Greetings from northern Iowa
 

I've been interested in bananas for several years, since learning that Musa basjoo could possibly survive in the midwestern locales I've called home. I started out growing it in northeast Kansas, where it survived several (but not all) winters with minimal protection. Now I'm in northeast Iowa, on the border between zones 4b and 5a. I planted a basjoo out last spring and gave it regular fertilization with Miracle-Grow and fish emulsion, and got it to about six feet tall with a second sturdy pseudostem formed. Then I protected it over the winter with straw bales and dry leaves covered by a tarp. It survived our harsh winter that hit -21f on three different nights, and I am looking forward to further and larger growth this year. My main banana-related goal for the 2018 growing season is to further research optimal fertilization methods and apply this research.

Re: Greetings from northern Iowa
 

Welcome to the Bunch.

Re: Greetings from northern Iowa
 

Welcome to the banana gang!.......:2723::bananarow::2723:

Re: Greetings from northern Iowa
 

Hello!

Im new to bananas and am originally from St Louis so I find it amazing that you managed to keep plants alive in extreme cold like that! I never considered trying my luck at bananas while still in Missouri, but now that Im in the deep South and have a house Im all over it!

Best of luck this year for you!

Greetings from northern Iowa
 

Welcome to the Banana Group.

Craig

Re: Greetings from northern Iowa
 

Welcome to the Jungle...:woohoonaner:

Basjoos should do well in your area.

For your research on optimal growth try triple 15 through 19 and see which does the best for you,

Have fun here.