Growing 'Musa Basjoo' in London, Ontario, Canada... [Archive] - Page 2

kaczercat

10-23-2010, 10:26 AM

okay so what i did was chop the leaves off all, then chop the plant down to 2 or 3 inches from the ground. Stuch a tomato cage thing around it. Next i rapped christmas lights , but you dont need them. i stuffed it with leaves and mulch . rapping it with /or covering it with burlap would help.then a tarp.

Good luck !

Kevin

10-23-2010, 10:39 AM

How tall is it now? I just dug up my Dwarf Orinoco last week. It has a 5' p-stem! It was buried a few inches deeper, and it had one pup that I could see. After I dug it up, it had at least 3 more coming! I would guess, if you dug it up, or just tried to uncover the soil around the stem, you might see some pups. I don't know how much ground they can grow through, though.

willy1der

10-23-2010, 12:35 PM

My method was put bags of leaves around the p stems(3 ft),then filled the middle with leaves,then a bag on top.then a blanket on top and a tarp on top of that..It is also against a south facing brick wall and Ive yet to save the stems but they grow from the corm immediatly after I uncover them in late april.When the temp dips down after that I just throw a garbage can over them at night. This year I am wrapping with burlap and using pipe heating cables.Then I have a garbage can with the bottom cut out that Im putting over the stems and then filling with leaves and maybe a tarp over that.If that dont work then next year there getting dug up and stored in the cold room.

willy1der

10-23-2010, 12:38 PM

Forgot to mention HBL,I have a friend down the road from you(Argyle area) who put a foot of straw over his and small tarp and they came back come spring,not till mid may but they came back!!!

Jack Daw

10-23-2010, 01:41 PM

Do I cut them back down to the ground? Do I wrap them with burlap (have lots) and then a bag?

Can't you bring them inside? They are too small and young to be kept outside, more established and older plants are protected outisde.

The Hollyberry Lady

10-23-2010, 02:22 PM

Jack, this one I have is over a year old and I've been preparing to establish it as a perennial, as many other Ontario gardeners have done. It's been buried extra deep to help it's survival. It's about 3-4 feet tall now and it's plenty over a year old. It spent last Winter indoors.

Thanks for the advice Willy. That's exactly where I live...in the Argyle area! Hoping that with all the tips and suggestions here, I might find a good way to protect mine over the cold months too. Thank you for sharing you & your friends' experience.

The 2nd Basjoo I got at the Tree Farm Springbank nursery, came with a label that simply instructed cutting the leaves off the plant at the end of the season and using them for mulch. The lady at the nursery says she doesn't wrap hers at all, and still it has returned two seasons in a row!

I guess only time will tell, but this is really just an experiment, to see what happens. If neither plant survives, I can get another Basjoo next year.

Thanks for all the great advice, you guys! Thanks for the plant, Matt! :08:

: )

The Hollyberry Lady

10-24-2010, 10:23 PM

Ok, here's what I've decided to do tomorrow evening...

I'm going to chop the plant down to two feet. Then I'm going to wrap it snuggly with a bunch of burlap, round & round repeatedly, and then a plastic tarp around that. I'll mulch around the base with the cut banana leaves.

As Willy knows, we get lots of snow here in London, and it can act as a mulch in itself. We also have lots of tree leaves too, that I intend on mounding up around the base.

Sound good enough?

: )

Kevin

10-24-2010, 10:49 PM

It's your plant, so...

I think it has been said before, but the only good protecting them will do, is to save the corm, and whatever pups there are. The stalk won't survive - unless you can keep it REALLY warm. So, might as well cut it right down, so it will be easier to insulate the corm. Just my thoughts.:)

The Hollyberry Lady

10-24-2010, 11:12 PM

Kevin

10-24-2010, 11:42 PM

Experimenting is good, but there isn't much point in protecting a plant that isn't going to survive anyway. When you get two or more plants, then you can try to keep the pstem on one of them and see how it goes. Good luck!

The Hollyberry Lady

10-25-2010, 12:02 AM

You can't say it won't survive with absolute certainty though Kevin...that's what experimenting is all about. Besides that, I do have two plants already.

I would just like some pups in Spring and I'll be happy, but I don't want to have to bring it indoors when others in London don't either and still theirs survives each season.

I'm kind of excited to see what will happen but I'll do my best to protect the root systems over winter.

: )

willy1der

10-25-2010, 12:53 PM

Your protection method will do the trick,I would like to say just forget about them and see what comes up in spring but I found myself every couple of weeks checking if there alive or not.I am now convinced of basjoos hardiness,so I am going to forget about them this winter.You will see what I mean,lol.good luck

The Hollyberry Lady

10-25-2010, 02:24 PM

Thanks Willy! :waving:

I love it that you live in the very city I live in and have had success with yours. The lady at the TreeFarm nursery acted like protecting them for the winter, was really no big deal here at all. :08:

Bob tells me he thinks it's because of our consistent snow coverage. It keeps the corm warm over winter. :D

I'll be sure to let you guys know how it all works out but I'm very optimistic and anticipating a positive outcome. :rolleyes:

Thanks again, Willy! ;)

: )

Kevin

10-25-2010, 07:02 PM

You can't say it won't survive with absolute certainty though Kevin...that's what experimenting is all about. Besides that, I do have two plants already.

Yes, I know I'm not certain, but judging by what others have said, it seems very unlikely that the stem would survive. I did say you could experiment with two plants, and see if the stem on one of them survives. I would think it would be much easier to cover the plant without the stem, so I thought that would be a good experiment. Good luck with yours, and let us know how it turns out.

saltydad

10-25-2010, 08:45 PM

I think you might be right but there also might be a misunderstanding...

I'm not really interested in protecting the mother plant so it continues growing next year...just want the roots to survive from year to year and send up new pups. Just like experimenting.

On 2nd thought and because of you Kevin...

I think I'll cut the sucker to the ground and then heavily mulch. Thanks for your thoughts...sounds lower maintenance anyway, which is appealing.

: )

This is exactly what I did with my basjoos for 4 years. I used a foot or two of straw as my mulch. I didn't use a tarp, but it's probably a good idea. You'll love it when they poke up from the rotten mess next spring and with mucho pups!!!

The Hollyberry Lady

10-25-2010, 09:41 PM

Thanks Howard! I'm so excited about Springtime! :goteam:

Yup, for sure Kevin, I'll keep you guys posted...

Thanks for all the great advice, Everyone. :waving:

: )

willy1der

10-26-2010, 12:08 PM

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=19334&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=19334&ppuser=4074)This is first year in ground,about the size of your basjoo HBLhttp://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=36087&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=36087&ppuser=4074)and this is 2nd year(mid summer)

The Hollyberry Lady

10-26-2010, 10:58 PM

Wow Willy, those shots are just gorgeous! :goteam:

Thanks so much for sharing them. :) Your plants look so lush and healthy...so perfect looking.

You're getting me excited about mine. :08:

Feel free to post your shots here anytime...

: )

Kevin

10-26-2010, 11:06 PM

So, when grown from the corm in your climate, how tall does the p-stem get on yours by the time you get it ready for winter?

That second pic looks like you have a whole lot more plants than the year before! Are those all from pups that you divided off and planted separately?

willy1der

10-27-2010, 01:29 AM

Started with 2 plants with 1 pup each,this spring a total of 13 stems and they range from 3 ft to almost 5ft,nothing divided!!!

HBL-Ill have extra come spring if your corm dont make it (it will).

Kevin

10-27-2010, 07:09 PM

Started with 2 plants with 1 pup each,this spring a total of 13 stems and they range from 3 ft to almost 5ft,nothing divided!!!

HBL-Ill have extra come spring if your corm dont make it (it will).

5 feet of stem in one year!!?? I gotta get me one of those! My Dwarf Orinoco grew a 5 foot stem from last summer, all through the winter inside, and now this summer outside. How can you get that in just one summer? How do you grow it? Fertilizer?

What all is in that pic with the bananas? I see a large clum of banana, then beside it looks almost banana-like, but a bit different, then another banana, and possible a dark Canna?

kaczercat

10-27-2010, 07:49 PM

Yeah Kevin , you should plant them in the ground and dig for winter if you already dont here is a few pics of mine from this year early June 6-Sept. I got a good 5 feet too.
June 6
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=32558&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=32558&ppuser=3715)

Early Sept
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=36243&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=36243)

I know this isn't a basjoo but i think edibles grow faster. Maybe it's the spot but just my experience. :)

Kevin

10-27-2010, 08:56 PM

I'm talking about the actual p-stem - below the last leaf. Mine was 9' tall in total, but a 5' p-stem. Are we talking the same thing? Your picture doesn't look like 5'.

I will try a basjoo sometime. Maybe next year. I have no idea how I would cover it, though. Anything that I am pushing the zone on, I pot up and bury in a hole, then a pile of leaves. What zone are Newmarket and London in? zone 5 or 6? That is really pushing it for here. It could be possible to get a zone 5 to come through, but not a zone 6, and for sure not if I leave it planted in the yard and just cover it.

kaczercat

10-27-2010, 09:36 PM

well your right the actual p-stem was way less i have measuring issues lol that must have been like 3 and a half feet, i just measured it now and its 4'5 minus a foot cause it started in june at a foot, oh well we can only hope or the best this up coming winter/summer. The location that it's planted in is the biggest thing of coarse along with heat. good luck with urs. oh i have heard plant basjoos beside a house foundation will help. something to do with the heat from the house , i had read it a few places. thats where mine is and is staying.

The Hollyberry Lady

10-27-2010, 10:25 PM

Started with 2 plants with 1 pup each,this spring a total of 13 stems and they range from 3 ft to almost 5ft,nothing divided!!!

HBL-Ill have extra come spring if your corm dont make it (it will).

Just amazing Willy. You obviously know what you're doing by the look of those pics! :eek:

So nice of you to offer to replace my Basjoo if it doesn't make it. You're very nice like that and when I first joined the site, you were one of the few members who so kindly and generously offered me a free banana plant!

Think I was just nervous about meeting people from the internet but I still appreciated your offer, way back when.

Kaczercat too, Matt, sent me a beautiful Basjoo and it's the one displayed in my pictures throughout this thread...

Nice shots, by the way Matt. :03:

Your banana plants are really spectacular Willy. It's like a wide grove of them, and that reddish one is a beauty...what is that?

You've really given me a lot of hope that my Basjoos will return next year. Thanks again for your pics and input. Feel free to share more whenever you want. You're in London too and that's what this thread is about...Basjoo's in London. :08:

Kevin...

Underneath my screenname it tells you what zone I'm in...5b.

: )

willy1der

10-28-2010, 02:06 AM

5 feet of stem in one year!!?? I gotta get me one of those! My Dwarf Orinoco grew a 5 foot stem from last summer, all through the winter inside, and now this summer outside. How can you get that in just one summer? How do you grow it? Fertilizer?

What all is in that pic with the bananas? I see a large clum of banana, then beside it looks almost banana-like, but a bit different, then another banana, and possible a dark Canna?

Kevin-Lots of water,and all I used was miracle grow,they dont sell any specalized fertilizer here unless I went to the hydroponic shop and paid $$$$$
Beside the basjoo is canna indica(I think)picked the seeds in the dominican and beside that is musella lasiocarpa grown from seed(3yrs old) and some basic esculenta E.E from the asian market.

The Hollyberry Lady

10-28-2010, 02:29 AM

I feed my banana plants with Blood & Bonemeal and then an organic, water-soluble mixture called DNF (Dutch Nutrient Formula). I buy it from Vantage Hydroponics on Adelaide, Willy. It's not super overpriced but works excellently, and it's organic, in case you're ever interested...

Wondering if anyone has ever noticed after awhile that the signature red vein on the leaves of Basjoo seems to disappear? Is this from not enough sunlight?

: )

willy1der

10-29-2010, 01:29 AM

I remember vantage hydro when it was on clarke and gore I beleive.Will check it out for sure,

The Hollyberry Lady

10-30-2010, 02:48 AM

Willy, I noticed in your pics that your Basjoos dont seem to have the signature red vein in the center of your leaves either.

Do you know anything about this and what the cause is because I noticed it on my own plants as well and was curious?

Yes, Vantage Hydroponics has moved now and they in the Adelaide and Hamilton area. I also buy fish emulsion from them and it's fairly inexpensive too.

: )

ShearMe

10-31-2010, 04:02 PM

Some one spray painted those veins on to trick you. :P

willy1der

10-31-2010, 04:44 PM

HBL-My basjoo's have never had red in the veins.I have not noticed them on others either but I have not looked for it.I see your pics have the red you talk about.!!!!I wouldnt know why? shade/sun .Maybe someone else knows why!!!

The Hollyberry Lady

10-31-2010, 10:15 PM

Olafhenny

11-08-2010, 01:08 AM

I was told that is how you know if you have a Basjoo at all, is by the signature red vein.

Now I am more confused than ever!

I had a red vein on the leaves of Matt's Basjoo too, but they disappeared once I put the plant in the garden.

Very strange! :eek:

: )

Hi Sherry,
Thank you very much for your welcome! :D
I have just posted in in 'Main Banana Discussion' my speculation, that the red veins in the M. Basjoo may only appear in young leaves and may become more visible, when backlit (see my picture).

Unfortunately there is no way for me to check this out until May or June, unless it shows up in the wee pup I am trying to raise indoors.

Best,
Olaf

The Hollyberry Lady

11-08-2010, 08:23 AM

Hi Olaf! :waving:

What a very pleasant surprise to see you on banana org as well! :D I sure hope you stick around and particiapate. I think you will find the members here, very friendly & knowledgeable.

Thanks for that little bit about Basjoo's and the red vein on their leaves. Funny because my young Basjoo has the red vein but my older one doesn't. I've since been told that this is perfectly normal however, so I'm not as concerned about it now. :)

I noticed you've posted some pics, Olaf. :08:

I'll check them out now...

: )

The Hollyberry Lady

12-13-2010, 12:47 AM

Before the ground was even frozen, snow fell. :D

My Basjoo's currently have roughly 6 feet of snow on top of them or more...where it's been piled high from the plow. :eek:

They are well insulated and I bet they return next year, now more than ever!

: )

The Hollyberry Lady

05-03-2011, 10:30 AM

When should I be looking for sprouts? I'm anxious to see if the two Basjoo root systems survived the winter.

Fingers crossed!

: )

willy1der

06-10-2011, 08:47 PM

How did your basjoo like the winter,I havent heard any good or bad news if it made it or not???

The Hollyberry Lady

06-10-2011, 09:03 PM

None of mine are up just yet Will...are yours?

: )

willy1der

06-10-2011, 10:49 PM

The plant that I protected like you did has just recently broke the soil so its an inch or two and the plants I gave stem protection too are around 6-7 feet(to top of the leaves)I will try and get a few pics tommorrow!!

The Hollyberry Lady

06-10-2011, 11:11 PM

Ok that makes me feel better, knowing it was only a short time ago that yours surfaced. My one Basjoo was buried a whole foot deeper last year than it was in the pot it came out of, so it might take longer to come up. Hoping soon...

Looking forward to seeing your shots, Will. :)

Congrats on yours coming up! :goteam:

: )