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oldguardmom
05-06-2009, 08:46 AM
Hello everyone, my son is a member and he talks very highly of everyone. I live just South of Columbus Ohio. As you know it is cold here in the winter months, unlike the southern states. My sister (whom had breast cancer, so it was important to get this plant to grow) sent me a banana plant over a year ago. Not being real sure how to care for it I planted it in the fall then next year it did not come up. I was unaware that I was to cover it to protect it in the winter. Can you get banana plants to grow up North where I am and possible to leave them out during the winter. I would love to get some growing around my home because I know I would be the talk of the neighbor hood because NO one has any growing. I would truly cherish any help I could get. :nanertank:

Thank you
mother of a military Green Beret

Tog Tan
05-06-2009, 08:59 AM
Hi OGM! Welcome to happiest 'naner place on earth! I can't help you out on your cold growing conditions as I come from the other side of the world! The friendly, funny experts will be here with good advise soon. All the best and do keep us posted on your progress.

Cheers! :02:

Bob
05-06-2009, 09:10 AM
Green beret Mom aye, I bet your pretty tough yourself! Welcome aboard. Do you know what variety of banana you have. I'm going to guess Musa Basjoo since it sounds like someone told you it could be overwintered there. The more info you have the better. There are a few good growers from your area that hopefully will chime in. Don't worry we'll have you up and running in no time. Mean while you can read up more in the "cold hardy" section as well as using the search and wiki features on the top blue line to look up any specifics. Good luck.

oldguardmom
05-06-2009, 09:21 AM
Green beret Mom aye, I bet your pretty tough yourself! Welcome aboard. Do you know what variety of banana you have. I'm going to guess Musa Basjoo since it sounds like someone told you it could be overwintered there. The more info you have the better. There are a few good growers from your area that hopefully will chime in. Don't worry we'll have you up and running in no time. Mean while you can read up more in the "cold hardy" section as well as using the search and wiki features on the top blue line to look up any specifics. Good luck.

Thank you Bob for the reply. Yes you are right I am a tough old bird. At age 55 bought my first motorcycle, love the freedom of the wind. I will check out the site you refered me to. I am liking this group all ready, now I know why my son loves it. No I dont know what kind she sent me, but I was so excited to have my first plant, then I killed it.

Tania

harveyc
05-06-2009, 09:49 AM
Hello Tania, and welcome.

If you want to be the talk of the neighborhood, you could use some styrofoam houses for your bananas in the winter like Kevin in Utah has been doing. See http://www.bananas.org/f15/still-think-tx-star-cant-handle-6051.html.

Otherwise, grow the hardiest one you can get and mulch it with a thick layer of leaves, straw, etc. in the winter. There's lots of discussion about this sort of thing in the cold hardy banana section of the forum.

Best wishes,

Harvey

Caloosamusa
05-06-2009, 10:54 AM
Welcome to the organization Tania!

Thank you for your Service to our country through your son. It is appreciated!
I don't grow bananas in your climate, but will provide information as I can.

Best wishes to you from a Former United States Marine O! :2239:

Bananaman88
05-06-2009, 12:17 PM
Welcome to the site. You'll find a ton of great info here.

StarTrek
05-06-2009, 02:15 PM
Welcome aboard ma'am! http://www.filehive.com/files/090506/banana-tank-victory.gif

chong
05-06-2009, 02:43 PM
Welcome Miss Tania! As a few of the members here may have already said, the best bet for your area is the Musa Basjoo.

And I thank you for your wonderful organization in support of our troops. My Dad was a WWII veteran, and I have a Son, who was in the 82nd Airborne during the Panama Campaign, and with the 3rd Armored Division during Operation Desert Storm. I know the pride (and anxiety) that you feel. For our part, my wife and I do volunteer work for our local VFW Post. My wife, especially, since she's unable to work in her previous job anymore.

Whatever questions you have, please ask away! There are a lot of members who will have the answers for you.

Michael_Andrew
05-06-2009, 03:23 PM
Welcome Tania,

Actually my wife is in Columbus for training right now. I overwintered a Musa Basjoo this year in Toledo. You can see pictures of it and how I protected it in my gallery. Also check out this thread that Bob started:

http://www.bananas.org/f15/anyone-northeast-7266.html

Good luck.

Michael

saltydad
05-07-2009, 12:29 AM
Hi OGM. While I'm in zone 7 I'd second the advice from Michael and the others above. Bless your son for his service, from an old Army combat medic. May he stay safe.

stumpy4700
05-07-2009, 12:49 AM
Welcome Miss Tania, I was raised in the Great Buckeye State (Dayton). Glad you found us and I too am thankful for your family's scarifice for our freedom. :waving:

xavierdlc61887
05-07-2009, 10:39 PM
welcome aboard, you will love this site and learn alot about bananas and other tropical plants vBClassified - Bananas.org (http://www.bananas.org/vbclassified.php) enjoy your stay and look at the classified section to get u started on growing nanas and tropicals or if u are just wanting to expand your collection

LilRaverBoi
05-09-2009, 12:53 AM
Welcome to the site! While Musa Basjoo is very likely the only variety that might survive year-round in your area, you can grow most anything outdoors during the summer. Just be sure to dig it up and bring it indoors during the cold months! I've grown bananas in Iowa for years (zone 5). They do wonderful oudoors during the late spring/summer/early fall months, but be sure to dig them up before the first frost. Just put them in a south-facing window during the winter.

Enjoy the site!

matt18e
05-10-2009, 09:09 PM
I see my mom finally made it to the site. Whatch out for her shes an old cook. Love you mom!:0519: