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View Full Version : 1 Year Basjoo Growth in Mass.


BILL MA
09-15-2009, 11:19 PM
Hello everyone,
I thought I would share my success story with everyone in the northern zones of banana growing. This is my 3rd season growing bananas in Massachusettes with nice growth every year. My first year I grew a nice 12 footer that I was amazed with. It didn't make the winter because of lack of protection from what the nusery that sold it to me said to do. Even though I thought differently, rule 1 go with your intuition.

My second year I bought what I thought was a basjoo on ebay which grew very well but turned out to be a Raja puri I believe. Good thing I chickened out at the last minute and dug it up. I got five off springs this from the mother which died over the winter 6 foot trunk most likely ready to flower before I dug it up.

This Year I was done messing around I had already gone to Florida to pick up a load of palms and other tropicals in early March. With no luck finding any Basjoos then I was on a mission to find some in my return trip in late May. With some luck I managed to find some ahead of time through a lowes outside of Savannah which I stopped at on my return from bringing my grandmother back from Florida. Well I managed to pack in 9 5 gal. basjoos, one 7 gal I think Plantain, and a nice red maurellii for very cheap money in her grand am :woohoonaner:. When I got back I decided to put heat cabels under them since the weather was so cold this spring. Well it worked with flying colors! This is my first post with pictures and I hope it helps people next year! I'm a huge palm guy but I love bananas just as much! First picture is June 10th! I really did make the soil super rich even though it was nice to begin with. I adding manure, compost, and green sand before I planted them. Seemed to work nicely!

http://i670.photobucket.com/albums/vv62/Billma6-7/HPIM1844.jpg

September 16th nine mother plants with some seven foot babies now. A few long shot pictures.
http://i670.photobucket.com/albums/vv62/Billma6-7/IMG_1093.jpg
http://i670.photobucket.com/albums/vv62/Billma6-7/IMG_1084.jpg

An inside picture of one of the trunks.
http://i670.photobucket.com/albums/vv62/Billma6-7/IMG_1081.jpg

Width and height of one of the big leaves I could get too.
http://i670.photobucket.com/albums/vv62/Billma6-7/IMG_1127.jpg
http://i670.photobucket.com/albums/vv62/Billma6-7/IMG_1128.jpg

And last but not least the total height with no wind blowing the leaf up. I would say give the heat cables a try in any climate. This was a very cool summer here and I'll have 16' off one year plans in Ma. GDD 3400 not bad growth, my trachy gained height from 5 feet to 7 and a half this year 30 plus fronds.

http://i670.photobucket.com/albums/vv62/Billma6-7/IMG_1130.jpg

Hope I helped people gain so serious growth next year!

Bill :woohoonaner:

permaculturekidd
09-16-2009, 12:28 AM
Very Nice!!!

If I remember correctly raja puri and basjoo were used by the author of Tropical Perrenials; he was from Massachusetts too and did a friends front yard/driveway. Really beautiful in my opinion but not nearly as productive as yours.

browndrake
09-16-2009, 12:45 AM
My oldest daughter decided last night that she wants some bananas too... Of course, the first that she picked was musa ae ae. She then stated that a siam ruby wouldn't be too bad either.

Now today...after seeing your thread, she decided that she needs to have a couple basjoo also..

I thought that one addict in a family was enough...

Thanks... lol

aaron

Christine1950
09-16-2009, 07:12 AM
Stunning is all I have to say.
Christine

mbfirey
09-16-2009, 08:41 AM
1. Where do you get Heat cables?
2. How long do you leave them on?
3. What's your electric bill? ;-)


Awsome Results.!

BILL MA
09-16-2009, 11:37 AM
Thanks Guys! Aaron I'm glad your daughter liked them, they would be a bit cheaper then ae ae too! LOL.

Here's where the heat cables came from, I have two 48' cables under them. I haven't shut them off! They do have a thermostat that shuts them off at 74 degree though. They can't be on all the time I don't think. I figured they would be best for spring and fall. If one of the cables runs full time for a month at 15 cents a kilowatt hour it would be about 18 bucks a month, the biggest cables are 168 watts. I could deal with that for sure if it would get me 20' nanas which it will next year pretty easily I would say. I don't think my bill is all that high and I have 3 more under my washys too, which put on some nice growth for being here! I'm sure they won't hurt me in overwintering them too. I want to save five feet of trunk, that's my goal for this winter. This link is the cheapest place I could find them.

Economy Plant Soil Heating Cables | Heat Mats & Heating Cables | Growers Solution (http://www.growerssolution.com/page/GS/PROD/heatmats/econcables)

Bill

saltydad
09-16-2009, 04:17 PM
Great looking garden! I'm really intrigued with the palms. They all have heating cables? What other protection do you use? Thanks.

austinl01
09-16-2009, 04:36 PM
Awesome growth for just one year! They look top-notch, that's for sure! Keep them growing strong!

john_ny
09-16-2009, 06:01 PM
Wow, that's amazing results. I thank you for posting the source of the cables. That does seem like a very good price.

oldguardmom
09-16-2009, 06:22 PM
Bill I just happened upon your post and seen the palm in the picture. You say you live in MA. I didnt know palms grow up north. I live just 50 miles south of Columbus Ohio and I am trying to put in a tropical garden of sorts. Just what the North will let me. What kind of Palm is that and what does it take for maintenance during the winter months? I have already started my Bajsoo and know how to prepare those, but I really want a palm. Any info appreciated.:coldbanana:
Thanks Tania

bananadude
09-17-2009, 04:13 AM
Very impressive.....I'm also curious about the palms!

BILL MA
09-17-2009, 11:23 AM
Saltydad, the only palms that I'm using the heating cables on is the Washingtonia Robustas. They are not even close to hardy but they are such a awsome palm that grows like mad. I figured the only chance I had to get them going was the heat under them plus serious protection of course! Austin in Littlerock was the one who really got me thinking about it a few years back after watching his grow from small to giant in just 3 years. Thanks Austin!!! I wasn't as patient though I bought 8 footers with 4' clear trunk. LOL!

John your very welcome for the source! For people with climates like ours they really do the trick (fall,winter,spring). I have had good luck in previous years but man! 8 foot clear trunk in a little over 3 months I would say they worked better then well. I forgot to mention the weekly application of banana fuel, that helped too I'm sure. By far the best fertilizer I have used for nanas which I found on this site (thank you)

Tania & bananadude, there are so many choices for you guys regarding palms that will work in your area if you are willing to protect them properly. Tropical gardening is my hobbie so I don't mind spending the time or money on protecting my palms and nanas over the winter. I actually treat it like a challenge which has worked very well so far. If you guys are really interested PM me or email me and I'll give you more info then you need.
billo@shewmail.com

Here's another picture of the front of my house. The top of the bottom window is 10 feet and the bottom of the second floor one is a little over 14 for scale. I can see the orinoco through my living room window blowing back and forth pretty neat being on the second floor! That one should be nice and light to carry into the basement.
http://i670.photobucket.com/albums/vv62/Billma6-7/IMG_1196.jpg

Bill

PennyG
09-17-2009, 12:45 PM
Bill your gardens are just stunning, and the banana's are gorgeous, well done~~!

Nice "Canadian" beer too, thats what i drink...:bananas_b

Christine1950
09-17-2009, 12:54 PM
Oh my, your pictures get even better. I would LOVE to live next door to you.
Christine

PennyG
09-17-2009, 12:57 PM
Oh my, your pictures get even better. I would LOVE to live next door to you.
Christine

I agree with you there Christine, to have a neighbor who takes the time and looks after their yard...:woohoonaner:

LilRaverBoi
09-17-2009, 03:41 PM
Yeah, the pictures (and your yard) are BEAUTIFUL! Thanks for sharing! What zone are you in? I don't know that the heating cable would really be an effective option for me back home in zone 5, but that's a pretty awesome idea! Best of luck with your plants!

BILL MA
09-17-2009, 06:48 PM
Thanks again guys, I really have found a passion for tropicals and plants that don't belong here without help in the colder months.

LilRaverBoi, thanks man, I live 10 miles N. of Providence RI. at the last Ma. exit on 95. Winter is pretty mild for Ma standards as my low was only 3.6 a 7a zone last year and 5.6 the year before. 2004 we saw -4 for a very short time and that was the coldest in a while. I seem to be in a great micro climate for some reason as most of the towns around me are much colder. I seem to also be on the snow/rain line for quiet a bit of our storms, not Nor-easters though they slam me here. It's nice to have a few good storms, what's the cold without a few really good one's a couple times a year.

Is St. Louis a zone 5? I find that hard to believe, you warm up much faster then me here I'm sure. I think the heating cables would really help you more then you think, when the weather is cool after the last frost. That is the main reason why I got them for spring ground warm up. Might as well try and trick the plants into growth early to get some monsters. Might be worth a look at least, that's why I posted these pictures to help people get the best growth they possibly can in one year.

Bill

LilRaverBoi
09-17-2009, 06:55 PM
Well, I live in St. Louis, MO right now which is zone 6. I don't have any ground here to plant in, though, so no possibility of even ATTEMPTING to overwinter in the ground. The zone 5 I was referring to in my post was my home back in Iowa. Last winter, it hit -37....so I'm afraid that there isn't enough heating wire in the world that can protect plants from that LOL (well, unless you wrapped the entire plant in it...or better yet, just built a heated greenhouse around the plant LOL).

jimhardy
09-22-2009, 03:46 PM
Looking good Bill,those are some nice pics that I have not seen before!

Bob
09-22-2009, 04:09 PM
Very impressive Bill ,stunning yard. I go through your area every year in spring and didn't realize zone 7 went up that far inland. Maybe if you're very close to the Seekonk leading to the bay it helps with moderating the temps. In any case you can bet I'll be checking out the cables. It might not be as cost efficient here in zone 6..... 10 degress is huge, but would be an aid to season extension in case of an emergency(like if I ever get an edible flower:ha:). Thanks for the pics and cable link .....which is where I'm heading next!

BILL MA
09-23-2009, 02:15 PM
Thanks again guys! Bob as for the zone 7a think I right on the edge, who knows with all the maps out there. If it is a zone 7a a it's the coldest, and longest one to warm up. Much different then the other zone 7 locations. My luck I'll get whaled this winter for opening my mouth. LOL! Reguardless of the weather my nanas and palms will all be ready!

Bill

Bob
09-23-2009, 03:16 PM
Thanks Bill, I kind of assumed that. It's the same way on the vineyard which is technichally zone 7 but always 2 weeks behind weather wise when I go in May.........I get to see and smell the lilacs in peak twice per year.

saltydad
09-23-2009, 04:10 PM
Bob-if you put in heating cables please post the progress and results. Thanks guys.

Bob
09-23-2009, 04:30 PM
I'll let you know Howard. I might do it for one of the smaller (6') basjoos. Still debating.

Jack Daw
09-23-2009, 04:37 PM
I'll let you know Howard. I might do it for one of the smaller (6') basjoos. Still debating.
That's one thread I'm looking forward to read. ;)

BILL MA
09-23-2009, 06:19 PM
Is it common for these to grow that fast in warmer zones? I can tell you all for sure that This June-Mid July was like April May weather normally. No Sun Ever!

I really was not convinced at first either about the cables until they started growing the way they did. The only reason I did it in the first place is because the weather was so bad, and I did it on the washys already. I guess I'm just a tropical nut and I want all my plants/tree's to be as happy as possible. With the cables, I would say you could take a large unheated one and put it next to a small but not starter nana and it would pass it before long (in a northern climate). I going to try more experements this spring when the storage unit is gone.

Bill

LilRaverBoi
09-23-2009, 08:59 PM
Okay, I could be wrong with this, but it's my understanding that Musa Basjoo is COLD HARDY......this does NOT mean that it can not tolerate warmer temperatures. I have heard a lot of people acting like since it's cold hardy that it likes cooler temps only....and I don't believe that's how it works. Again, could be wrong on that....someone please correct/confirm this, please.

john_ny
09-24-2009, 01:05 PM
Bill, a very interesting thread. I'm going to try some of these cables this year, although I've had 100% survival, in the past, with wrapping and mulching.
I do have a few questions, though. Your picture shows placing the cable in the bottom of a hole, and then placing newly unpotted plants on top of it. I was wondering if you have any suggestions for my situation. My plants have been in the ground for 3 years, and the only way I could get the cables under them, would be to dig them up, place the cable, and replant, which I really don't want to do. I suppose I could dig some trenches, and get the cables around and between the plants, (There is the mother, and 8 pups; I don't want to dig, and separate, the pups until spring) What do you think? I was also wondering; have you ever dug any pups? How do you do this, and avoid chopping the wire? Do you just put the cables in the ground, or do you wrap any around p-stems, etc.?
I also have many plants that I over-wintered, outside, in pots. These were just covered with mulch, and a tarp. They all survived, but several died back to the corm. I'd like to try to save some of the p-stems, this year. Do you think I could adapt the cables to the potted plants? Maybe just lay them on the ground, or bury shallowly, and stand the pots on top, and then wrap, and mulch the stems?
Several years ago, I was rooting some cuttings, in a mist bed, and I wanted to provide some bottom heat. I found, in a close-out store, some cables that were meant to be placed in gutters, to prevent ice jams. I placed the cables on the bench, put an inch or two of peat moss on top of them, wet it down, and placed the trays of cuttings on top. This worked well, but they burned out quickly. I think they were meant to be constantly in water, or ice, and when the peat got dry, at night, (the mist only operated in daylight) they got too hot.
Several years ago I was wintering the basjoos in a greenhouse, so they kept growing. At the end of the summer the stems were huge and, the first year that I decided to winter them outside, I figured I wouldn't be able to get 8 or 10 feet of mulch, so I layed the pots down, and then covered. This was not good. In the spring, before I uncovered, they started to grow, but not from the top of the stem, but rather, from the base of the stem, at right angles to the stem. So, this year, I will keep them upright, and wrap the stems, cover with mulch, and a tarp, maybe adding some Christmas lights, around the stems. What do you (anyone) think? Besides the cables underneath, I suppose you had some sort of covering/protection on the stems, right?

john_ny
09-24-2009, 01:33 PM
Bill, a very interesting thread. I'm going to try some of these cables this year, although I've had 100% survival, in the past, with wrapping and mulching.
I do have a few questions, though. Your picture shows placing the cable in the bottom of a hole, and then placing newly unpotted plants on top of it. I was wondering if you have any suggestions for my situation. My plants have been in the ground for 3 years, and the only way I could get the cables under them, would be to dig them up, place the cable, and replant, which I really don't want to do. I suppose I could dig some trenches, and get the cables around and between the plants, (There is the mother, and 8 pups; I don't want to dig, and separate, the pups until spring) What do you think? I was also wondering; have you ever dug any pups? How do you do this, and avoid chopping the wire? Do you just put the cables in the ground, or do you wrap any around p-stems, etc.?
I also have many plants that I over-wintered, outside, in pots. These were just covered with mulch, and a tarp. They all survived, but several died back to the corm. I'd like to try to save some of the p-stems, this year. Do you think I could adapt the cables to the potted plants? Maybe just lay them on the ground, or bury shallowly, and stand the pots on top, and then wrap, and mulch the stems?
Several years ago, I was rooting some cuttings, in a mist bed, and I wanted to provide some bottom heat. I found, in a close-out store, some cables that were meant to be placed in gutters, to prevent ice jams. I placed the cables on the bench, put an inch or two of peat moss on top of them, wet it down, and placed the trays of cuttings on top. This worked well, but they burned out quickly. I think they were meant to be constantly in water, or ice, and when the peat got dry, at night, (the mist only operated in daylight) they got too hot.
Several years ago I was wintering the basjoos in a grrenhouse, so they kept growing. At the end of the summer the stems were huge and, the first year that I decided to winter them outside, I figured I wouldn't be able to get 8 or 10 feet of mulch, so I layed the pots down, and then covered. This was not good. In the spring, before I uncovered, they started to grow, but not from the top of the stem, but rather, from the base of the stem, at right angles to the stem. So, this year, I will keep them upright, and wrap the stems, cover with mulch, and a tarp, maybe adding some Christmas lights, around the stems. What do you (anyone) think? Besides the cables underneath, I suppose you had some sort of covering/protection on the stems, right?

BILL MA
09-25-2009, 10:39 AM
LilRaverBoi,
I'm Sure that the cold hardieness thing is just for winter terms only. All nanas love the heat and for the most part the more you can give them the more they will grow. That's why I use the cables, to trick then in the spring to get growing. They are well hardy here without the cables with proper protection like John mentioned.

Bill

BILL MA
09-25-2009, 10:53 AM
Hey John,
I'm not sure about putting the cables around the plant in trenches. I guess if it's the only reasonable way you can do it, go for it. I believe they would work much better if the heat could radiate through the corm from the bottom of the hole though. I was starting from scratch so it was much easier for me. The cables are not supposed to touch each other, I guess because they could short out. When I plugged them in before putting them in the hole they where not super hot to the touch.

Have you ever used mini lights under mulch before? I haven't and would like to this year, I just don't want them to short out. I want to put 2 liter soda bottles full of water around the stems after cutting them and maybe run the lights around them, under the leaf pile. Kind of like a heated wall-o-water but cheaper. How have you done it in the past? You have had good luck obviously, I would like to share some ideas with you.

Bill

Bill

john_ny
09-25-2009, 01:23 PM
Bill- I haven't used the christmas lights yet, but intend to, this year. I'll get back on here with more, tomorrow. Don't have the time, now. In the meantime, I'll try to get ahold of my friend, jimzone7 and get him to post here, as he has used the lights, with much success. (He had beautiful blooms on the basjoo, last year and, again, this year.)

Jimzone7
09-27-2009, 10:29 AM
Bill- I haven't used the christmas lights yet, but intend to, this year. I'll get back on here with more, tomorrow. Don't have the time, now. In the meantime, I'll try to get ahold of my friend, jimzone7 and get him to post here, as he has used the lights, with much success. (He had beautiful blooms on the basjoo, last year and, again, this year.)

Hi Bill
Your must be onto something, your plants and growth rate are outstanding. I'd be very interested in your future comparisons of similar plants with and without heat coils.
I think your right when you told John that the most effective use of the cable would be under the corm.
But my biggest concern is how would you ever be able to cut out pups?
(I hope I'm missing something, because we can really use something to increase our growing season. This past spring was terrible, I opened up my two basjoo piles April 17th we had a good week temperature wise and then it seemed like we had two months of wet & cold weather. I dont believe the bananas ever caught up to last year's growth.
I'd like to try the fertilizer that you use, if you can give some details and the source I'd appreciate that.
Keeping basjoo corm alive through the winter in our area has been fairly simple for the past couple of years, a little mulch and a tarp and you're good to go. The work comes when you want to save the pstem.
I was able to save 60 inches of pstem this winter and when I opened the pile a leaf was growing.
What worked for me last year was to use christmas lights and a Thermo cube outlet that would turn on the lights at 35 degrees and off by 45 degrees. This to me was what really made the whole christmas light thing work. Because leaving the lights on the whole winter would definetly cause temperatures that are too high during some mild winter days. The last thing you want is to wake them up and then chill them on and off all winter.
I use three sets of christmas lights per pile (use at least two in case one goes bad)
One Thermo cube outlet (I purchased mine at Pet Supplies | Dog & Cat Supplies, Pet Meds | DrsFosterSmith.com Pet Products (http://www.DrsFosterSmith.com))
I wrap the pstem with straw and leaves and try to keep the lights from touching the pstem. Cover the whole pile with a tarp and wait. Don't open till spring when weather forecast calls for 10 days no threat of frost. Keep the tarp handy, just in case you get a bad night.
This fall I'll be adding a remote temperature contol so I can monitor interior temps from the comfort of my house, I'll keep you posted.

deruo
09-27-2009, 12:43 PM
When you guys are referring to Christmas lights, which type are you referring to? I assume you don't mean the LED ones as I suspect they don't throw that much heat (if any?) I know the old old style from when I was a kid would certainly throw a lot of heat, but the mini-lights that I have now don't seem to have much heat coming off them.

Just curious as I'm planning to try overwintering a basjoo in my front yard. Didn't get much growth this year and would like to try keeping as much of the p-stem as I can, and if christmas lights will help I'll certainly try!

john_ny
09-27-2009, 03:18 PM
I'm talking about the mini lights, but not the LED type. Another thing that I think bears mentioning. Jim says he leaves the last one or two lights on the string outside of the covering, so you can see if it's working.

BILL MA
09-27-2009, 07:27 PM
Hey jim,
That's funny you mentioned the thermo cube because when I looked it up it's the same thing I was going to use just by a different company. They called it a thermostatic outlet, What ever they call it I need one. I was thinking about saving as much trunk as possible (5' is my goal) so I will use the soda bottles with the lights. I might do it a bit different, setting my thermocube on a outlet timer after dark. Being able to get to it if we get a cold spell. I might mix in some hours of heat cable here and there even though it's most likely not necessary.

Do you spray yours with a fugicide first and if you do what do you use? I plan on using my 35-40 leaf bags around my nine basjoos, there all in that one area. It is a pretty sunny spot in the winter so that should help too.

As for cutting the pups, no problem the cables are about a foot down. I like to put my pups in straight water at first anyways so I can see what they are doing with roots before planting them. I didn't cut off any even though there are tons on each of the plants, I want the biggest mat I can get and I didn't want to disturb the corms this year.

Jim, where do you live exactly anyways, near John? Also do you have pictures of the stem protection? Even though it sounds self explanatory pictures show a thousand words. If not that's ok I know what I'm doing anyways, just though others might find it helpful. I'll take picture when I wrap mine for sure.

Bill

jimhardy
09-27-2009, 08:29 PM
Never tried to protect the stems Bill,this year I will leave my Basjoos out too.I will store my mystery Banana plant in the basement to keep it's size-

I live in Fairfield Iowa-52556 it's in extreme s.e. Iowa.

Don't forget you thermo cube needs to be in the same exact place as what you trying to protect! In the case of my Butia /Washys I will have it inside one of the enclosures.I am also toying with the idea of leaving my A.americana out.


One more thing-I do usually use fungicide on anything I close down for the winter like leaf cages.I also mix in a little wilt-pruf.

john_ny
09-28-2009, 10:07 AM
Hey Bill,
Jimzone7 lives about a half mile from me.

cactus6103
09-28-2009, 12:29 PM
Very nice. They are growing like weeds!

Red

BILL MA
09-28-2009, 03:14 PM
Hey everyone,
This is what I used for fertilizer on my nanas and this is where I found it. Most of you probably know about it but the stuff really worked amazing. I used way more than they said and also used it way more often. I think I used 3 table spoons per five gallon bucket, poured into two gallon buckets watering each plant. Shipping didn't matter if you bought 1 or 20 pounds it's a flat rate of 10 bucks if I recall. I will use this fertilizer from now on. I never burnt anything once, well maybe my ice cream banana but that was it. The rest of them would take as much as I could give them.

Banana Fertilizer - 1 Lb. (http://www.wellspringgardens.org/servlet/Detail?no=25)

Bill

frankthetank
09-29-2009, 12:00 AM
I wonder if you couldn't have insulated your area that you planted your bananas? Just used some inch pink foam board down a few feet around the border? I say this because you are losing some of that heat to the soil that doesn't need to be heated. I guess you could also insulate the bottom, but you have to leave some drainage holes.

Everything looks very good. The growth on those is tremendous. My clump made it to around 12ft starting with pstems almost 6ft tall (dormant) in April. With heat on the roots i could only imagine the growth. Your palms look amazing and i'd be interested in hearing on how you are protecting them!

I'm tempted...very tempted to try it, heat cable, now. Even a "kick start" of one month or 6 weeks (May) would probably add a lot of growth.

I'd insulate just because i have some foam laying here not being used.

momoese
09-29-2009, 12:15 AM
I'd be worried that the insulation would limit the root growth and possibly the drainage.

jimhardy
09-29-2009, 09:06 AM
Hey Bill,I think the key is you thought ahead and put the cables underneath those nanars/palms,heat rises so as long as the cables are directly below....your good to go.Now all you need to do is dig a moat around your colony of nanars(-;

BILL MA
09-29-2009, 10:51 PM
Thanks Jimhardy,
I know we talked about this in the palm world too. Gdd days are the most important things for growing the nanas/palms we grow. roots are the most important! I know I sound like I'm pitching the heat cables but I have NO influence on the place that sells them! That is only the cheapest place I could find them, along with the cheapest place I could find the banana fuel.

I would say I boosted my gdd from 3400 to 4600 under my nanas and washys? What do you guys in warmer/hot zones think about small plants in 3 months? 14 feet?

Bill

austinl01
09-30-2009, 08:36 AM
Bill, this post is a lot of fun! Aren't you glad I persuaded you to post here in the ORG? :) I hope those bananas are still looking good, my friend.

BILL MA
10-01-2009, 05:53 PM
This site is Awesome Austin! I have learned so much here in the last few years just reading others posts, (very knowledgeable people) I would like to try and give back now if I can.

The basjoo's are still growing even though they have slowed down now. Funny thing the local news paper came out today to take some shots of my nana grove! They seemed pretty shocked with the growth these guys can put on. I'll post a link to the paper when they run it.

Bill

jeffreyp
10-02-2009, 01:00 AM
Thanks Jimhardy,
I know we talked about this in the palm world too. Gdd days are the most important things for growing the nanas/palms we grow. roots are the most important! I know I sound like I'm pitching the heat cables but I have NO influence on the place that sells them! That is only the cheapest place I could find them, along with the cheapest place I could find the banana fuel.

I would say I boosted my gdd from 3400 to 4600 under my nanas and washys? What do you guys in warmer/hot zones think about small plants in 3 months? 14 feet?

Bill

I knew a fellow in Long Island that grew Trachycarpus palms and he swore by root heating cables. Seems to make a big difference.

BILL MA
10-20-2009, 09:27 PM
These bad boys are still green and decent from last night 25.6 low! By the way this is a 10 degree weather man screw up. They called for 36 low, Thanks weather men for nothing! I could have saved lots of things if I knew even at midnight!

I can't believe there still green, tons of banana fuel and heat cable might have helped. I wish I had interests in these companies maybe I could get free stuff!
The only other thing that did ok where sikkimensis but that was burnt too! my little 3 gal. lotus nanas did great as rajas, maurelii, burnt pretty good. My large maurelii in a pot on the east side of the house had 10% damage maybe. Tough bugger!

I'll post some pictures tomorrow!

Bill