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Cold Hardy Bananas This forum is dedicated to the discussion of bananas that are able to grow and thrive in cold areas. You'll find lots of tips and discussions about keeping your bananas over the winter. |
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08-06-2019, 09:41 AM | #1 (permalink) |
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Best bananas to dig each winter in the north
I've been growing M. basjoo for a number of years in NE Iowa, zone 4/5. I was able to overwinter it with good protection in 2017-2018 but it did not grow all that well in 2018, certainly not well enough that it felt like the work of protection paid off. So I dug my plants in 2018 and wintered them indoors. They are looking pretty nice this year so I might try protecting once more. But I'm also thinking that my love of banana plants might be best satiated by simply growing them seasonally and planning to take them in for the winter.
Since the main selling point of basjoo is its hardiness, I'm wondering what suggestions people have for seasonally grown bananas? In other words why dig basjoo every year if I could be growing something more desirable or interesting? I'd say the biggest selling points for me would be potential to reach large size, and attractive foliage. I may try one of the short-season fruiting varieties like Veinte Cohol and/or Patupi, but I don't want to make my choices based on expectations of fruiting, because I realize that with my growing season, an awful lot would have to line up just right to get fruits even with the short season bananas. |
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08-06-2019, 10:42 AM | #2 (permalink) |
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Re: Best bananas to dig each winter in the north
Best shot is probably Dwarf Orinoco.
Its gets about 5-8 feet of pstem (easier to dig up and move around), cold hardy (slightly longer growing season than other varieties), and people have had good success dry storing it during the winter. Figure it will take you at least three seasons with fruit harvested at the end of the third season. |
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08-07-2019, 06:29 AM | #3 (permalink) | |
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Re: Best bananas to dig each winter in the north
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If your plants are sited well and planted in rich great draining soil then a thick layer of mulch in the fall is really all the protection you need. For fertilizer any inexpensive garden fertilizer will work. I use triple 19 or less. Basjoo mats are somewhat fluid in size with older taller plants being replaced with smaller plants year to year ....some years they will be tall and others not so tall. The Vc and Patupi need continous tropical conditions to thrive. Your zone as well as mine does not provide either. Neither tolerate being indoors for 7 months and the added resources to keep them healthy is cost prohibitive. Akula had recommended an almost bullet proof Orinoco.....he is right. Orinocos whether dwarf or regular size when planted in well ammended and great draining soil will reward you with that lush tropical look. These plants are more tolerant to cooler temps and storing indoors whether in a container or a bareroot. Orinocos are inexpensive, prolific, recover well in the spring and handle some abuse. This is a perfect starter banana plant. There are other tropical banana plants which can work but requirements to overwinter them become more involved. Basjoos when planted correctly are still the best plant for a low maintenance garden feature in northern gardens. |
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08-07-2019, 07:21 AM | #4 (permalink) |
Location: Burlington,Iowa
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Re: Best bananas to dig each winter in the north
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Growing Musa Orinoco since 1993 - Added 2018-Basjoo, Zebrina' Rojo, Ensete Red Abyssinian - Added 2019-Goldfinger - Added 2020-Kokopo (Short Cycle), Double (Mahoi), Highgate, Super Dwarf Cavendish - Added 2021-Pisang Ceylon(Mysore), Musa Margarita, Ensete Ventricosum - Added 2023 - Siam Ruby |
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08-07-2019, 07:51 AM | #5 (permalink) |
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Re: Best bananas to dig each winter in the north
Thanks for all of the great feedback so far. With a clear consensus on Orinoco it sounds like that's a definite direction for next year. I actually did have a Veinte Cohol when I lived in Kansas, and it survived (maybe not thrived...) after one indoor winter, but I lost it the next winter when my indoor storage unexpectedly froze.
What are dry storage temperature requirements? Unfortunately I don't have access to anything cooler than a 55-60F basement over the winter right now except for outdoor spaces that would drop well below freezing. When I've brought in my Basjoos recently I've actually potted them up, and they continue to grow slowly over the winter. Thanks Cincinnana for the comments regarding basjoo survival. Drainage is an issue as the soil here is somewhat poorly drained. In 2017 it was a very dry fall so I felt OK about leaving them out, with a tarp to protect so they didn't get wet over the winter. Do you have recommendations about banana-friendly soil amendments to enhance drainage and fertility? I assume I'll have to create a bit of a mound to overcome the poorly drained surroundings. |
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08-07-2019, 08:03 AM | #6 (permalink) |
Location: Burlington,Iowa
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Re: Best bananas to dig each winter in the north
[quote=brianrumsey;325691
What are dry storage temperature requirements? Unfortunately I don't have access to anything cooler than a 55-60F basement over the winter right now except for outdoor spaces that would drop well below freezing. When I've brought in my Basjoos recently I've actually potted them up, and they continue to grow slowly over the winter. [B] I store mine in the basement that is 55F-60F in the winter. Some bare root, some in pots.[/b]
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Growing Musa Orinoco since 1993 - Added 2018-Basjoo, Zebrina' Rojo, Ensete Red Abyssinian - Added 2019-Goldfinger - Added 2020-Kokopo (Short Cycle), Double (Mahoi), Highgate, Super Dwarf Cavendish - Added 2021-Pisang Ceylon(Mysore), Musa Margarita, Ensete Ventricosum - Added 2023 - Siam Ruby Last edited by Iowa : 08-08-2019 at 07:40 AM. |
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08-08-2019, 08:20 PM | #7 (permalink) |
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Re: Best bananas to dig each winter in the north
"What are dry storage temperature requirements? Unfortunately I don't have access to anything cooler than a 55-60F basement over the winter right now except for outdoor spaces that would drop well below freezing. When I've brought in my Basjoos recently I've actually potted them up, and they continue to grow slowly over the winter."
Excellent question, I have been wondering this as well in preparation for the upcoming winter, thanks for asking it. In that vein, what about minimum indoor temps for overwintering Helen's Hybrid (very young, not ready for outdoors), or Dwarf Orinoco (whenever I can find it), or other similarly tender bananas either bare root or potted? I have 2 options: my basement which can get fairly warm (and dry) b/c our wood stove is down there, or my garage which can get down to 38/39 deg. on occasion, more often mid forties. Thank you for any input.
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08-09-2019, 12:09 AM | #8 (permalink) |
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Re: Best bananas to dig each winter in the north
Following up ... any thoughts on standard vs. dwarf Orinoco? Good sources? I see that Going Bananas has the dwarf. I am a fan of large plants, but I can imagine hauling and storage might be an issue depending on just how big they got. And if the dwarf was more likely to produce fruit here in Iowa that would be a big point in its favor for me. Going into posting this topic I didn't have great hope of producing fruit here but would love for that to happen if it could.
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08-09-2019, 03:53 AM | #9 (permalink) | |
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Re: Best bananas to dig each winter in the north
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Many beds are raised. After a few years of heavy mulching for the winter a beneficial topdressing will develop and your plants will thrive even more and the expanding mat will be better protected. Last edited by cincinnana : 08-09-2019 at 03:59 AM. |
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08-10-2019, 08:17 AM | #10 (permalink) |
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Re: Best bananas to dig each winter in the north
Thanks for the soil advice. I have a nice pile of leaf mold that sounds like could work well for this application. If I have time maybe I'll be able to prep a bed before winter.
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08-10-2019, 08:35 PM | #11 (permalink) | |
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Re: Best bananas to dig each winter in the north
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Mulch by Hostafarian, on Flickr |
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08-21-2019, 03:03 PM | #12 (permalink) |
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Re: Best bananas to dig each winter in the north
I have a red leaf Abysinnian that's on its 2nd year here in Denver. Right now, I'd say it's about 10' tall. They're beautiful and the leaves are huge!
Just before first freeze in October, I chopped it off right where the leaves were coming out, dug it up, put it in a big pot, and then put it in my small greenhouse. I left the heater on about 55 degrees all winter and it initially grew a couple leaves in the greenhouse, but then went dormant until March. The downside is that these can get so huge that I don't know how many years I'll be able to do this. Should be fine this fall to dig up. I use a cart to haul it to the greenhouse. |
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08-23-2019, 06:52 PM | #13 (permalink) | |
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Re: Best bananas to dig each winter in the north
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first frost is in a few weeks or so. Your plants are done prepare for the winter weather. Last edited by cincinnana : 08-23-2019 at 07:24 PM. |
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08-23-2019, 10:12 PM | #14 (permalink) | |
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Re: Best bananas to dig each winter in the north
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But the biggest obstacle to spending time prepping for next year is a new baby as of last week. |
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08-25-2019, 03:16 PM | #15 (permalink) |
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Re: Best bananas to dig each winter in the north
congratulations Brian!
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08-26-2019, 12:14 PM | #16 (permalink) | |
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Re: Best bananas to dig each winter in the north
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Message me
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Really want: 1000 Fingers, A'ea'e, African Rhino Horn, Cuban Red, Dwarf Red Jamaican, Ele Ele Hawaiian Black, Lady Finger (GHB), Variegated tanee (tie black),Mysore, Praying Hands, Red Kru, Saba, Nino, Pitogo, Preying Hands, High Noon, French Red, Florida Variegated, Silver Bluggoe, Rose. |
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08-26-2019, 10:37 PM | #17 (permalink) |
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Re: Best bananas to dig each winter in the north
Hey Sylvia - Thank you very much for the offer, that is very generous of you. I did find a source here in Canada and now have 2 fantastic looking plants, so I am good. Now we'll just have to see what I can do with them.
Again, I really appreciate your consideration!!!
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09-09-2019, 02:41 PM | #18 (permalink) |
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Re: Best bananas to dig each winter in the north
I'm with you! My red banana is probably 12' at this point and looking perfect! Here in Denver, the first frost (which can actually be a wet snow), can be anywhere from the first week of October to early November. I've head years where my bananas and elephant ears were still standing in early November! Then there was last year, where I only made it to around Oct. 10th. I absolutely hate having to take it all down.
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09-12-2019, 12:15 AM | #19 (permalink) |
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Re: Best bananas to dig each winter in the north
I'm in Illinois and I overwintered Basjoos in the ground last year, and they have a nice growth this year. They just got too big and heavy for me to dig and take in. I did use lots of leaves and straw for mulch covering it with a tarp for the winter. I plan to do that this year also. They overwinter great, hope they do so again this coming winter.[IMG][/IMG]
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09-12-2019, 12:23 AM | #20 (permalink) |
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Re: Best bananas to dig each winter in the north
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