Wintering E. Maurellii in HZ8,-7 or 6?

Olafhenny · 08-08-2013, 03:44 PM

Has anybody any experience in getting an E. Maurellii through the winter in cooler regions outdoors?

I have reasonable experience in getting M. Basjoo through the winter, but am now for the first time
confronted with the problem o doing that with an Ensete. Thus I would really appreciate some
indication about the hardiness of the E. Maurellii.

Thanks,
Olaf

CTPalm · 08-08-2013, 08:57 PM

I would like to here about this too!

Thanks
Paul

Annie6078OH · 08-09-2013, 10:11 AM

I'm in HZ6a and was told early on that EMs do not survive dormancy, so I've tried and managed to get them to last the winter indoors with the help of a grow light in a back bedroom (normal house temps), but just barely. They lose a lot of leaves and get very stressed and, when put out the following year, their shape and ability to grow large again never seems to come back. Perhaps if I used the grow light more often/hours, but I can't afford to do more than I already do. I plan on reading more about the possibility of dormancy myself for this season -- I would certainly encourage you to give it a try, though, as we all have different conditions and successes --[and what have we got to lose by trying? Best of luck!

cincinnana · 08-12-2013, 07:19 AM

I have to keep this one indoors for the winter.
The plant gets stressed but bounces back once brought outside again.
There is a fella on these forums that stores them dormant indoors but his name is escaping me at the moment.......lives in Wisconsin , and his plants are monsters.
When I think of the name I will post it.

cincinnana · 08-12-2013, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cincinnana

I have to keep this one indoors for the winter.
The plant gets stressed but bounces back once brought outside again.
There is a fella on these forums that stores them dormant indoors but his name is escaping me at the moment.......lives in Wisconsin , and his plants are monsters.
When I think of the name I will post it.

Wxman....in Wisconsin ....check his gallery.

Olafhenny · 08-12-2013, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cincinnana

I have to keep this one indoors for the winter.
The plant gets stressed but bounces back once brought outside again.
There is a fella on these forums that stores them dormant indoors but his name is escaping me at the moment.......lives in Wisconsin , and his plants are monsters.
When I think of the name I will post it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Annie6078OH

I'm in HZ6a and was told early on that EMs do not survive dormancy, so I've tried and managed to get them to last the winter indoors with the help of a grow light in a back bedroom (normal house temps), but just barely. They lose a lot of leaves and get very stressed and, when put out the following year, their shape and ability to grow large again never seems to come back. Perhaps if I used the grow light more often/hours, but I can't afford to do more than I already do. I plan on reading more about the possibility of dormancy myself for this season -- I would certainly encourage you to give it a try, though, as we all have different conditions and successes --[and what have we got to lose by trying? Best of luck!

Quote:

Originally Posted by CTPalm

I would like to here about this too!

Thanks
Paul

Thanks, Paul, Annie and Mike.

I have done a bit of digging in old threads and here is what I gleaned from snippets of
information:
• The best way to winter Maurelii, when they are small is to keep them growing actively
in a well lighted spot indoors
• While they are dormant, they appear to prefer cool, but above freezing temperatures
• They seem to survive bare root wintering better than Basjoo, presumably because
they have thicker PS and are, coming from Abyssinia, more drought resistant

Based on all the above, I have decided to leave mine in the ground, even though it might
be still small enough to keep it growing indoors. Beside limited space there and other reasons,
which I may get into later in another post. I will rely on my “permanent shelter” seen here:
Permanent banana shelter for winter and spring.

If that sounds elaborate or expensive, it isn’t. Three effective annually reusable shelters, one
for a pad of 4 or 5 and two for singles DIY less that $60.-, total.

I will augment that with my “passive heating system”* Another pompous name for a simple
devise.

Nothing I propose is particularly costly. A few years ago a Mercado merchant in Mexico yelled
after me: “Cheapa skate”, after I did not come up to is price .

He had me pegged dead on,
after only a couple of minutes.

For those who want to go for dry root wintering here is a story, unfortunately in German,
but with a series of photos clearly documenting his annual struggles bringing it in, as it grew
to monstrous sizes.

Bilder von Familie End aus Jöhlingen Make sure you also go to Teil 2 (Part 2)

I’ll have a lot more to report on my own experiments, like the “surgery”, I performed this
morning* on my Maurelii, which aimed to effect propagation without destroying the mother
plant as was described here.: Corm propagation a success

*I will report on these probably in separate threads, but they will all be cross-referenced
here so stay tuned. Meanwhile fill the time with following up on the above URLs.

I aim at an information base specifically for those of us in HZ8 and colder. Accordingly not all
I post is aimed at the Maurelii. (see per example: Permanent shelter…)

Olaf

cannasrus · 10-12-2013, 04:12 PM

I wish I could read German

Olafhenny · 10-12-2013, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cannasrus

I wish I could read German

It is actually quite easy: Just Click on "Select all" " Copy" then open up:
Google Translate and dump it all into the left window.
Then select 'German' above that window and select 'English' in the right one and, Viola,
all is transalted, not always all that well, but you can usually make sense of it. I have
done that for you here with part 1 Just note, that the Germans write their dates by
international standard as does your bank: DD.MM.YYYY

QUOTE
part 1

Documentation " Ensete ventricosum Maurellii "

2006 to 2008

Scroll page with 46 pictures!

The Maurellii I have received and planted in the spring of 2006.

On 08/09/2006 I have potted it and placed in the sun . I backed up the root system , as I
propped the trunk.

20/10/2006 : The warmed by the sun pot has ensured good growth in late again . From
this point, the soil should not be too moist . It is desirable to bring the species with
relatively dry soil into winter quarters.

10.11.2006 : The first winter . The leaves were shortened down to the last leaf to two-thirds.
The temperature was around 10 ° C , the light is very weak and without additional
lighting .

06.04.2007: She looks a little taken , but must continue to be kept dry.

12.05.2007 : The ordeal is over. The growth can begin.

07/06/2007 : It has already risen . In addition to the Basjoos it seems rather small.

05.08.2007 : The petioles have already become strong.

The trunk circumference measured 10cm above the earth's surface can be seen.

12/08/2007 : The Basjoos it has caught up to half . They were fertilized in 14-day cycle
with dissolved Blaukorn to the previously well moistened soil . The fertilizer solution
consisted of 10 liters of water and a handful of blue corn .

19/08/2007 : Here the size is clear.

28.10.2007 : The trunk circumference measured 10cm above the earth's surface , was
in the spring 46cm . It has grown to 126cm . The shrub has exceeded 4 meters to the
blade tip.

10.11.2007 : Now it's going into winter quarters. The leaves were all cut down to short
stubs . Also the spear.

On the roots I have no consideration . About 10cm apart from the tribe , I tapped the
roots of a spade blade length deep.

The shrub is still very difficult . She comes into the basement at about 10 ° C and almost
no light . The basement has only a very small window .

02/12/2007 : Here it is in a large pot with absolute dryness. I've poured over the winter
even once. The roots are dried up .

The growth she has never set over the winter completely. She had to be shortened
every 2 to 3 weeks.

18.04.2008: Since the growth had increased , I have decided it relatively early replant
again .

Of useful roots is not much to see.

The soil preparation was already in late year.

After months, she finally gets back water and sun.

As a growth aid and protection from possible freezing nights I put a plastic greenhouse
over it.

04/05/2008 : As the spear had reached the roof , I have the film house and the ground
covered with foil for the purpose of warming up .

18.05.2008 : The Maurellii had very many and long roots have formed , since they could
no longer move .

31/05/2008 : Up to this point, the Maurellii of all shrubs had reached the highest growth .

29/08/2008 : What a flower !

18/09/2008 : Oh man , the fat man!

Here you can clearly see the cross section of a petiole .

08/11/2008 : Although the lower leaves were yellow and I removed it , it grows more
lively. We have had no frost .

The tape measure is no longer sufficient . The girth has exceeded 1.5 meters.

15.11.2008 : Since we had the first frosty night , I decided to dig them and put in the
basement. The last photo in the implanted state. The Cannas are already in winter quarters.

As Ausgrabhilfe I have attached a wheelbarrow with straps on pseudostem . I have already
cut off the lower leaves .

The earth was dug a spade blade length.

The root ball was tapped at an angle of approximately 45 °.

With the wheelbarrow I could pull out of the hole. The erection of the barrow I could
not. She was so heavy that the retaining clips have bent.

With much effort, I could put them on a hand truck .

Prior to the basement entrance .

This was from the roots left.

These 3 steps had to be mastered .

The goal is achieved. After a few minutes, formed under the perennial small puddles. The
gigantic water tank dripped water from the leaf axils and the interfaces of the petioles .
This winter, they must overwinter in an inclined position , as it has become too large for
the basement. It remains on the hand truck and overwinters almost dark at approximately 10 ° C.

After this hard work you have earned more than a beer .

23/12/2008 : Just as last winter , it also grows more slowly this time . Since they decency
on the wall , I have shortened to 30cm .

Click here for Part 2 , from 2009
UINQUOTE

If you print that out and have it available when you open that site, then you can relate
the texts to the pictures. I believe, that every new paragraph relates to a new photo.

Now you can do the same with Part 2 yourself, if you are so inclined or with any other
Text from other language

Oh by the way Google Translate leaves out the pictures automatically if you copy the
whole page at once.

Olafhenny · 10-13-2013, 12:25 AM

After I finished the last post, I read through both parts of Bilder von Familie End aus Jöhlingen
and noticed, that there were two more people. One lady in Switzerland and another couple
in Germany who raised E. Maurelii and their experiences were explained in similar detail. – All
very interesting thus you may alsoe want to click on Michaela aus Zürich ihre Ensete
ventricosum". and "So überwintern Heinz-Ludwig und Marianne aus Rülzheim ihre Ensete
ventricosum Maurellii". These URLs are always given near the end of the previous site.

cannasrus · 10-13-2013, 01:14 AM

Thank You Olaf, The only way I have to get on here is my phone. I am constantly blowing stuff up to see it , the old eyes just are not what the used to be. I brought Mine into the garage yesterday. I had to cut the leaves down because it was too tall. I have a few florescent lights over it , I potted it back in pretty dry soil. Its my second year growing them last years didnt make it. So any advise is good advise

cannasrus · 10-13-2013, 01:19 AM

Thank You Olaf, The only way I have to get on here is my phone. I am constantly blowing stuff up to see it , the old eyes just are not what the used to be. I brought Mine into the garage yesterday. I had to cut the leaves down because it was too tall. I have a few florescent lights over it , I potted it back in pretty dry soil. Its my second year growing them last years didnt make it]

stevelau1911 · 12-05-2013, 05:49 PM

I've had my ensete maurelii over-wintering in the attic for about 1-2 months now, and I finally saw that they were starting to get rot and mold on the corm so to try and save it, I went ahead and powdered them with fungicide after pealing off some of the rotting leaves hoping it can save them.

If their condition continues to worsen, one of my options would be to go ahead and plant it, activating its growth early which I don't want to do until March.

Olafhenny · 12-05-2013, 07:03 PM

Hi Steve,

what were the conditions in your attic, i.e., light, moisture, temperature?

The End family, which posted that detailed pictorial a few post below, stored theirs
mostly lying flat, apparently with some light.

Also, did you have plastic touching the plants? And if so, did the rot occur at the touch
points?

Thanks,
Olaf

stevelau1911 · 12-05-2013, 07:17 PM

The temperatures were almost always at around 47-52F and I just had them sitting on top of the wood with nothing on them. I know it might get on the humid side there with no light.

The rot seemed to occur towards the base of the plant with no regard to where it was touching. In any case I now have them in paper bags with the sulfur fungicide applied heavily. I will check again in another week to see how they are looking.

cannasrus · 12-06-2013, 08:28 AM

Mine are doing well in the garage, with lights. It stays in the 60's out there. The new growth is coming out with spots and looking like crap? I am guessing they are just not happy with what they have to grow in??? But The PS looks great .

stevelau1911 · 12-13-2013, 08:41 PM

Just updating again.

After 1 week of dusting the ensete maurelii with sulfur fungicide and putting them in a spot that is closer to the 40-45F range, it looks like the rotting has ceased. I'm not sure if it was the fungicide or the lower temperatures, but they look fairly stable now compared to 8 days ago when it looks like they would lose a lot more weight.

I just hope they can maintain for another 3 months or so. It seems like the fungicide powder is necessary and so are low temperatures. One of them was placed up side down while the other one is put normally both in brown plastic bags, and both are looking OK now.

08-08-2013, 03:44 PM	#1 (permalink)
Olafhenny Olafhenny's Photo Gallery Location: Penticton, BC, Okanagan Valley, Canada Find me on the map! Zone: Hardiness Zone 6 Name: Olaf Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 1,705 BananaBucks : 276,273 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 2,050 Times Was Thanked 2,012 Times in 876 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 77 Times	Wintering E. Maurellii in HZ8,-7 or 6? Has anybody any experience in getting an E. Maurellii through the winter in cooler regions outdoors? I have reasonable experience in getting M. Basjoo through the winter, but am now for the first time confronted with the problem o doing that with an Ensete. Thus I would really appreciate some indication about the hardiness of the E. Maurellii. Thanks, Olaf __________________ The reason I joined this forum was to share experiences, my own and those of others and to learn from them.

08-08-2013, 08:57 PM	#2 (permalink)
CTPalm CTPalm's Photo Gallery Find me on the map! Zone: 6 Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 93 BananaBucks : 19,223 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 399 Times Was Thanked 108 Times in 49 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 192 Times	Re: Wintering E. Maurellii in HZ8,-7 or 6? I would like to here about this too! Thanks Paul

08-09-2013, 10:11 AM	#3 (permalink)
Annie6078OH Annie6078OH's Photo Gallery Location: Southwest Ohio Zone: 6a Name: Annie Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 79 BananaBucks : 15,381 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 24 Times Was Thanked 92 Times in 35 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 33 Times	Re: Wintering E. Maurellii in HZ8,-7 or 6? I'm in HZ6a and was told early on that EMs do not survive dormancy, so I've tried and managed to get them to last the winter indoors with the help of a grow light in a back bedroom (normal house temps), but just barely. They lose a lot of leaves and get very stressed and, when put out the following year, their shape and ability to grow large again never seems to come back. Perhaps if I used the grow light more often/hours, but I can't afford to do more than I already do. I plan on reading more about the possibility of dormancy myself for this season -- I would certainly encourage you to give it a try, though, as we all have different conditions and successes --[and what have we got to lose by trying? Best of luck!

08-12-2013, 07:19 AM	#4 (permalink)
cincinnana container grower Location: Southwest Ohio U.S.A.🇺🇸 Find me on the map! Zone: HZ 6/5 Microclimate - Elevation 750 feet- 228.60 meters Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 8,878 BananaBucks : 6,733 Feedback: 7 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,914 Times Was Thanked 11,779 Times in 4,912 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1,957 Times	Re: Wintering E. Maurellii in HZ8,-7 or 6? I have to keep this one indoors for the winter. The plant gets stressed but bounces back once brought outside again. There is a fella on these forums that stores them dormant indoors but his name is escaping me at the moment.......lives in Wisconsin , and his plants are monsters. When I think of the name I will post it. __________________ Cincinnana/Hostafarians Photo Gallery 🌴 Last edited by cincinnana : 08-12-2013 at 09:18 AM.

10-12-2013, 04:12 PM	#7 (permalink)
cannasrus Location: southwestern Indiana zone 6 Find me on the map! Zone: zone 6 Name: Buddy T Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 88 BananaBucks : 23,952 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 596 Times Was Thanked 80 Times in 38 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 43 Times	Re: Wintering E. Maurellii in HZ8,-7 or 6? I wish I could read German __________________ A regular ride is better than a dressed up walk.

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10-13-2013, 12:25 AM	#9 (permalink)
Olafhenny Olafhenny's Photo Gallery Location: Penticton, BC, Okanagan Valley, Canada Find me on the map! Zone: Hardiness Zone 6 Name: Olaf Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 1,705 BananaBucks : 276,273 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 2,050 Times Was Thanked 2,012 Times in 876 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 77 Times	Re: Wintering E. Maurellii in HZ8,-7 or 6? After I finished the last post, I read through both parts of Bilder von Familie End aus Jöhlingen and noticed, that there were two more people. One lady in Switzerland and another couple in Germany who raised E. Maurelii and their experiences were explained in similar detail. – All very interesting thus you may alsoe want to click on Michaela aus Zürich ihre Ensete ventricosum". and "So überwintern Heinz-Ludwig und Marianne aus Rülzheim ihre Ensete ventricosum Maurellii". These URLs are always given near the end of the previous site. __________________ The reason I joined this forum was to share experiences, my own and those of others and to learn from them.

10-13-2013, 01:14 AM	#10 (permalink)
cannasrus Location: southwestern Indiana zone 6 Find me on the map! Zone: zone 6 Name: Buddy T Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 88 BananaBucks : 23,952 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 596 Times Was Thanked 80 Times in 38 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 43 Times	Re: Wintering E. Maurellii in HZ8,-7 or 6? Thank You Olaf, The only way I have to get on here is my phone. I am constantly blowing stuff up to see it , the old eyes just are not what the used to be. I brought Mine into the garage yesterday. I had to cut the leaves down because it was too tall. I have a few florescent lights over it , I potted it back in pretty dry soil. Its my second year growing them last years didnt make it. So any advise is good advise __________________ A regular ride is better than a dressed up walk.

10-13-2013, 01:19 AM	#11 (permalink)
cannasrus Location: southwestern Indiana zone 6 Find me on the map! Zone: zone 6 Name: Buddy T Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 88 BananaBucks : 23,952 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 596 Times Was Thanked 80 Times in 38 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 43 Times	Re: Wintering E. Maurellii in HZ8,-7 or 6? Thank You Olaf, The only way I have to get on here is my phone. I am constantly blowing stuff up to see it , the old eyes just are not what the used to be. I brought Mine into the garage yesterday. I had to cut the leaves down because it was too tall. I have a few florescent lights over it , I potted it back in pretty dry soil. Its my second year growing them last years didnt make it] __________________ A regular ride is better than a dressed up walk.

12-05-2013, 05:49 PM	#12 (permalink)
stevelau1911 stevelau1911's Photo Gallery Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 458 BananaBucks : 158,390 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 51 Times Was Thanked 563 Times in 258 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 24 Times	Re: Wintering E. Maurellii in HZ8,-7 or 6? I've had my ensete maurelii over-wintering in the attic for about 1-2 months now, and I finally saw that they were starting to get rot and mold on the corm so to try and save it, I went ahead and powdered them with fungicide after pealing off some of the rotting leaves hoping it can save them. If their condition continues to worsen, one of my options would be to go ahead and plant it, activating its growth early which I don't want to do until March. __________________ I'm in zone 6 upstate NY, specialize in growing temperate cold hardy bamboos(mainly phyllostachys) and starting to get into bananas. my picture website is http://www.flickr.com/photos/31489820@N02/ http://stevespeonygarden.blogspot.com/

12-05-2013, 07:03 PM	#13 (permalink)
Olafhenny Olafhenny's Photo Gallery Location: Penticton, BC, Okanagan Valley, Canada Find me on the map! Zone: Hardiness Zone 6 Name: Olaf Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 1,705 BananaBucks : 276,273 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 2,050 Times Was Thanked 2,012 Times in 876 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 77 Times	Re: Wintering E. Maurellii in HZ8,-7 or 6? Hi Steve, what were the conditions in your attic, i.e., light, moisture, temperature? The End family, which posted that detailed pictorial a few post below, stored theirs mostly lying flat, apparently with some light. Also, did you have plastic touching the plants? And if so, did the rot occur at the touch points? Thanks, Olaf __________________ The reason I joined this forum was to share experiences, my own and those of others and to learn from them.

12-05-2013, 07:17 PM	#14 (permalink)
stevelau1911 stevelau1911's Photo Gallery Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 458 BananaBucks : 158,390 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 51 Times Was Thanked 563 Times in 258 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 24 Times	Re: Wintering E. Maurellii in HZ8,-7 or 6? The temperatures were almost always at around 47-52F and I just had them sitting on top of the wood with nothing on them. I know it might get on the humid side there with no light. The rot seemed to occur towards the base of the plant with no regard to where it was touching. In any case I now have them in paper bags with the sulfur fungicide applied heavily. I will check again in another week to see how they are looking. __________________ I'm in zone 6 upstate NY, specialize in growing temperate cold hardy bamboos(mainly phyllostachys) and starting to get into bananas. my picture website is http://www.flickr.com/photos/31489820@N02/ http://stevespeonygarden.blogspot.com/

12-06-2013, 08:28 AM	#15 (permalink)
cannasrus Location: southwestern Indiana zone 6 Find me on the map! Zone: zone 6 Name: Buddy T Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 88 BananaBucks : 23,952 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 596 Times Was Thanked 80 Times in 38 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 43 Times	Re: Wintering E. Maurellii in HZ8,-7 or 6? Mine are doing well in the garage, with lights. It stays in the 60's out there. The new growth is coming out with spots and looking like crap? I am guessing they are just not happy with what they have to grow in??? But The PS looks great . __________________ A regular ride is better than a dressed up walk.

12-13-2013, 08:41 PM	#16 (permalink)
stevelau1911 stevelau1911's Photo Gallery Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 458 BananaBucks : 158,390 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 51 Times Was Thanked 563 Times in 258 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 24 Times	Re: Wintering E. Maurellii in HZ8,-7 or 6? Just updating again. After 1 week of dusting the ensete maurelii with sulfur fungicide and putting them in a spot that is closer to the 40-45F range, it looks like the rotting has ceased. I'm not sure if it was the fungicide or the lower temperatures, but they look fairly stable now compared to 8 days ago when it looks like they would lose a lot more weight. I just hope they can maintain for another 3 months or so. It seems like the fungicide powder is necessary and so are low temperatures. One of them was placed up side down while the other one is put normally both in brown plastic bags, and both are looking OK now. __________________ I'm in zone 6 upstate NY, specialize in growing temperate cold hardy bamboos(mainly phyllostachys) and starting to get into bananas. my picture website is http://www.flickr.com/photos/31489820@N02/ http://stevespeonygarden.blogspot.com/

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