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Denverian
03-08-2016, 04:21 PM
I'm crazy... trying to grow bananas at over a mile high altitude!

I moved to Denver from the L.A. area and miss the tropical vegetation. I had been growing other types of Bananas each summer, and bringing them indoors for winter. But I really don't have a good indoor space. So last spring I found a nice sized Musa Basjoo from a local garden center and it grew taller than any other I've tried.

I decided to over-winter it outdoors, trimming the trunk back to about 4' and covered it with two layers of bubble wrap, then filled a trash bag with leaves and covered that mess (plus 3 or 4 pups I bubble wrapped), then about a food of leaves around it all, and covered all of that with a nice green frost tent.

It's been quite warm here recently and I felt to see if the main trunk was still firm, and the top isn't. But it feels firm down low. Probably a good sign. I truly hope this makes it and blooms again! The coldest we've been is 6 above 0 this winter, and no high temps below upper teens, maybe low 20s. Overall, it hasn't been a bad winter here, so it was a good year to start this experiment.

HMelendez
03-08-2016, 06:47 PM
Welcome to the banana gang!...

cincinnana
03-08-2016, 08:51 PM
Welcome to the Jungle!!!!:woohoonaner:



Have fun here and good luck with your Basjoos.
Anytime they come back in the spring you're doing something good.
Here is a link which you might find of interest
http://www.bananas.org/f10/hibernating-basjoo-19512.html#post235281

Snarkie
03-09-2016, 01:11 PM
I'm crazy... trying to grow bananas at over a mile high.And I thought the Mekong Giant was tall! :ha:

Welcome to the Banana Express. :nanerwaveytrain:

Mark Dragt
03-13-2016, 11:28 AM
Welcome to the org. I hope you feel at home here.

Sounds like you put a lot of thought and work into overwintering your Basjoos. Good job! Your plants will reward you for your efforts. Good luck!

:woohoonaner: