticed in early spring....

erik

[Denverian]

I agree bubble wrap and insulation don't work without a heat source, I do believe it is possible to obtain some heat from the ground. This was discussed in a previous posting by OlafHenry. [Citation needed]

Last year, I was able to save a 4' basjoo stalk through our Pennsylvania winter. It wasn't as cold as some years, but still there is usually a few days of arctic chill. Some days, the highest temperature was below 20F and we even had some nights in the single digits.

My original thread on this is here:
http://www.bananas.org/f15/uncovered-my-basjoos-pennsylvania-37421.html

I think it is possible to save individual stalks with the insulation method, however its probably not practical for a large mat with multiple stalks. Like the ones Cincinnana is showing.

Based on my expereince, if the corm is large enough, basjoo plants can recover their previous year's height very quickly. So the extra effort to save the stalk will only be noticed in early spring....

erik

The growth around my old, dead p-stem is just a bunch of smaller plants that only grew to around 3' this year. Not really all that interesting to look at.

[Denverian]

Since I chopped the top off and dug up my basjoo, it's been sitting in the garage and a new leave has begun growing. I have the root ball (corm) loosley covered in a trash bag. For anyone who's had success with this, should I go ahead and just move it to the dark, cool corner in the basement now?

[kaczercat]

Since I chopped the top off and dug up my basjoo, it's been sitting in the garage and a new leave has begun growing. I have the root ball (corm) loosley covered in a trash bag. For anyone who's had success with this, should I go ahead and just move it to the dark, cool corner in the basement now?

yep it can go to the basement now

[cincinnana]

Since I chopped the top off and dug up my basjoo, it's been sitting in the garage and a new leave has begun growing. I have the root ball (corm) loosley covered in a trash bag. For anyone who's had success with this, should I go ahead and just move it to the dark, cool corner in the basement now?

awesome. post......:woohoonaner:

[Denverian]

awesome. post......:woohoonaner:

Well, it's been placed in hibernation for the winter. Now, I wait...

[cincinnana]

Well, it's been placed in hibernation for the winter. Now, I wait...

Thx for the response.
Your plants will do well this year..

I just mulched a mat today 12+ inches of wood chips....

Side note.......

The plant is now growing on ground temperatures and will push leaves till a continuous Extended AIR TEMP of 32 or below....

Yes, the leaves will get frost bitten......but the stem will keep pushing leaves...till the pstem freezes.



.https://c7.staticflickr.com/6/5544/30290203894_96fb6ed336.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/N9DdjJ)
Mulching basjoo (https://flic.kr/p/N9DdjJ) by
Hostafarian (https://www.flickr.com/photos/hostafarian/),
on Flickr

[gmichael403]

:birthdaynana:Mine have been inside a few weeks now. Been a very warm fall...but Glad evrything is moved as we had our first freeze last night.

http://i66.tinypic.com/bf05t3.jpg
http://i67.tinypic.com/9rrckn.jpg

[Jose263]

Harbor Freight moving blankets are on sale - cheap nana wraps

[wheelman1976]

I didn't even bother to plant mine in the ground this year, was lazy and left them in the pots from last over wintering. Made life a bit easier this fall but I don't think they grew as much as being in the ground.

[Denverian]

I checked on mine in hibernation last evening. The P-stem is still firm, so I assume it's ok. I misted the roots a bit.

Since mine isn't huge, I'm thinking about planting it in a pot in the house in March to get it going. Good idea?? I assume that then the best thing would be to move it outdoors in the pot in early May to get it adjusted to intense sunlight.

I typically plant my elephant ear bulbs in pots in early April to get them going so when I plant them in the ground in early May, they already have growth.

[gmichael403]

:birthdaynana:Mine have been inside a few weeks now. Been a very warm fall...but Glad evrything is moved as we had our first freeze last night.

http://i66.tinypic.com/bf05t3.jpg
http://i67.tinypic.com/9rrckn.jpg


Today is March 18, all plants seem to have done well over winter. Goung to be 70s and 80s this week..so plants all get to stay outside and catch some rays. One more month out of the house for good

http://i63.tinypic.com/2luw57a.jpg

not sure how to rotate pic*

[kaczercat]

gmichael403

looking good! the long wait is almost over

[gmichael403]

Thank you..yes the wait is almost over. last year they started as corms and pups..got quite large. cant wait to see how big they get with such a head start this year.

[Tytaylor77]

Looking good. What all varieties do you have?

[gmichael403]

Looking good. What all varieties do you have?

I have a few orinico varities, dwarf brazilian, Namwah, Mysore (maybe its namwah) and blue Java..again...prob Namwah, Cal gold, venti cohol, and dwarf cavendish. I really like the brazilians...esp here in Oklahoma..very windy in spring..and they are just tough..and beautiful. I have had 60plus winds rip a lot apart last year..but not the Brazilians, they are troopers.

[kaczercat]

they were cut back in the fall??

[gmichael403]

Yes, I cut them at different lengths..the bigger ones I cut back to 4ft or so in October, I let them shoot out one leaf, dug up and put in sand in their overwinter pots, then left them out as long as I could before they went in a spare bedroom for winter.

[Tytaylor77]

Brazilians are amazing here too. Excellent ones to grow. Our area gets the straight line winds like you also. Namwa is a great one also here.

Brazillian is a parent of goldfinger which is my favorite tasting, dwarf, and grow even better than brazillian in my openion. My favorite grower has to be sweetheart though. They outgrow anything I have (other than tall namwa maybe). They flower fast and take the cold well also. They are insanely thick at the base of the pstem and have huge corms. Very fun to grow.

You have a great start this season. Your gonna plant the big ones in the ground next month I hope. If so you may get some flowers later this year! Good luck! I'm excited to see how they do so keep us updated.