Is itenerans the next "miracle" banana?
 

Has anyone had any luck in the zombie zones of 5 and 6 overwintering his banana?

Re: Is itenerans the next "miracle" banana?
 

Is itinerans the new miracle banana? Probably not, depending on what you mean by "itinerans".

The itinerans types sold on the internet have been tested fairly well in climates such as the UK and much of the US. They don't seem to perform too well in terms of overwintering.

Here is a discussion about the several types of "itinerans"

The trouble and maybe good news for some, is that more and more species are beeing discovered and put collectively under "itinerans". And some of these are likely to be cold-hardy and very similar to musa basjoo. (Meaning they are capable of interbreeding: Few species are said to interbreed with musa basjoo). However, I would predict most would require more tropical conditions.

Erlend

Re: Is itenerans the next "miracle" banana?
 

erland, thanks for the info. While i have your ear, I know you have some knowledge of ensete maurelli. When I changed it's enviorment by epotting and putting it outside, it started tearing it's new spears. It settled down after a few weeks and started putting out bigger leaves. Now it is tearing the newest spear that is unfurling. Has this happened to you? It should not be under any stress now.

Re: Is itenerans the next "miracle" banana?
 

There are currently under revision 6 itinerans varieties. The only one I know of noted to have special cold hardiness is the originally described form, known as as var. itinerans. I do not know whether this is truly sold in the markets yet.

Re: Is itenerans the next "miracle" banana?
 

There are some forms of M. itinerans that are reported to be exceptionally cold-hardy. Whether or not the one Agri-starts and others describe and sell as M. itinerans 'Yunnan' is actually a variety of itinerans or not, it is a cold-hardy banana in zone 7. I still have a hard time with this banana's true identity though. It just doesn't fit the botanical description of M. itinerans at all.

It's all about provenance! There are varieties found at very high elevations, even some areas that receive annual snowfall and frost. Then there are others that are lowland varieties that may or may not show much cold-resistance. Wish someone would climb that mountain and get me some seeds!