Musa basjoo and Musa Ice Cream in zone 7a/7b?
 

Hello, I own a country house out in Southampton, NY and am thinking about putting some tropicals. I have a windmill palm to be planted next spring and also a basjoo for next spring. My question is, will I need to protect my Basjoo for the winters in zone 7a/b? If so how much mulch or anything else? Now I know the Musa Blue Java is hardy to about zone 8a/8b? But what can I do to make it survive here in my zone. Please don't tell me "bring it inside". Tell me what protection I should use.

Thanks!!

Re: Musa basjoo and Musa Ice Cream in zone 7a/7b?
 

Hello, Welcome, & Happy Growing. The Search tab is your friend. I'd search winterization, or protecting bananas's from cold and see what comes up. :^)

Re: Musa basjoo and Musa Ice Cream in zone 7a/7b?
 

Thank you, but that doesn't neccasarily answer my question. Do you know how I should overwinter my Musa Ice Cream? It's already planted. Thank you!!

Re: Musa basjoo and Musa Ice Cream in zone 7a/7b?
 

http://www.bananas.org/f15/time-put-...inter-310.html Hope this helps, there are many other threads on protection or winterization, time to put you nanner to sleep & such. :^)

Re: Musa basjoo and Musa Ice Cream in zone 7a/7b?
 

Thank you, but again not what I was looking for. I don't want to bring them indoors. I want to leave them outside. I wanna know how much i should cut them down by, and how much mulch i should put on it or any other protective mesures i should take. Thanks!

Re: Musa basjoo and Musa Ice Cream in zone 7a/7b?
 

I have no idea what your cold is like. I know I use heat-tapes to keep mine from freezing. So if you wrapped you banana plant and insulated it, and tarped it you would have to cut anything off but the leaves. :^)

Re: Musa basjoo and Musa Ice Cream in zone 7a/7b?
 

Thank you, I will try to get some heat tape and throw a garbage bag over it and mulch it. Our lowest temperatures range from 0 to 10 F in lows in a true zone 7 winter. But normally it is about 10-15 degrees in lows. Any other bananas I should try in my zone?

Re: Musa basjoo and Musa Ice Cream in zone 7a/7b?
 

Also, could you tell me how much mulch I should use?

Re: Musa basjoo and Musa Ice Cream in zone 7a/7b?
 

Re: Musa basjoo and Musa Ice Cream in zone 7a/7b?
 

Re: Musa basjoo and Musa Ice Cream in zone 7a/7b?
 

Re: Musa basjoo and Musa Ice Cream in zone 7a/7b?
 

Where can I find the Heat tape?

Re: Musa basjoo and Musa Ice Cream in zone 7a/7b?
 

https://www.google.com/search?q=heat...ient=firefox-a

https://www.google.com/search?q=heat...iw=751&bih=316

Re: Musa basjoo and Musa Ice Cream in zone 7a/7b?
 

Re: Musa basjoo and Musa Ice Cream in zone 7a/7b?
 

Thanks guys this helps. But how many protective measure should I take for my Musa Ice Cream. Please give me instructions on how much mulch i should use. Or anything else. Thanks!

Re: Musa basjoo and Musa Ice Cream in zone 7a/7b?
 

the best help is the help you provide yourself. "search" the postings and find the answers, they are there.