Biddy

No, I'm not fluent in Spanish, but I do love the tropics. I live in Baltimore with, not one, but TWO Basjoo Bananas in my yard. Go figure. Somehow, I don't think I'm alone. Their beauty is magnetic. My trouble is creating a way, if possible, to have them return. One is about 4 feet tall, and the other is over 6 feet. Looking forward to some responses.

Richard

Check out the posts on Basjoo and the Cold Hardy Banana Forum. There are folks in your area who grow fruiting bananas. Go for it!!

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Chironex

It's fun growing things that "don't grow here". I think that's part of the enjoyment is seeing the disbelief on their faces when you show them a 10' banana plant in your backyard! Keep the faith, grow em if ya got 'em.

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saltydad

Hey Biddy, welcome. I'm in Silver Spring, and I overwinter Basjoo, Sikkim and Lasiocarpus nanas. Please do look at the other threads in cold hardy bananas. I can tell you I cut the pseudostems at about a foot or so in height when the first frost hits. Any pups shorter then this just have their leaves cut. I then cover the entire p-stem and/or pup with bales of straw; by breaking off sections of the bale you can fit the straw completely in all the air spaces. Last year I did not cover the straw mounds at all, and all of my nanas come back bigger and better than ever. Of course, we had a mild winter. They say this one might be much colder. If, so, I may also throw a tarp over my plants. BTW, this method also protected successfully my windmill , sabal, needle and fan palms too.Good luck. Post some pics of your plants. What else are you growing?

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mskitty38583

welcome to the org. im in middle tn and i have all kinds of nanas growing in the yard.( first year having them n winter) and yes when your neighbors see them growing in the spring and summer they are going to catch the bug too. there is a woman who lives down the st. from me and she saw my nanas and went to lowes and spent 19.99 on a basjoo that was maybe a ft. tall. she stopped by last week to talk nanas and i told her if she would have stopped by i would of gave her one. she is coming back by next sunday and im gonna give her a nana. so here in my area the love of nanas is spreading.

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lorax

Welcome aboard! I'm actually in the tropics, so I don't have any advise on overwintering, but best of luck with your Basjoos!

Kylie2x

Hey!!! Welcome.. I am a bit South of ya soooo not much help..LOL Nice to have ya here! I look forward to seeing you around!!!
Kylie

Biddy

Thanks so much for the warm welcome. I look forward to more communications with my new Nana family.