Donetta

[geissene]

Are you sure it is holding the 11F temperature?? I see the word MIN shown on your thermometer display. That usually means it is displaying the lowest temperature measured ..... You probably have a MAX button also.

[beam2050]

Are you sure it is holding the 11F temperature?? I see the word MIN shown on your thermometer display. That usually means it is displaying the lowest temperature measured ..... You probably have a MAX button also.yeo, :ha: it always pays to read the directions. good eye

[mari@adams.net]

Not for sure, will check the directions.

[mari@adams.net]

Thanks for pointing that out to me....it seems the corrected temp is 37* this morning under the mulch and tarp. Thinking the plastic tarp is holding the cold temps in, our outside temp now is 45*.

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=65568&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=65568&ppuser=27877)

[geissene]

Just wanted to add some other information about over wintering bananas. The link below shows how foam insulation can be used to make a banana hut. The designer keeps empty space around the pstems rather than stuffing leaves/straw right up against the pstem. This should reduce mold growth and allow more heat from the ground to travel up the pstem and keep it 'warmer'.

Some year if I have pstems of almost equal size, I'll cover both with a pile of leaves but allow some empty space around the pstem on one of the two.

Something to think about.....

Erik

Link is here:
http://www.bananas.org/f2/permanent-banana-shelter-winter-spring-17855.html

[mari@adams.net]

Thanks for posting this, I saw it before, but had forgotten about it. I might try something like that next year.

[cincinnana]

What is the temp now...??????:woohoonaner:


Pop off a photo of those ripe Orinoco.

[mari@adams.net]

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=65586&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=65586&ppuser=27877)
It is 9:30 p.m. here and the temp inside the straw is 38*. The outside temp is 34*. We had a heavy wind here last night and today with wind gusts up to 50 mph. The wind blew through the straw and pushed the tarp up, (didn't move it much, just blew and floated the tarp up some even with some weights I had placed on top of the tarp. I think the plants got a good airing out.

[cincinnana]

You bananas should be about ripe by now .:08:

[mari@adams.net]

I only wish they were ripe....seems since I brought them in last fall, they stopped growing. I haven't fertilized them and don't water much. Think they need some warm sun and hot weather which they won't get for another few months. Don't know if they will do anymore than what they've already done.

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=65684&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=65684&ppuser=27877)

[cincinnana]

They should be coming along soon:08:

Spring is getting closer by about minute a day..:)

[mari@adams.net]

How do I report the above post from celestexa18.

[geissene]

There is a warning icon in the bottom left of each post. Underneath the poster's name. I flagged it already

[mari@adams.net]

Thanks geissene, I see the icon now, didn't realize it was there.

[mari@adams.net]

I've started uncovering the Basjoos (the 10 day forecast has 60-70*'s-lows 40-50*) for the next 10 days. They are mushing down to the corm....can only hope the mother corm is okay.http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=65907&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=65907&ppuser=27877)

[mari@adams.net]

After trimming some of the mush off mother seems to be okay....do I continue to get rid of more mush or leave it alone for now. http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=65908&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=65908&ppuser=27877)

[Backyard Banana Joe]

After trimming some of the mush off mother seems to be okay....do I continue to get rid of more mush or leave it alone for now. http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=65908&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=65908&ppuser=27877)

How did the Orinoco bunch mature?

[mari@adams.net]

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=65909&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=65909&ppuser=27877)

The bunch hasn't changed much but the leaves didn't do so well....when I put them outside, do you think they will do anything other than die....there is a pup attached to mother.

[Backyard Banana Joe]

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=65909&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=65909&ppuser=27877)

The bunch hasn't changed much but the leaves didn't do so well....when I put them outside, do you think they will do anything other than die....there is a pup attached to mother.



They look pretty good for over wintering! Should ripen!

[cincinnana]

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=65909&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=65909&ppuser=27877)

The bunch hasn't changed much but the leaves didn't do so well....when I put them outside, do you think they will do anything other than die....there is a pup attached to mother.

Looking fantastic......:woohoonaner:

[mari@adams.net]

Not for sure what to do with the overwintered Basjoos. Do I leave them alone or give them a fresh cut? Any help would be appreciated.http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=65921&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=65921&ppuser=27877)

[cincinnana]

Not for sure what to do with the overwintered Basjoos. Do I leave them alone or give them a fresh cut? Any help would be appreciated.http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=65921&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=65921&ppuser=27877)

Kinda do what you have done for the last 3 years...
Do not change a thing......
Your plants look amazing.

[mari@adams.net]

This is the first year I have had Mother plant make it through the winter. Part of it is mushy but the center has a firm part which I believe is the center leaves. I'm wondering if the mushy part (extremely wet) needs cut off or just leave it alone. I wonder if to give the base a clean cut at the bottom. In past years, the base was all mush and had to depend on the corm to grow pups, this year Mother seems okay in the center but has a lot of 'mush' around it.

[mari@adams.net]

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=65932&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=65932&ppuser=27877)

Looks like all the Basjoos made it through the winter except 2 or 3 of them. Hope the ones that made it bloom this year. Some are 'pushing' and showing some green.

[cincinnana]

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=65932&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=65932&ppuser=27877)

Looks like all the Basjoos made it through the winter except 2 or 3 of them. Hope the ones that made it bloom this year. Some are 'pushing' and showing some green.

That pile of muck looks awesome....
Looks like my bush.....
great job!!!!!:woohoonaner:

[mari@adams.net]

I planted the Dwarf Cavendish and since it wasn't 'pushing', cut into the stalk....afraid of cutting into a bloom, but found that it had rotted. So.....should I just pull the plant up as the bloom is the last of that stalk or will it put out some pups. Very disappointing to see the bloom had rotted.
Could there possibly be a second bloom on the stalk?http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=66003&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=66003&ppuser=27877)

[mari@adams.net]

The hardy Basjoos one month after uncovering from the winter. So glad so many of the 'Mothers' made it through the winter....hoping for blooms on them this year. Think I will call them the 'Clydedales'.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=66004&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=66004&ppuser=27877)

[Backyard Banana Joe]

I planted the Dwarf Cavendish and since it wasn't 'pushing', cut into the stalk....afraid of cutting into a bloom, but found that it had rotted. So.....should I just pull the plant up as the bloom is the last of that stalk or will it put out some pups. Very disappointing to see the bloom had rotted.
Could there possibly be a second bloom on the stalk?http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=66003&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=66003&ppuser=27877)



Very doubtful.....

[cincinnana]

The hardy Basjoos one month after uncovering from the winter. So glad so many of the 'Mothers' made it through the winter....hoping for blooms on them this year. Think I will call them the 'Clydedales'.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=66004&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=66004&ppuser=27877)

Awesome .......
Your hostas are crazy....:08:

[mari@adams.net]

Can anyone tell me what is wrong with the Basjoo leaves? So far, they are coming out with a ripple to them. Could it be lack of water? http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=66022&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=66022&ppuser=27877)

[mari@adams.net]

The d. cavendish has been in the ground about 3 weeks now and the middle leaf doesn't seem to be growing any. It has been ground fertilized and I have foliage sprayed it with fertilizer. Is it just a waiting game.http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=66023&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=66023&ppuser=27877)

[mari@adams.net]

The Orinoco bunch that was overwintered in the basement (Illinois) (and now outside) is ripening ....very exciting for northern people (anyway me). I have picked a few ripe ones and they are very tasty and flavorful. While taking the plant outside, the stem broke so cut the bunch off and hung it in a small tree, didn't really know what else to do with it. So I'm thinking,,if I had cut the bunch off when the plant was put in the basement last fall, they might have gone ahead and ripened up then.http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=66039&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=66039&ppuser=27877)http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=66038&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=66038&ppuser=27877)

[Akula]

The d. cavendish has been in the ground about 3 weeks now and the middle leaf doesn't seem to be growing any. It has been ground fertilized and I have foliage sprayed it with fertilizer. Is it just a waiting game.

First couple leaves after winter dormancy are always weak for me. As the weather warms the leaves improve.

[Akula]

The Orinoco bunch that was overwintered in the basement (Illinois) (and now outside) is ripening ....

That's awesome! You are going to be a gardening legend in your neighborhood!

[Backyard Banana Joe]

Be careful that the free rats don't steal your bunch. I would hang inside........ And if you you had harvested the bunch in the fall, I think the story would have been different....... The connection was still there, so maturing happened while that stem was connected. Good jod! I knew you could do it!!!!

[geissene]

Congrats! I'm happy to see the bunch made it!

Erik

[mari@adams.net]

I took the advice and bought the small bunch of bananas in from outside. Have already eaten a few off the bunch and they were delicious. Only wish there were more. Going to share tomorrow with my neighbor. Have learned everything I know about bananas from this forum...thanks to all. Hope I can get another bunch this summer.http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=66041&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=66041&ppuser=27877)

[mari@adams.net]

Could someone tell me what is going on with the Dwarf Cavendish....it doesn't seem to want to push the leaves out of the stem. I finally cut the old overwintered leaves off and it did start to push a leaf, but then seemed to be stuck. I cut into the outer part of the stem and it did go ahead and push the new leaf out along with another leaf. Part of the leaf is without much color...does that mean it wasn't ready to come out? The plant has some 12-12-12- scratch into the soil and I have watered it with a water soluble Miracle Grow 18-18-21. I also sprayed the foliage with the Miracle Grow. http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=66090&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=66090&ppuser=27877)

[Backyard Banana Joe]

Huh........ Maybe a pup is taking over..... Sometimes it happens if the mother is weak and sacrificed itself for it's pups...... Really sucks to be honest. In that case the mother will die and pups will come up if they are Not already up. Has happened to me four times. All four were stalks that would have fruited in several months. Again p, really stinks. I would just leave and see if that stalk wants to grow. If not, then probably as stated above, a pup(s) will grow. Good luck!

[mari@adams.net]

Huh........ Maybe a pup is taking over..... Sometimes it happens if the mother is weak and sacrificed itself for it's pups...... Really sucks to be honest. In that case the mother will die and pups will come up if they are Not already up. Has happened to me four times. All four were stalks that would have fruited in several months. Again p, really stinks. I would just leave and see if that stalk wants to grow. If not, then probably as stated above, a pup(s) will grow. Good luck!

Yes, it is putting off about 4 pups (small)...wondered if this is causing it, too....It should be or would have had a bloom this year.

[Backyard Banana Joe]

One time I had a super dwarf that looked exactly like yours. It made three pups. I did an experiment and removed the pups. The plant looked like CRAP but survived. It doesn't always work but sometimes it does.

[mari@adams.net]

One time I had a super dwarf that looked exactly like yours. It made three pups. I did an experiment and removed the pups. The plant looked like CRAP but survived. It doesn't always work but sometimes it does.

This plant should bear bananas, it is 2-3 years old.....I was wondering about taking the pups off......do you think if I did, it would go ahead and produce a bloom.

[Backyard Banana Joe]

It might? You can try. Or it might be better to leave the pups on so if you DO dig the pups, and the mother does anyway, then it would be longer for you to get fruit

[mari@adams.net]

It might? You can try. Or it might be better to leave the pups on so if you DO dig the pups, and the mother does anyway, then it would be longer for you to get fruit

I did remove the pups. I would like for Mother to go ahead and do her 'thing. It was when I saw she was making pups that I noticed that her growth declined, like her strength was being sapped. One pup did have a few small roots on it so will see how it does. I thought bearing fruit was the last of the Mother stem before she died and she hasn't done that yet. Know there is a bloom inside her....I had another plant the same age and it rotted at the base...I split the stem and it had a bloom inside so feel there is also a bloom inside this Mother.

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=66003&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=66003&ppuser=27877)

[mari@adams.net]

I think Mother must be 'brain dead'...I've cut her down to almost half and still no response on doing any growth herself...cut off a few pups and I see another is growing. Never had a bloom, thought this year she might, but don't know of anything else I can do for her. http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=66099&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=66099&ppuser=27877)

[cincinnana]

I think Mother must be 'brain dead'...I've cut her down to almost half and still no response on doing any growth herself...cut off a few pups and I see another is growing. Never had a bloom, thought this year she might, but don't know of anything else I can do for her. http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=66099&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=66099&ppuser=27877)

Mothers get like that.....:woohoonaner:

Dads do too........

The plant keeps chugging away......

[mari@adams.net]

Since the Dwarf Cavendish was at a standstill, I decided to cut it down a little at a time to the bottom. I found what is pictured....don't know if it will start growing again. It looks like it was in a 'bunch'. Do you think there will be any more growth on this plant.http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=66108&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=66108&ppuser=27877)

[bushwack]

I had a couple of Orinoco's do that earlier in the year,, now you can't even tell anything was wrong with them

[mari@adams.net]

I had a couple of Orinoco's do that earlier in the year,, now you can't even tell anything was wrong with them


I hope it will continue to grow as it should have a bloom this year.

[mari@adams.net]

I'm hoping the plant continues to grow.....looks like it is going to put out a new leaf. It has 3 pups with it ..already took off 4 a week or so ago. Should these remain or be taken off.http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=66115&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=66115&ppuser=27877)

[Akula]

I'm hoping the plant continues to grow.....looks like it is going to put out a new leaf. It has 3 pups with it ..already took off 4 a week or so ago. Should these remain or be taken off.

Depends on your objective but if you are going for a flower I would remove all pups as they will pull energy away from the Mother plant which with only a couple leaves she will need. Pot up a replacement plant for next year.

[mari@adams.net]

Depends on your objective but if you are going for a flower I would remove all pups as they will pull energy away from the Mother plant which with only a couple leaves she will need. Pot up a replacement plant for next year.

Yes, I'm hoping for a flower, have already taken 4 pups off and have 3 more coming on so will remove them also. I have other D. Cavendish plants so have them to fall back on if Mother blooms. Thanks for replying.

[Backyard Banana Joe]

Nor sure, but that MIGHT be a flag leaf

[mari@adams.net]

Nor sure, but that MIGHT be a flag leaf
That would be nice if it was.