PDXnanners

Hi all,
I've been lurking awhile and finally decided to start my journey with 3 musa basjoos, 1 musa 'truly tiny', and one Thai Ruby.

That last one seems like it may have been a dumb purchase, given what I've read around this forum and my 8b climate zone.

My goal is the tallest and most beautiful bananas I can grow in the Pacific Northwest (that means soggy ground for 8 months of the year). I'm not too interested in flowers or fruits.

What others would you suggest I try? I am hoping to overwinter everything outside with minimal (ideally no) protection (RIP my Thai Ruby I guess).

Thanks!

cincinnana

Do an internet search......include your grow zone ..

This willl give your an idea what will work in your zone.

There is also a good thread concerning cold hardy bananas.
There are some good takeaways there.
I think a forum member gave the 4 best plants to try.

Basjoos are a good start......

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sirdoofus

I had good luck with sikkimensis in Beavercreek (just outside Oregon City - 700 ft elevation at our house). Beautiful banana with a slightly different habit than basjoo and nice coloration on the underside of the leaves with some wine staining on the top. Mine got to be about 14-15 ft tall (top of leaves) after 2 winters, one of which it died back to the ground (poor protection on my part). Not sure what its maximum height is likely to be in that area, but it is certainly hardy enough for a good showing. I loved it, wish I could find one here.

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Who keeps calling me nuts??

Josh92

Similar climate here in the UK, but I'm milder, 9b/a. I would agree with Sikkimensis 'Red Tiger'. Beautiful leaves. Mine has thrived this year despite the very wet winter we just had, it had already nearly doubled in size and has put out 5 pups, one of which is nearly half the size of the mother plant.
I'm also having success with Musa Itinerants 'India Form' , it has grown quite fast this year and has put out lots of new leaves. It has a lovely red mid rib to the leaves that does eventually fade, and is reputed in ideal conditions to grow to nearly 10m tall.

Nerka1

As another Portlander I can tell you Basjoo grows like a weed here. During really severe winters it will die to the ground, but it always comes back up. Mine and a friends are blossoming this year because the winters was so mild. I think your idea to get more interesting bananas is a good one.

I have heard the same as the person above: PDX'ers have had great success with Sikkimensis 'Red Tiger'. You could also try Thai Black. Portland Nursery had them a couple of years ago. Haven't seem them since. Supposedly you can also grow Musa Velutina which has pink bananas! Also, the funky looking Musella Lasiocarpa is worth a try. I kinda blossoms like a lotus. I am starting to branch out and can't wait to pull my basjoo. Even the blossoms are a boring green yellow.

cincinnana

This is a good plant for a container....

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=...AAAAAdAAAAABAD

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PDXnanners

Thanks a lot everyone. Looks like I'll try the Sikkimensis here, seems tall and uniquely beautiful.
All the nurseries around here carry Musa Red Abyssinian too, but that seems like it could be marginal in our climate.