Appropriate size on Basjoo?

NeedForSeed · 09-09-2012, 11:21 AM

Hello everybody!
In a few months when it gets cold for real I will be having a dilemma. Should I leave the basjoo in the ground, should I dig it up storing it dormant in my basement or should I try keeping it growing inside?? Its pseudo-stem is about 70cm (2' 3") with a diameter of 7cm (3") and has two small pups just emerging from the ground. I might upload some photos later.

I'm afraid that it might be to small to survive the winter and because it's the only specimen I have I really want it to survive. Last winter I tried to overwinter a sikkimensis inground but it was totally rotten as I unwrapped it. We had a minimum of about -15C (5F) last winter but normally it's around -5C (23F).

So what do you guys think? In the ground or inside?

Thanks!

blownz281 · 09-09-2012, 01:30 PM

Well is your area that its growing well draining soil? In the winter they need to stay dry. I know nothing about where you live,but I would mulch around the p-stem several inches worth. Make a hoop house to put over the mother plant. Once the pups are at least 2-3ft tall dig them up and bring them inside for extras in case the mother doesn't make it. I still feel Basjoo is the hardiest of all. I lived in Ohio zone 4-5 winters. 5 is questionable ha ha. It was always single digit temps,lots of snow and rainy wet weather. All I ever did with my Basjoo mat was trim them to the ground and put some mulch around them. Also came back.

LilRaverBoi · 09-09-2012, 02:17 PM

At that size, I'd dig up and keep it growing indoors. It's awfully small to try to overwinter in the ground and too small to overwinter dormant as well. Not too sure how well basjoo overwinters in zone 7, but it's best to wait till your plants are large and well-established before trying to do such experimentation.

Just watch carefully for spider mites during the colder seasons....they love bananas.

NeedForSeed · 09-09-2012, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blownz281

Well is your area that its growing well draining soil? In the winter they need to stay dry. I know nothing about where you live,but I would mulch around the p-stem several inches worth. Make a hoop house to put over the mother plant. Once the pups are at least 2-3ft tall dig them up and bring them inside for extras in case the mother doesn't make it. I still feel Basjoo is the hardiest of all. I lived in Ohio zone 4-5 winters. 5 is questionable ha ha. It was always single digit temps,lots of snow and rainy wet weather. All I ever did with my Basjoo mat was trim them to the ground and put some mulch around them. Also came back.

I would say that the soil is very well draining because there is almost no clay in the soil, but we usually have very wet winters so keeping the whole plant dry is a problem.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LilRaverBoi

At that size, I'd dig up and keep it growing indoors. It's awfully small to try to overwinter in the ground and too small to overwinter dormant as well. Not too sure how well basjoo overwinters in zone 7, but it's best to wait till your plants are large and well-established before trying to do such experimentation.

Just watch carefully for spider mites during the colder seasons....they love bananas.

That's probably the right thing to do and don't get me started on those spider mites. Demonic creatures that sucks the joy of growing out of you is what they are. It sickens me.

Thanks anyways!

LilRaverBoi · 09-09-2012, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NeedForSeed

don't get me started on those spider mites. Demonic creatures that sucks the joy of growing out of you is what they are. It sickens me.

I concur! Yet another reason I dislike winter.

Olafhenny · 09-09-2012, 09:15 PM

Okay, Danijel, I have some experience with wintering Basjoos in HZ 6. If your plant was
sprouting as a pub just this spring, definitely plant it into a pot and bring it in. If it started to
sprout in spring 2011, however, leave it out. I have done it both ways with second winter Basjoos
and found, that even if the indoors plant was growing all winter, the one kept outside and which
froze back to a little stub caught up quickly, because the roots had not been disturbed twice
by transplanting.

Important for the wintering outside plants is, that they must not be in a pot, but in the ground.
And you will have to mulch the ones outside heavily, but that is a lot less hassle than digging
them up, potting and replanting them in spring.

I just wait until the frost damages the leaves, cut the PS down to a manageable height
(one that I still can cover generously with leaf mulch) at a slant for drainage, incorporate
an upside-down flower pot into the mulch over the PS stub, to keep excess moisture away from
it. Next spring I cut all the frost kill off the remaining stem, and wait for the stem to perk up
(almost immediately) and the new leaves to unfold.

Good luck!
Olaf
PS: You may also want to search "wintering bananas". There has been a lot written on the
subject

sandy0225 · 09-11-2012, 12:55 PM

I'd try to get it growing as big as I could until frost. Then I'd completely bury the whole thing in a large pile of leaves, then put a tarp over the top to keep out the moisture and wet weather. If it's three feet tall then it will live overwinter here in Indiana and we're zone 5, you are in zone 7. You should have a large advantage in overwintering vs our zone.

NeedForSeed · 09-18-2012, 09:26 AM

Actually I think it would be best if I potted it and took it inside for the winter. The Sikkimensis which I left outside the past winter did rot all the way down to the corm and it was bigger than the basjoo I have now. Although I've read somewhere that Sikkimensis are more prone to rot than the Basjoo but still and don't want to risk anything as this is the only specimen I've got. Also our winters might be milder than one in zone 5 or 6 but they are longer (about 5 months for a wrapped banana). So I'll just put it under a 36W fluorescent in a cool basement and focusing on next summer instead.

Hammocked Banana · 09-26-2012, 04:36 AM

I would Prolly try to keep it in the ground but just be really careful to keep it as dry as possible. When mine was inside last year it produced very weak growth bc of the naturally floppy leaves and I had it in an ideal SE window. When i put it out these leaves got raped by the not so strong spring winds, broke and cause it to get off to a somewhat slow start. This year mine is definitely staying in the ground. Even if I lose all the p-stem, it will spring back faster then if it gets all its roots severed and disturbed a few times and lives in a not so optimal environment for half a year. I just dug up a pup a couple of weeks ago and it is looking hideous inside from the change of environment. If u are keeping it inside, try to minimize growth rather than try to push it to grow as fast as possible.

I'm sure if u lost it there would be some nice members here that could hook u a decent pup that would catch up in no time. Either way keep us posted.

PS our winter here in zone 5 results in the basjoos being inside for 7 months!! And edible nanners like a month longer. I find supplemental lighting is needed for this long with light hungry plants like nanners

09-09-2012, 11:21 AM	#1 (permalink)
NeedForSeed Location: Sweden Zone: 7 Name: Danijel Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 76 BananaBucks : 49,531 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 73 Times Was Thanked 86 Times in 42 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 19 Times	Appropriate size on Basjoo? Hello everybody! In a few months when it gets cold for real I will be having a dilemma. Should I leave the basjoo in the ground, should I dig it up storing it dormant in my basement or should I try keeping it growing inside?? Its pseudo-stem is about 70cm (2' 3") with a diameter of 7cm (3") and has two small pups just emerging from the ground. I might upload some photos later. I'm afraid that it might be to small to survive the winter and because it's the only specimen I have I really want it to survive. Last winter I tried to overwinter a sikkimensis inground but it was totally rotten as I unwrapped it. We had a minimum of about -15C (5F) last winter but normally it's around -5C (23F). So what do you guys think? In the ground or inside? Thanks! __________________ ¡Totalmente loco! Last edited by NeedForSeed : 09-09-2012 at 03:17 PM.

09-09-2012, 01:30 PM	#2 (permalink)
blownz281 Location: Coastal NC Find me on the map! Zone: 8b coastal Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 1,373 BananaBucks : 371,918 Feedback: 6 / 100% Said "Thanks" 440 Times Was Thanked 756 Times in 534 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 14 Times	Re: Appropriate size on Basjoo? Well is your area that its growing well draining soil? In the winter they need to stay dry. I know nothing about where you live,but I would mulch around the p-stem several inches worth. Make a hoop house to put over the mother plant. Once the pups are at least 2-3ft tall dig them up and bring them inside for extras in case the mother doesn't make it. I still feel Basjoo is the hardiest of all. I lived in Ohio zone 4-5 winters. 5 is questionable ha ha. It was always single digit temps,lots of snow and rainy wet weather. All I ever did with my Basjoo mat was trim them to the ground and put some mulch around them. Also came back.

09-09-2012, 02:17 PM	#3 (permalink)
LilRaverBoi Nanner Time! LilRaverBoi's Photo Gallery Location: Cedar Rapids, IA Find me on the map! Zone: 5 Name: Bryan Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 2,937 BananaBucks : 122,430 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 534 Times Was Thanked 2,243 Times in 1,245 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 855 Times	Re: Appropriate size on Basjoo? At that size, I'd dig up and keep it growing indoors. It's awfully small to try to overwinter in the ground and too small to overwinter dormant as well. Not too sure how well basjoo overwinters in zone 7, but it's best to wait till your plants are large and well-established before trying to do such experimentation. Just watch carefully for spider mites during the colder seasons....they love bananas. __________________ BANANA RAVE! Feel the beat from start to stop, dancin' and movin' from bottom to top! lilraverboi@genxglow.com RIP Tog Tan. We love you and will always remember you! I'm Bryan with a Y! There is no 'I' in BRYAN!

09-09-2012, 09:15 PM	#6 (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 : 255,601 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 2,050 Times Was Thanked 2,012 Times in 876 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 77 Times	Re: Appropriate size on Basjoo? Okay, Danijel, I have some experience with wintering Basjoos in HZ 6. If your plant was sprouting as a pub just this spring, definitely plant it into a pot and bring it in. If it started to sprout in spring 2011, however, leave it out. I have done it both ways with second winter Basjoos and found, that even if the indoors plant was growing all winter, the one kept outside and which froze back to a little stub caught up quickly, because the roots had not been disturbed twice by transplanting. Important for the wintering outside plants is, that they must not be in a pot, but in the ground. And you will have to mulch the ones outside heavily, but that is a lot less hassle than digging them up, potting and replanting them in spring. I just wait until the frost damages the leaves, cut the PS down to a manageable height (one that I still can cover generously with leaf mulch) at a slant for drainage, incorporate an upside-down flower pot into the mulch over the PS stub, to keep excess moisture away from it. Next spring I cut all the frost kill off the remaining stem, and wait for the stem to perk up (almost immediately) and the new leaves to unfold. Good luck! Olaf PS: You may also want to search "wintering bananas". There has been a lot written on the subject __________________ The reason I joined this forum was to share experiences, my own and those of others and to learn from them.

09-11-2012, 12:55 PM	#7 (permalink)
sandy0225 Northern Tropics sandy0225's Photo Gallery Location: Muncie, Indiana zone 5 Find me on the map! Zone: zone 5 Name: Sandy Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 1,718 BananaBucks : 371,732 Feedback: 31 / 97% Said "Thanks" 38 Times Was Thanked 1,801 Times in 682 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 9 Times	Re: Appropriate size on Basjoo? I'd try to get it growing as big as I could until frost. Then I'd completely bury the whole thing in a large pile of leaves, then put a tarp over the top to keep out the moisture and wet weather. If it's three feet tall then it will live overwinter here in Indiana and we're zone 5, you are in zone 7. You should have a large advantage in overwintering vs our zone. __________________ Sandy Burrell Northern Tropics Greenhouse 1501 East Fuson Road Muncie, IN 47302 www.northerntropics.com specializing in bananas, heirloom tomatoes and water gardening plants~ check out our new online store at our website!

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09-18-2012, 09:26 AM	#8 (permalink)
NeedForSeed Location: Sweden Zone: 7 Name: Danijel Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 76 BananaBucks : 49,531 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 73 Times Was Thanked 86 Times in 42 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 19 Times	Re: Appropriate size on Basjoo? Actually I think it would be best if I potted it and took it inside for the winter. The Sikkimensis which I left outside the past winter did rot all the way down to the corm and it was bigger than the basjoo I have now. Although I've read somewhere that Sikkimensis are more prone to rot than the Basjoo but still and don't want to risk anything as this is the only specimen I've got. Also our winters might be milder than one in zone 5 or 6 but they are longer (about 5 months for a wrapped banana). So I'll just put it under a 36W fluorescent in a cool basement and focusing on next summer instead. __________________ ¡Totalmente loco!

09-26-2012, 04:36 AM	#9 (permalink)
Hammocked Banana Relaxin Under the Nanners Location: Toronto, ON and Peterborough, ON Find me on the map! Zone: 6a and 5a respectively Name: Brady Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 958 BananaBucks : 55,318 Feedback: 2 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,178 Times Was Thanked 1,156 Times in 555 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 30 Times	Re: Appropriate size on Basjoo? I would Prolly try to keep it in the ground but just be really careful to keep it as dry as possible. When mine was inside last year it produced very weak growth bc of the naturally floppy leaves and I had it in an ideal SE window. When i put it out these leaves got raped by the not so strong spring winds, broke and cause it to get off to a somewhat slow start. This year mine is definitely staying in the ground. Even if I lose all the p-stem, it will spring back faster then if it gets all its roots severed and disturbed a few times and lives in a not so optimal environment for half a year. I just dug up a pup a couple of weeks ago and it is looking hideous inside from the change of environment. If u are keeping it inside, try to minimize growth rather than try to push it to grow as fast as possible. I'm sure if u lost it there would be some nice members here that could hook u a decent pup that would catch up in no time. Either way keep us posted. PS our winter here in zone 5 results in the basjoos being inside for 7 months!! And edible nanners like a month longer. I find supplemental lighting is needed for this long with light hungry plants like nanners Last edited by Hammocked Banana : 09-26-2012 at 04:40 AM.

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