Hello from a newbie in Texas

Pam in Texas · 10-20-2009, 09:54 AM

Hi all,
I am really new to growing bananas, but not new to general gardening. I had a question regarding the overwintering of small banana plants. I am in Texas, zone 7b and it gets pretty chilly in the winter months. I have 4 new musas that I plan to group in a really large (25 gallon) pot for the purpose of keeping them going for the winter only (about 90 days). We are planning a garden space where they will be planted in spring. The person that I got the musas from told me that I need to keep them growing over the winter because they are new pups and some are not winter hardy here. In my area, bananas left outside don't really start breaking ground until June or July and I'd like to get a jump on that too. The varieties are Little Prince, Thai Gold, Goldfinger and Musa Rojo.

Is this a bad idea?

Richard · 10-20-2009, 10:14 AM

Welcome!

I would put them each in a 25 gallon pot.

Jananas Bananas · 10-20-2009, 10:16 AM

I agree with that. Pot them individually, even if they are tiny.

cherokee_greg · 10-20-2009, 10:33 AM

welcome

CValentine · 10-20-2009, 12:58 PM

Welcome Pam!!

I am in Central Texas, Zone 8a!!!

Bananas are NEVER a bad idea...wishing you success!!

Pictures please!! AND post often!!

~Cheryl

Dalmatiansoap · 10-20-2009, 01:13 PM

Haha, no bad ideas when it gets to bananas

Welcome from Croatia

Eric · 10-20-2009, 03:03 PM

Welcome aboard, Pam

! Sounds like a super idea! When grown indoors over the winter, I believe watering & fertilizing should be minimal. That's because most bananas grow much slower during the winter. If anyone else has info on this, please join in.
If ya have any questions about using the forum, just ask.
Have Fun!

Jack Daw · 10-20-2009, 03:27 PM

Now I really had to take a microscope to read your first post.

Too small letters for me.
Welcome to the site btw.

Eric · 10-20-2009, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack Daw

Now I really had to take a microscope to read your first post.

Too small letters for me.
Welcome to the site btw.

I'll keep that in mind if I ever send you a letter

. I write smaller than that!

LilRaverBoi · 10-20-2009, 05:38 PM

Welcome to the site! You'll enjoy it here and hopefully learn a lot about bananas! I agree with Jananas...pot them separately. Having such a large pot for three plants is going to lead for competition of resources (water, nutrients, sun) and will also end up with a HUGE mess of tangled roots you'll have to sort out in the spring which will be hard on you AND the plants. You'd probably be fine in 7 gallon pots for pups for that time period.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack Daw

Now I really had to take a microscope to read your first post. Too small letters for me.

I think you want to use a magnifying glass....unless you can fit your computer on the stage of your microscope

Come to me in a few years and I can fit you with some nice bifocals with a good correction for near work! LOL.

Abnshrek · 10-20-2009, 07:48 PM

Welcome.. I second lilraverboi (Bryon's) testiment on the tangled roots. Depending on the height of your plants I'd say you could use 15 gal for the banana's. A 29-30 gallon pot is pretty huge. If you have a good temp (65-75F) environment that size pot isn't going to restrict growth in any way shape or form over the winter. Just have light. :^)

stumpy4700 · 10-20-2009, 08:43 PM

Welcome, When you say your bringing them inside are you bringing them in the house in front of a southern window or do you mean in the garage? The advise is a lil different if in the garage than it will be in the house.

mike · 10-20-2009, 11:25 PM

Welcome Pam

Pam in Texas · 10-21-2009, 07:10 AM

Thanks for the warm welcome and answers. Where is that embarrassed banana? I'll put my reading glasses on and keep the text smaller.

I meant that I plan to bring them in the house which we keep at a pretty comfy 68-72 through the winter. I have a space under a skylight that I could place a large pot, but a tangled mess of roots does not sound like springtime fun

From the great feedback, it looks like I'm going back to the drawing board and figuring out where to store all those pots. My enabling friend sent me home yesterday with another banana. I'm off to read your advice on dormant winter storage vs keeping them in pots and in active growth. I have a lot to learn, but this looks like a wonderful place to get educated

Thanks again for the very warm welcome and the great advice!

Youngbb · 10-21-2009, 11:20 AM

Welcome Pam!

Jananas Bananas · 10-21-2009, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pam in Texas

My enabling friend sent me home yesterday with another banana.

Aren't enabling friends GREAT!!!????!!!!! HA! HA!

We've got you now!

~JaNan

Bananaman88 · 10-21-2009, 12:02 PM

Welcome from Houston, TX! I'd keep them in individual pots and try to keep them on the dry side. Even at 68-72 they shouldn't require much water. Just keep an eye out for spider mites on the undersides of the leaves. Spider mite populations can build up quickly once your plants are inside. I'd recommend spraying your plants off very well with water before bringing them inside to hopefully blast off any hitchhikers.. You may want to spray them with some insecticidal soap or orange oil as well after the water spray.

Pam in Texas · 10-22-2009, 06:25 AM

I'll be watching for spider mites and do plan on a good cleanup before they come inside the house. Thanks for the tips!

JaNan, enabling friends are the best

10-20-2009, 09:54 AM	#1 (permalink)
Pam in Texas Location: Azle, Texas Find me on the map! Zone: 7B Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 4 BananaBucks : 4,513 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 3 Times Was Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2 Times	Hello from a newbie in Texas Hi all, I am really new to growing bananas, but not new to general gardening. I had a question regarding the overwintering of small banana plants. I am in Texas, zone 7b and it gets pretty chilly in the winter months. I have 4 new musas that I plan to group in a really large (25 gallon) pot for the purpose of keeping them going for the winter only (about 90 days). We are planning a garden space where they will be planted in spring. The person that I got the musas from told me that I need to keep them growing over the winter because they are new pups and some are not winter hardy here. In my area, bananas left outside don't really start breaking ground until June or July and I'd like to get a jump on that too. The varieties are Little Prince, Thai Gold, Goldfinger and Musa Rojo. Is this a bad idea? __________________ Pam in Texas

10-20-2009, 10:14 AM	#2 (permalink)
Richard un-Retired Richard's Photo Gallery Location: Vista, CA Find me on the map! Zone: USDA 10b Name: Richard Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 9,674 BananaBucks : 509,273 Feedback: 9 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,636 Times Was Thanked 12,543 Times in 4,721 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1,685 Times	Re: Hello from a newbie in Texas Welcome! I would put them each in a 25 gallon pot. __________________ Back in business at plantsthatproduce.com

10-20-2009, 10:16 AM	#3 (permalink)
Jananas Bananas Jananas Bananas's Photo Gallery Location: Austin, Texas Find me on the map! Zone: 8b/9a Name: JaNan Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 4,438 BananaBucks : 391,220 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,341 Times Was Thanked 7,059 Times in 2,683 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 133 Times	Re: Hello from a newbie in Texas I agree with that. Pot them individually, even if they are tiny. __________________ Jananas Bananas

10-20-2009, 10:33 AM	#4 (permalink)
cherokee_greg Love those bananas cherokee_greg's Photo Gallery Location: Fresno,CA Find me on the map! Zone: zone 9 Name: Greg Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 4,357 BananaBucks : 289,597 Feedback: 2 / 100% Said "Thanks" 8,066 Times Was Thanked 3,946 Times in 1,665 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 335 Times	Re: Hello from a newbie in Texas welcome __________________ Greg zone 9 Fresno,CA http://gardenjot.com/garden/view/1980/Gregs-Banana-Farm

10-20-2009, 12:58 PM	#5 (permalink)
CValentine Prolific Epistemologist CValentine 's Photo Gallery Location: Bell County, Texas Find me on the map! Zone: 8b Name: Che Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 3,846 BananaBucks : 151,514 Feedback: 4 / 100% Said "Thanks" 7,127 Times Was Thanked 1,782 Times in 625 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 362 Times	Re: Hello from a newbie in Texas Welcome Pam!! I am in Central Texas, Zone 8a!!! Bananas are NEVER a bad idea...wishing you success!! Pictures please!! AND post often!! ~Cheryl __________________ When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace. - Jimi Hendrix

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10-20-2009, 01:13 PM	#6 (permalink)
Dalmatiansoap Let there be light Dalmatiansoap's Photo Gallery Location: Makarska, Croatia Find me on the map! Zone: 9 Name: Ante Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 9,160 BananaBucks : 606,907 Feedback: 10 / 100% Said "Thanks" 6,508 Times Was Thanked 8,381 Times in 3,031 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 720 Times	Re: Hello from a newbie in Texas Haha, no bad ideas when it gets to bananas Welcome from Croatia __________________ https://abnb.me/AXJty518xib

10-20-2009, 03:03 PM	#7 (permalink)
Eric Banned Eric's Photo Gallery Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 2,759 BananaBucks : 138,387 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 1,364 Times Was Thanked 855 Times in 421 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 163 Times	Re: Hello from a newbie in Texas Welcome aboard, Pam ! Sounds like a super idea! When grown indoors over the winter, I believe watering & fertilizing should be minimal. That's because most bananas grow much slower during the winter. If anyone else has info on this, please join in. If ya have any questions about using the forum, just ask. Have Fun!

10-20-2009, 03:27 PM	#8 (permalink)
Jack Daw I think with my banana ;) Jack Daw's Photo Gallery Location: BA, SK, CEU Find me on the map! Zone: Dfa (Köppen-geiger) <-> 7b/8a? (USDA) Name: Jack Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 3,525 BananaBucks : 209,347 Feedback: 2 / 100% Said "Thanks" 2,771 Times Was Thanked 2,461 Times in 1,355 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 383 Times	Re: Hello from a newbie in Texas Now I really had to take a microscope to read your first post. Too small letters for me. Welcome to the site btw. __________________ Thnx to Marcel, Ante, Dr. Chiranjit Parmar and *Francesco* for the plants I've received. Zeitgeist - Corporatocracy 101 (~2hrs) Zeitgeist - Moving Forward (~2.5hrs)

10-20-2009, 07:48 PM	#11 (permalink)
Abnshrek Happy Growing Abnshrek 's Photo Gallery Location: Beaumont Texas Find me on the map! Zone: 8b, but 9b weather.. Name: Migael / Michael Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 9,492 BananaBucks : 197,364 Feedback: 45 / 100% Said "Thanks" 10,447 Times Was Thanked 16,440 Times in 5,237 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2,318 Times	Re: Hello from a newbie in Texas Welcome.. I second lilraverboi (Bryon's) testiment on the tangled roots. Depending on the height of your plants I'd say you could use 15 gal for the banana's. A 29-30 gallon pot is pretty huge. If you have a good temp (65-75F) environment that size pot isn't going to restrict growth in any way shape or form over the winter. Just have light. :^) __________________ I'm a Nannerhead :^)

10-20-2009, 08:43 PM	#12 (permalink)
stumpy4700 Going Ape for Bananas stumpy4700 's Photo Gallery Location: Satellite Beach, Fla Find me on the map! Zone: Zone 10 Name: Stumpy-----a.k.a Jeff Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 1,194 BananaBucks : 36,952 Feedback: 3 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1,353 Times Was Thanked 678 Times in 349 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1,300 Times	Re: Hello from a newbie in Texas Welcome, When you say your bringing them inside are you bringing them in the house in front of a southern window or do you mean in the garage? The advise is a lil different if in the garage than it will be in the house.

10-20-2009, 11:25 PM	#13 (permalink)
mike More bananas less stress mike's Photo Gallery Location: Savannah Georgia Find me on the map! Zone: Zone 9 Name: Mike Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 289 BananaBucks : 14,649 Feedback: 2 / 100% Said "Thanks" 0 Times Was Thanked 57 Times in 40 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Hello from a newbie in Texas Welcome Pam

10-21-2009, 07:10 AM	#14 (permalink)
Pam in Texas Location: Azle, Texas Find me on the map! Zone: 7B Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 4 BananaBucks : 4,513 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 3 Times Was Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2 Times	Re: Hello from a newbie in Texas Thanks for the warm welcome and answers. Where is that embarrassed banana? I'll put my reading glasses on and keep the text smaller. I meant that I plan to bring them in the house which we keep at a pretty comfy 68-72 through the winter. I have a space under a skylight that I could place a large pot, but a tangled mess of roots does not sound like springtime fun From the great feedback, it looks like I'm going back to the drawing board and figuring out where to store all those pots. My enabling friend sent me home yesterday with another banana. I'm off to read your advice on dormant winter storage vs keeping them in pots and in active growth. I have a lot to learn, but this looks like a wonderful place to get educated Thanks again for the very warm welcome and the great advice! __________________ Pam in Texas

10-21-2009, 11:20 AM	#15 (permalink)
Youngbb Location: Florida's Emerald Coast Find me on the map! Zone: 8b Name: Beverly Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 69 BananaBucks : 7,764 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 4 Times Was Thanked 15 Times in 11 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 3 Times	Re: Hello from a newbie in Texas Welcome Pam! __________________ Youngbb Miramar Beach, FL

10-21-2009, 12:02 PM	#17 (permalink)
Bananaman88 Bananaculturist Bananaman88's Photo Gallery Location: Houston, TX area Find me on the map! Zone: 9 Name: Brent Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 3,019 BananaBucks : 217,017 Feedback: 22 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1,339 Times Was Thanked 2,263 Times in 1,178 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 191 Times	Re: Hello from a newbie in Texas Welcome from Houston, TX! I'd keep them in individual pots and try to keep them on the dry side. Even at 68-72 they shouldn't require much water. Just keep an eye out for spider mites on the undersides of the leaves. Spider mite populations can build up quickly once your plants are inside. I'd recommend spraying your plants off very well with water before bringing them inside to hopefully blast off any hitchhikers.. You may want to spray them with some insecticidal soap or orange oil as well after the water spray.

10-22-2009, 06:25 AM	#18 (permalink)
Pam in Texas Location: Azle, Texas Find me on the map! Zone: 7B Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 4 BananaBucks : 4,513 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 3 Times Was Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2 Times	Re: Hello from a newbie in Texas I'll be watching for spider mites and do plan on a good cleanup before they come inside the house. Thanks for the tips! JaNan, enabling friends are the best __________________ Pam in Texas

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