Fire for Heat

enigma99a · 11-21-2010, 11:58 PM

I have some bananas that are 20' overall.. just impossible to protect. I'm thinking about building a small fire underneath them (there are some with fruit I want to keep above freezing..)

Any luck with this method? Has anyone tried it before with success?

Kevin · 11-22-2010, 12:06 AM

Sounds a little risky. What do you have to protect in zone 9b+?

ShearMe · 11-22-2010, 12:36 AM

Yeah, they should be fine.

enigma99a · 11-22-2010, 01:48 AM

Well... If the forecast holds it might drop below 30F.. That is a point where stuff starts getting damaged. If I can set up a heater and just give it a degree or two, it would stay green

at least in theory? lol

And i am protecting two giant bunches of fruit that opened this month.

sunfish · 11-22-2010, 08:31 AM

Smudge pot - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

RobG7aChattTN · 11-22-2010, 06:01 PM

I'd be worried about the heat of the fire dehydrating the banana leaves. Of course, 30F will do even more damage. Probably just throwing a sheet or tarp over them would suffice to protect them from a drop of temp if it only goes below freezing for a few hours. The plants that have not flowered will lose all their leaves if unprotected, but will quickly grow more. If there are several pseudostems off of the same corm, the regrown leaves on the other plants may be enough to keep the fruiting pseudostem developing, or maybe just the stored nutrients in the corm itself could be enough. Either way, let us know what you do and what the results are. I've heard that you can cut a fruiting pseudostem and put it in a bucket of water indoors to ripen the fruit as well.

Olafhenny · 11-22-2010, 06:26 PM

I have no experience in regions with borderline freezing conditions, but ignorance has never kept me from spouting off anyway. So here it is:

If you are concerned with a drop slightly below freezing for just a rare occasion, just do the tarp bit, which RobG7aChattTN has suggested and for added insurance place a tub of hot water under the tarp. The rising warm air should help with the temperature under the tarp, lasting for quite a few hours.

In the long run I would try to locate one or two of those infrared heating units, which they use often in open air dining, - if you can get power to the plants. Those could be connected to a controlling thermostat and give you peace throughout the cold season. But fire is a big NO-NO, because it is too localized and intense and could do in the end more damage than the frost.

Good Luck!
Olaf

sunfish · 11-22-2010, 06:31 PM

[quote=enigma99a;148352]I have some bananas that are 20' overall.. just impossible to protect.

RobG7aChattTN · 11-22-2010, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Olafhenny

But fire is a big NO-NO, because it is too localized and intense and could do in the end more damage than the frost.

Good Luck!
Olaf

I know that I've build fires to burn off brush that have damaged overhead maple leaves. Admittedly it was summer and the fires were pretty large, but the maple tree was fairly far away and the lower leaves really got fried by the hot, dry heat blowing toward the tree from seveal feet away.

KBaron · 11-22-2010, 07:12 PM

Try rescuing Musa when the temp. plummet to minus 10 celsius with a bitter northern wind added to the mix! I had to dig mine up four major corms, plant intact, and pot them up, in the green house...
May I suggest, that a set of Christmas lights (not LEDs), wrapped up the staft, and a double layer of tarp should assist your endeavor... good luck!

enigma99a · 11-22-2010, 07:52 PM

Well... this year just sucks. A cold summer, and now setting record cold? I got my fruit bunches wrapped well with frost cloth, and just hope it doesn't reach the forecasted lows. if it does oh well! it will spring back in some form eventually

I see forecasted frost for parts of Los Angeles like Arcadia, so it makes me feel a little better up here.

Olafhenny · 11-22-2010, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KBaron

May I suggest, that a set of Christmas lights (not LEDs), wrapped up the staft, and a double layer of tarp should assist your endeavor... good luck!

I like that idea! X-mas lights, the outdoor kind, would provide mild and safe heat, which should protect against light frost. With a lot of people changing over to LEDs there should be plenty of the old type available second hand.

enigma99a · 11-22-2010, 08:18 PM

I tried xmas lights with frost cover, not much success. I think that the best method is just to build a greenhouse around your plants, but when they get large it isn't that easy to do.. I was thinking the smudge pot might be a good idea for stuff that is just too big to cover. But my neighbors might not be so happy. I'm considering using an outdoor propane heater, but if there is wind at all, the heat will just blow away. I guess I just need to let it freeze and get it over with. This could be our last freeze of the winter, just too bad it came so early

ShearMe · 11-29-2010, 01:34 AM

If it's too big, can't you just cut the thing in half?

NJ Banana · 11-29-2010, 03:56 PM

I know it is probably too late for the info but here goes anyway..

Next time just go get the largest 4 or 6 mil clear plastic from Home Depot or lowes. Throw it over them and secure it to the ground with rocks,bricks, whatever is heavy.. Get 1 or 2 500watt Halogen lights and just leave them on over night (during frost)... It will be cozy warm in there.. I wrap my Palm trees in zone 7 and use only 200 watts of lights to keep it around 35 degrees in the plastic when it is 10 degrees outside of the plastic..
Good luck

enigma99a · 12-01-2010, 03:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NJ Banana

I know it is probably too late for the info but here goes anyway..

Next time just go get the largest 4 or 6 mil clear plastic from Home Depot or lowes. Throw it over them and secure it to the ground with rocks,bricks, whatever is heavy.. Get 1 or 2 500watt Halogen lights and just leave them on over night (during frost)... It will be cozy warm in there.. I wrap my Palm trees in zone 7 and use only 200 watts of lights to keep it around 35 degrees in the plastic when it is 10 degrees outside of the plastic..
Good luck

Yep, Actually I tried this method on some tender palms that can't take much below 32F. Worked very good (had a space heater)

My 20ft bananas though, are a little too big but my BBQ kept them green haha. Next time, I am going to try those outdoor patio heaters that put out 50,000 BTUs.

11-21-2010, 11:58 PM	#1 (permalink)
enigma99a enigma99a's Photo Gallery Location: Rocklin, CA Find me on the map! Zone: 9b+ Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 476 BananaBucks : 121,542 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 103 Times Was Thanked 277 Times in 129 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2 Times	Fire for Heat I have some bananas that are 20' overall.. just impossible to protect. I'm thinking about building a small fire underneath them (there are some with fruit I want to keep above freezing..) Any luck with this method? Has anyone tried it before with success? __________________ Average January Low: 40°F, Average August High: 95°F Typical Low Each Winter: 28-30°F, Typical High Each Summer: 108-110°F, Annual Precipitation: 22 inches

11-22-2010, 12:06 AM	#2 (permalink)
Kevin Location: Winnipeg, Canada Find me on the map! Zone: 2b Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 184 BananaBucks : 145,822 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 31 Times Was Thanked 100 Times in 76 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 5 Times	Re: Fire for Heat Sounds a little risky. What do you have to protect in zone 9b+?

11-22-2010, 12:36 AM	#3 (permalink)
ShearMe Texas Gardener ShearMe's Photo Gallery Location: Garland, TX Find me on the map! Zone: 8a Name: Zac Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 297 BananaBucks : 6,860 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 104 Times Was Thanked 267 Times in 168 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Fire for Heat Yeah, they should be fine. __________________

11-22-2010, 01:48 AM	#4 (permalink)
enigma99a enigma99a's Photo Gallery Location: Rocklin, CA Find me on the map! Zone: 9b+ Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 476 BananaBucks : 121,542 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 103 Times Was Thanked 277 Times in 129 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2 Times	Re: Fire for Heat Well... If the forecast holds it might drop below 30F.. That is a point where stuff starts getting damaged. If I can set up a heater and just give it a degree or two, it would stay green at least in theory? lol And i am protecting two giant bunches of fruit that opened this month. __________________ Average January Low: 40°F, Average August High: 95°F Typical Low Each Winter: 28-30°F, Typical High Each Summer: 108-110°F, Annual Precipitation: 22 inches

11-22-2010, 08:31 AM	#5 (permalink)
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11-22-2010, 06:01 PM	#6 (permalink)
RobG7aChattTN Junior Member RobG7aChattTN's Photo Gallery Find me on the map! Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 422 BananaBucks : 22,549 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 29 Times Was Thanked 438 Times in 234 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2 Times	Re: Fire for Heat I'd be worried about the heat of the fire dehydrating the banana leaves. Of course, 30F will do even more damage. Probably just throwing a sheet or tarp over them would suffice to protect them from a drop of temp if it only goes below freezing for a few hours. The plants that have not flowered will lose all their leaves if unprotected, but will quickly grow more. If there are several pseudostems off of the same corm, the regrown leaves on the other plants may be enough to keep the fruiting pseudostem developing, or maybe just the stored nutrients in the corm itself could be enough. Either way, let us know what you do and what the results are. I've heard that you can cut a fruiting pseudostem and put it in a bucket of water indoors to ripen the fruit as well.

11-22-2010, 06:26 PM	#7 (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 : 273,869 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 2,050 Times Was Thanked 2,012 Times in 876 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 77 Times	Re: Fire for Heat I have no experience in regions with borderline freezing conditions, but ignorance has never kept me from spouting off anyway. So here it is: If you are concerned with a drop slightly below freezing for just a rare occasion, just do the tarp bit, which RobG7aChattTN has suggested and for added insurance place a tub of hot water under the tarp. The rising warm air should help with the temperature under the tarp, lasting for quite a few hours. In the long run I would try to locate one or two of those infrared heating units, which they use often in open air dining, - if you can get power to the plants. Those could be connected to a controlling thermostat and give you peace throughout the cold season. But fire is a big NO-NO, because it is too localized and intense and could do in the end more damage than the frost. Good Luck! Olaf __________________ The reason I joined this forum was to share experiences, my own and those of others and to learn from them.

11-22-2010, 06:31 PM	#8 (permalink)
sunfish Banned sunfish's Photo Gallery Location: San Diego Find me on the map! Zone: 9-11 Name: Tony Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 18,429 BananaBucks : 1,296,291 Feedback: 8 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,210 Times Was Thanked 20,593 Times in 7,760 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2,716 Times	Re: Fire for Heat [quote=enigma99a;148352]I have some bananas that are 20' overall.. just impossible to protect.

11-22-2010, 07:12 PM	#10 (permalink)
KBaron Roger Baron Location: North Vancouver, BC Find me on the map! Name: Roger Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 7 BananaBucks : 2,508 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 1 Times Was Thanked 13 Times in 5 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1 Times	Re: Fire for Heat Try rescuing Musa when the temp. plummet to minus 10 celsius with a bitter northern wind added to the mix! I had to dig mine up four major corms, plant intact, and pot them up, in the green house... May I suggest, that a set of Christmas lights (not LEDs), wrapped up the staft, and a double layer of tarp should assist your endeavor... good luck!

11-22-2010, 07:52 PM	#11 (permalink)
enigma99a enigma99a's Photo Gallery Location: Rocklin, CA Find me on the map! Zone: 9b+ Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 476 BananaBucks : 121,542 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 103 Times Was Thanked 277 Times in 129 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2 Times	Re: Fire for Heat Well... this year just sucks. A cold summer, and now setting record cold? I got my fruit bunches wrapped well with frost cloth, and just hope it doesn't reach the forecasted lows. if it does oh well! it will spring back in some form eventually I see forecasted frost for parts of Los Angeles like Arcadia, so it makes me feel a little better up here. __________________ Average January Low: 40°F, Average August High: 95°F Typical Low Each Winter: 28-30°F, Typical High Each Summer: 108-110°F, Annual Precipitation: 22 inches

11-22-2010, 08:18 PM	#13 (permalink)
enigma99a enigma99a's Photo Gallery Location: Rocklin, CA Find me on the map! Zone: 9b+ Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 476 BananaBucks : 121,542 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 103 Times Was Thanked 277 Times in 129 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2 Times	Re: Fire for Heat I tried xmas lights with frost cover, not much success. I think that the best method is just to build a greenhouse around your plants, but when they get large it isn't that easy to do.. I was thinking the smudge pot might be a good idea for stuff that is just too big to cover. But my neighbors might not be so happy. I'm considering using an outdoor propane heater, but if there is wind at all, the heat will just blow away. I guess I just need to let it freeze and get it over with. This could be our last freeze of the winter, just too bad it came so early __________________ Average January Low: 40°F, Average August High: 95°F Typical Low Each Winter: 28-30°F, Typical High Each Summer: 108-110°F, Annual Precipitation: 22 inches Last edited by enigma99a : 11-22-2010 at 08:25 PM.

11-29-2010, 01:34 AM	#14 (permalink)
ShearMe Texas Gardener ShearMe's Photo Gallery Location: Garland, TX Find me on the map! Zone: 8a Name: Zac Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 297 BananaBucks : 6,860 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 104 Times Was Thanked 267 Times in 168 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Fire for Heat If it's too big, can't you just cut the thing in half? __________________

11-29-2010, 03:56 PM	#15 (permalink)
NJ Banana NJ Banana's Photo Gallery Location: Central/Southern NJ Find me on the map! Zone: 7 Name: Adam Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 33 BananaBucks : 1,665 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 0 Times Was Thanked 22 Times in 13 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1 Times	Re: Fire for Heat I know it is probably too late for the info but here goes anyway.. Next time just go get the largest 4 or 6 mil clear plastic from Home Depot or lowes. Throw it over them and secure it to the ground with rocks,bricks, whatever is heavy.. Get 1 or 2 500watt Halogen lights and just leave them on over night (during frost)... It will be cozy warm in there.. I wrap my Palm trees in zone 7 and use only 200 watts of lights to keep it around 35 degrees in the plastic when it is 10 degrees outside of the plastic.. Good luck

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