View Full Version : Winter time
Brentp
12-15-2016, 04:33 AM
Well first year for growing in the ground and wintering. Orinoco , built a cage around 4 feet tall with flexible rubber chicken wire/fencing , cut down main plant to about a foot at an angle for drainage, pups almost to the ground, covered with compost manure mix, mulch, then straw, and wrapped each one with heavy mil black plastic and tarped. Did this a month ago before first frost, now paranoid about colder temps☹️☹️, wiki banana says zone 7 so hopefully being 6 I can pull it off! I'm uploading a few pics of the start of wrapping them up, I'll update later with final product, been too cold and I've been too busy too take final pics of their winter blanket.
Brentp
12-15-2016, 05:22 AM
[QUOTE=Brentp;300979]Well first year for growing in the ground and wintering. Orinoco , built a cage around 4 feet tall with flexible rubber chicken wire/fencing , cut down main plant to about a foot at an angle for drainage, pups almost to the ground, covered with compost manure mix, mulch, then straw, and wrapped each one with heavy mil black plastic and tarped. Did this a month ago before first frost, now paranoid about colder temps��☹️☹️, wiki banana says zone 7 so hopefully being 6 I can pull it off! I'm uploading a few pics of the start of wrapping them up, I'll update later with final product, been too cold and I've been too busy too take final pics of their winter blanket.
Still haven't figured out the pic thing, posted some under my user name let me know your thoughts!! Thanks!!
edwmax
12-15-2016, 06:22 AM
Right click on the image, then click 'copy image location'. Paste that into the 'insert image' button/window of the reply/post window.
This just builds the BB code used by the forum. The BB code tag is: [ img] [/img] ... Insert the image file location between the two tags without any spaces. Note, the url shown by the gallery is not the file location. Right click on the image or copy from the gallery notes.
I had to use a space in the first tag to break the code and make it show in this post. Other BB codes can be found at the bottom of the forum. Well I don't see them. they are around here somewhere. A general reference can be found at https://www.bbcode.org/reference.php
37.667910
12-15-2016, 11:22 AM
Well first year for growing in the ground and wintering. Orinoco , built a cage around 4 feet tall with flexible rubber chicken wire/fencing , cut down main plant to about a foot at an angle for drainage, pups almost to the ground, covered with compost manure mix, mulch, then straw, and wrapped each one with heavy mil black plastic and tarped. Did this a month ago before first frost, now paranoid about colder temps��☹️☹️, wiki banana says zone 7 so hopefully being 6 I can pull it off! I'm uploading a few pics of the start of wrapping them up, I'll update later with final product, been too cold and I've been too busy too take final pics of their winter blanket.
I hate to be the pessimist (and please do update come spring) but I think they're going to be toast. I have dwarf orinoco in the ground here in 9B and I worry about them. I just checked your weather and they are calling for 0F. I'd be shocked if they make it. It's still only December!
Good luck!
kaczercat
12-17-2016, 05:18 PM
Orinoco in zone 6.. p-stem won't survive. If the base of the plant was wrapped with christmas lights, there would be a better chance.
davekleinman
12-18-2016, 02:43 PM
Orinoco in zone 6.. p-stem won't survive. If the base of the plant was wrapped with christmas lights, there would be a better chance.
I'm a newb and planted banana's in courtyard area of my house last August. They did extremely well imo and now we had this huge cold snap ~ 26 this morning in Austin. I'm a little bummed since last winter was so warm here. So after a little research here, I'm guessing They'll freeze and I cut them back...... would I wrap the base with lights and leave them on all the time??? I only have 2 groups of trees. Maybe I can post a pic later. Thanks!
P.S. Love all the banana emoji's .... lol :08:
kaczercat
12-18-2016, 06:14 PM
davekleinman, maybe just have them on during the nights that are in the 20's zone 8? you should see new pups in the spring.
sputinc7
12-18-2016, 07:30 PM
Kansas City gets pretty cold for bananas. Maybe with lots of mulching like you described and some heat tape in a circle on top of the ground plus a mild winter...
I had Gladiolus survive a central Illinois winter one year with no protection at all (REALLY mild winter that year.), so it's possible... but not every year.
SocalYellowBanana
12-18-2016, 11:12 PM
It's dropping here at my home @ 41* here tonight! Getting really cold for my nanners:santananer::santananer:
Brentp
12-19-2016, 02:32 AM
I've grown citrus trees from seed, grafted a orange tree, germinated banana seeds, experience with hydroponics, so I have a pretty good green thumb, hopefully they make it through the winter, I've over composted, mulched , built a cage stuffed with straw , and wrapped them up , and then tarped them. I grow my garden plants in 5 gallon buckets so I surrounded them around the ones I left outside, it's an experiment, if I succeed I'll be happy , if not next year I'll try another plan or bring everything inside, don't worry I have backups, these things grew so big this year I had to try!!!!
Brentp
12-19-2016, 02:48 AM
It's dropping here at my home @ 41* here tonight! Getting really cold for my nanners:santananer::santananer:
From what I've read and researched is if the rhizome doesn't freeze the plant will survive, cold weather species have a bigger root system to survive these extremes, I don't have Baso but hopefully I can pull it off with a zone 7 plant insulated for winter, first year I've planted them in the ground and I ended up with literally tree trunks , so hopefully being wrapped up, deep root system they'll make it!!!
Denverian
12-29-2016, 04:24 PM
From what I've read and researched is if the rhizome doesn't freeze the plant will survive, cold weather species have a bigger root system to survive these extremes, I don't have Baso but hopefully I can pull it off with a zone 7 plant insulated for winter, first year I've planted them in the ground and I ended up with literally tree trunks , so hopefully being wrapped up, deep root system they'll make it!!!
Good luck! I tried overwintering Basjoo last winter here in Denver (zone 6) and lost the p-stem, but it came back from the ground. I bought another one and brought in the p-stem for the winter, keeping it in a cool, dark spot in the basement. It actually grew in there for a while, but looks to be asleep right now.
I think this is going to be a bad winter with what appears to be regular Arctic outbreaks. Another one is coming next week. Uhg!
cincinnana
12-29-2016, 10:07 PM
Just tossing this out.......when Christmas lights are referenced in all posts as a "heat source" historically the folks are not referring to LED lights.
They are referring to the deeply discounted incandescent mini bulbs that are on sale NOW .....Does not matter what color.
Some say red is the color to go with, but as a Bengals fan I use OraNgE.
When you wrap the stem include a thermometer in there some where to monitor the heat output.
The tighter and closer the light wrap the more heat is produced and directed to the stem. Less is more your goal is above freezing 33 degrees or above
As a test wrap the lights around your arm in various patterns.... you will notice the different heat patterns/concentrations on your arm.
For those whom have raised baby's if is too hot on wrist .....it will be to hot on your plant. Luke warm is Cool.... Warm is UNcOoL....hot is Not.
A Louisiana member whom has not posted in a bit had this down pat( used lights) for his zone for many years
Use common sense.
LEDs do not put out enough heat.
edwmax
12-30-2016, 08:03 AM
Just tossing this out.......when Christmas lights are referenced in all posts as a "heat source" historically the folks are not referring to LED lights.
They are referring to the deeply discounted incandescent mini bulbs that are on sale NOW .....Does not matter what color.
Some say red is the color to go with, but as a Bengals fan I use OraNgE.
When you wrap the stem include a thermometer in there some where to monitor the heat output.
The tighter and closer the light wrap the more heat is produced and directed to the stem. Less is more your goal is above freezing 33 degrees or above
As a test wrap the lights around your arm in various patterns.... you will notice the different heat patterns/concentrations on your arm.
For those whom have raised baby's if is too hot on wrist .....it will be to hot on your plant. Luke warm is Cool.... Warm is UNcOoL....hot is Not.
A Louisiana member whom has not posted in a bit had this down pat( used lights) for his zone for many years
Use common sense.
LEDs do not put out enough heat.
Why not use 'water pipe Heat tape" sold at hardware stores to prevent pipe freeze. Most of these have thermostats to turn the tape strip on & off as the outside temp changes.
Starstryke
12-30-2016, 01:43 PM
Why not use 'water pipe Heat tape" sold at hardware stores to prevent pipe freeze. Most of these have thermostats to turn the tape strip on & off as the outside temp changes.
I like this idea. Found a deal on a two pack on amazon but they are only 6ft long. https://www.amazon.com/BOXING-Weather-Heating-Built-Thermostat/dp/B01LP277QG/ref=pd_lpo_60_tr_t_3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=NK2GJ1E9N28BTJG9G1PY is where you can find the deal. Apparently they are made to keep your pipes above 45F.
cincinnana
12-30-2016, 05:57 PM
Why not use 'water pipe Heat tape" sold at hardware stores to prevent pipe freeze. Most of these have thermostats to turn the tape strip on & off as the outside temp changes.
Why ....heck yes......that works well too.
I was going for for the cost/economical folks.......I am so tight I squeak when I breakdance..
In zone 5,6,7,....dead to the ground.
Starstryke
12-30-2016, 06:35 PM
I am really considering getting a couple of the 6 footers and at least one 30 ft so I can serpentine it around all of my potted bananas in the garage.
cincinnana
12-30-2016, 06:46 PM
I am really considering getting a couple of the 6 footers and at least one 30 ft so I can serpentine it around all of my potted bananas in the garage.
Some of the fellas just left of you in LA and ARK use them and have great results .....especially when the temps really dip down.
CraigSS
12-30-2016, 08:14 PM
Why not use 'water pipe Heat tape" sold at hardware stores to prevent pipe freeze. Most of these have thermostats to turn the tape strip on & off as the outside temp changes.
Heat tape is self regulating and will not overheat the area it is in or on.
Craig
Starstryke
01-01-2017, 12:14 AM
Some of the fellas just left of you in LA and ARK use them and have great results .....especially when the temps really dip down.
Sigh, I am starting to wonder if we are ever going to get a winter down here. The closest we got is it hit 30F for a night or two and then shot back up to 70F which it is forecasted to be for the next week.
davekleinman
01-04-2017, 10:19 AM
So I cut mine back and wrapped some old xmas lights around the base and covered them in soil. But it's been warm and now they are starting to grow again. Do I just cut them back again? It's suppose to be below freezing again in a couple of days.
edwmax
01-04-2017, 11:54 AM
Heat tape is self regulating and will not overheat the area it is in or on.
Craig
First, I haven't used these on my plants. I have no need to. But I have used the heat tapes on my water pipes when I lived in Atlanta. They have instructions as to how many warps per foot of pipe depending on regional low temperature expected. ... Too many warps the tape can heat water in the pipes. So the tape might be able to burn the plant, but there again so can the Christmas tree light bulbs.
One or two warps of heat tape per foot of plant should be enough for most locations. But, just out of caution, I wouldn't put the tape in direct contact with the pstem. A light warp with cloth or insulation, then the heat tape and then cover with insulation.
Starstryke
01-04-2017, 01:49 PM
For the potted plants in the garage the plan is to do a couple of loops around the outside of each pot and then go to the next. For any outdoors I may do as you suggest, just getting a little concerned as apparently there is a danger if I leave them outdoors and it rains.
cincinnana
01-05-2017, 07:58 PM
I am really considering getting a couple of the 6 footers and at least one 30 ft so I can serpentine it around all of my potted bananas in the garage.
just for thought...
Unless you have a nice bank of grow lights to match that nice warm soil that you are creating you might not want to create that "grow" environment for your plants.
ME...I have a few containers in a basement environment at 65-70 no light/ low light environment which do well.
I almost want to say save some money and see what happens.
Some of the fellas just left of you in LA and ARK use them and have great results .....especially when the temps really dip down.
I mean dip down into the 25-35's
So I cut mine back and wrapped some old xmas lights around the base and covered them in soil. But it's been warm and now they are starting to grow again. Do I just cut them back again? It's suppose to be below freezing again in a couple of days.
Mine do the same thing as well as many growers in the area...let them be and let nature take its course. Just observe for future reference and watch nature take its course......which is cool, go out in a few weeks and look at the pstem at ground level...you will see what I mean and you will have a great understanding. Have fun
Mine in my zone 5/6 will stop growing when the ground temps reach 30 degrees
For the potted plants in the garage the plan is to do a couple of loops around the outside of each pot and then go to the next. For any outdoors I may do as you suggest, just getting a little concerned as apparently there is a danger if I leave them outdoors and it rains.
.
From others experience and observations.
Unless you are putting lights on those heated containers......you might want to just leave them in the cool state that they are in.
Heat equals growth...and with growth you need light .....Lots of it. Especially for bananas.
This is when folks will kill their plants.
They /me think the plant need more water to grow when in fact the plant is begging for a nice sun like source for heat and light.
Starstryke
01-05-2017, 09:47 PM
I bought two 300w or so LEDs off of ebay, I just need to install them in the ceiling as I doubt my neighbors think it's funny that the side of their house is now tinged purple at night. Also expecting 28 for two nights in a row this weekend. Then 70 on Monday or Tuesday so no clue what that freaky weather will do to all of the plants outdoors.
Brentp
05-27-2017, 09:27 PM
Guess what I found under mulch and hay
Tytaylor77
05-28-2017, 12:28 AM
Guess what I found under mulch and hay
FIRE ANTS!!
J/K I hope it's something good!
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