lwabirds

I'm in southern Ohio (zone 6a). I order one of these to plant with my basjoos. Are they hardy in my zone? Hardy as basjoo? Any one have any luck with them coming back this spring?

bigdog

I live in zone 7a, and mine not only came back but the pseudostem survived underneath (and inside) a bag of leaves. Not sure about being AS hardy as M. basjoo, but it comes pretty close, IMHO. I would think that it would do ok for you, provided that you protect the root zone very well with several inches of mulch during the winter.

jrozier

My Musa Sikkimensis isn't "Red tiger" (just green with a little red) but it is the first banana to grow in my yard, even before basjoo. The unprotected stems have not been killed in the past 3 years (since I've had it) although the winters haven't been much below the 20's. I think after all is tried out, it may be just as hardy as basjoo - at least in the southeast.



Joe

lwabirds

thanks for the info. Do they look more like a cavendish type banana rather than a basjoo when they are grown (ex. leaf appearance). Do you have any pics of yours?

jrozier

not the best picture. (Tallest one in center) Maybe bigdog has a better one.

lwabirds

what type of banana is next to the sikkimensis?

jrozier

a newly planted 'Bordelon' to the left. The banana to the far right is a Raja puri pup from a friend.

bigdog

My M. sikkimensis is much smaller than that, having just planted it out last year. I think I have a pic or two in my gallery. The red splotching on the newer leaves faded out after it got a little size to it. Really looks nothing like a Cavendish IMHO. Here it is last August. That small pseudostem survived with just a bag of leaves placed over the top of it, and it's working on opening up its first full leaf right now.

Tropicallvr

This banana in amazing. It has started leafing out from a 4" pencil thin pseudostem, after surving a really tough winter. I'd say this one is definatly the second hardiest banana available, if not just as hardy.