Overwintering Basjoo

drobbins · 03-06-2016, 01:46 PM

Hey Folks,

I have two matts of basjoo in my yard that overwinter fine.
In the past I've always cut them back about 18" tall in the fall but last year I left them at about 4 feet. Is this preferable or does it just leave more stuff for the new plant to push through? The p-stems still feel firm, I covered them with a tarp over the winter to keep rain out of them.
I guess my question is, are these p-stems likely full of living plant or are they just in the way of new growth coming from the corm.

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cincinnana · 03-06-2016, 04:50 PM

Start slicing from top of one of them till you get some green.
that will probably give you the answer.
And for a good photo cut one in half and share the photo to your thread.
That would be cool.

Since they are erect I bet there is some green in the middle somewhere.

Mine are folded over at ground level

drobbins · 03-06-2016, 05:52 PM

good idea
I cut about 6" off the tallest one
the inside is not green but it's not mush, nice and firm
I think I feel good about it
it's supposed to be in the 70's here next week and spring fever is driving me nuts. I'm ready for some green

[IMG]

[/IMG]
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cincinnana · 03-06-2016, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drobbins

good idea
I cut about 6" off the tallest one
the inside is not green but it's not mush, nice and firm
I think I feel good about it
it's supposed to be in the 70's here next week and spring fever is driving me nuts. I'm ready for some green

Those are great pics they even show the small push at the end of the season.
Looks like the cold stopped that leaf in its tracks.

Although that part of the stem is dead there might be some green lower to the soil. If there isn't I would cut all the plants back to your original plan.

If you do cut into green do not worry ....it is just the top of the next leaf.

Since the stem is still firm the new growth could have a challenge breaching and could cause a choke.

I went out and got nosy also and pulled the stem off the corm........dead/mushy to the ground.
The small "tail" was the next leaf to sprout from last year.

.

Basjoo....that was a new leaf.
by
Hostafarian, on Flickr

drobbins · 03-06-2016, 07:20 PM

that "dead/mush to the ground" is why I started covering everything with a tarp
I think around here, where the winters aren't really all that cold, getting wet and rotting is a bigger problem than the temp for basjoo

Mark Dragt · 03-06-2016, 09:52 PM

You both are sharing some really great picts. Thank you!

Denverian · 03-08-2016, 04:25 PM

I'm overwintering my basjoo for the first time here in Denver. It's wrapped/covered/mulched. The stem was about 4' tall when I covered it (overall plant got up to around 6' last summer), but if it dies back to the ground, how much growth could I expect this summer? Last frost is late April to early May. Last fall, it lasted until the first few days of November.

drobbins · 03-08-2016, 04:45 PM

my experience is if a plant like that makes through winter it will get pretty big this year
the corm has had a year to get going
your winters are colder than mine but it sounds like you protected it well
did you cover it with a tarp? I think it helps to keep em dry to prevent the freeze/thaw cycle but like I said it's warmer here so that may be more of an issue

Dave

Denverian · 03-08-2016, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drobbins

my experience is if a plant like that makes through winter it will get pretty big this year
the corm has had a year to get going
your winters are colder than mine but it sounds like you protected it well
did you cover it with a tarp? I think it helps to keep em dry to prevent the freeze/thaw cycle but like I said it's warmer here so that may be more of an issue

Dave

Yes, they were covered and kept dry. I also sprayed them with an anti-fungal spray early November right after the frost killed the leaves, and I let them dry for a few days before covering them.

drobbins · 03-08-2016, 05:22 PM

if you left it 4' tall then you're in the same boat as me
I started this thread because I was wondering if I should cut some of the stem off fearing the top part is dead and will hinder the emergence of new growth.
It looks like it's going to be an early spring here and I think I'm going to cut them back till I find some green
weather man says it's going to be 70's in the day and above 50 at night for next 10 days. By then danger of a hard freeze is about over
sounds like you still have some waiting to do

Dave

drobbins · 03-08-2016, 05:35 PM

here's an ensete glaucom I just dragged out of the living room into the sun
it was getting kinda sick of the low light
[IMG]

[/IMG]

Denverian · 03-08-2016, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drobbins

if you left it 4' tall then you're in the same boat as me
I started this thread because I was wondering if I should cut some of the stem off fearing the top part is dead and will hinder the emergence of new growth.
It looks like it's going to be an early spring here and I think I'm going to cut them back till I find some green
weather man says it's going to be 70's in the day and above 50 at night for next 10 days. By then danger of a hard freeze is about over
sounds like you still have some waiting to do

Dave

Last weekend while doing some gardening, I felt inside and the tall stem is definitely mush at the top, but feels hard toward the bottom. I was worried about that, but it sounds like I'll just cut it down to wherever it's no mush/soft and grow from there.

drobbins · 03-09-2016, 05:13 PM

ok, here's a pic of the p-stem I cut off the other day showing growth pushing up
it's close to 80 today and will be for next 10 days
I think it's showtime

[IMG]

[/IMG]

Snarkie · 03-10-2016, 03:06 PM

I'm just letting mine grow out of the dieback. Should I trim off all of the dead stuff or let it do its thing?

Woohoo, first year of regrowth!!!

drobbins · 03-11-2016, 03:57 PM

snarkie,

I was typing out a reply and looked out the window and changed my mind ;-)
the one I cut off is on the right and has pushed out another 6"
the next one over moving left pushed all that out in last 2 days with no help
I'm now inclined to leave em alone
[IMG]

[/IMG]

Mark Dragt · 03-11-2016, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drobbins

snarkie,

I was typing out a reply and looked out the window and changed my mind ;-)
the one I cut off is on the right and has pushed out another 6"
the next one over moving left pushed all that out in last 2 days with no help
I'm now inclined to leave em alone

Your plants are waking up! Great job!

Snarkie · 03-12-2016, 01:18 PM

I wasn't going to cut mine back, but I think I will trim off all of the loose stuff.

Thanks!

drobbins · 03-12-2016, 02:19 PM

the weather is so nice today I couldn't stand it and went and cut a couple inches off them all to get rid of the scared material from the winter.
a few of them look to be pushing new growth after just a few hours
I also started digging through the mulch I covered everything with and found 2 nice looking orinocos that look pretty good and a few colocasias
It's going to be a great spring

a.hulva@coxinet.net · 03-12-2016, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snarkie

I wasn't going to cut mine back, but I think I will trim off all of the loose stuff.

Thanks!

I cut one off about 4" above ground. Piled on bark mulch and straw but did not cover with tarp. Uncovered couple of days ago and found mush. Don't know about corm yet but it may be toast. I believe just trying to protect from freezing is not the only issue. Keeping dry must be just as important. I'm glad this one was just an experiment. I have several varieties that I did cover with a tarp that are fine.

I need to change my statement concerning the process of covering with a tarp. I now think covering with a tarp or closed bag traps condensation and keeps corm too wet causing rot. No more for me. Sorry for the bad information.

Mark Dragt · 03-12-2016, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snarkie

I wasn't going to cut mine back, but I think I will trim off all of the loose stuff.

Thanks!

It sure does make them look better.

03-06-2016, 01:46 PM	#1 (permalink)
drobbins Location: Central NC Zone: 7b-8a Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 96 BananaBucks : 18,174 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 11 Times Was Thanked 147 Times in 60 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Overwintering Basjoo Hey Folks, I have two matts of basjoo in my yard that overwinter fine. In the past I've always cut them back about 18" tall in the fall but last year I left them at about 4 feet. Is this preferable or does it just leave more stuff for the new plant to push through? The p-stems still feel firm, I covered them with a tarp over the winter to keep rain out of them. I guess my question is, are these p-stems likely full of living plant or are they just in the way of new growth coming from the corm. [IMG][/IMG] __________________ Central North Carolina zone 7b-8a Find me on the map! Last edited by drobbins : 04-07-2016 at 04:25 PM.

03-06-2016, 04:50 PM	#2 (permalink)
cincinnana container grower Location: Southwest Ohio U.S.A.🇺🇸 Find me on the map! Zone: HZ 6/5 Microclimate - Elevation 750 feet- 228.60 meters Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 8,878 BananaBucks : 4,979 Feedback: 7 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,914 Times Was Thanked 11,777 Times in 4,910 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1,957 Times	Re: Overwintering Basjoo Start slicing from top of one of them till you get some green. that will probably give you the answer. And for a good photo cut one in half and share the photo to your thread. That would be cool. Since they are erect I bet there is some green in the middle somewhere. Mine are folded over at ground level __________________ Cincinnana/Hostafarians Photo Gallery 🌴

03-06-2016, 05:52 PM	#3 (permalink)
drobbins Location: Central NC Zone: 7b-8a Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 96 BananaBucks : 18,174 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 11 Times Was Thanked 147 Times in 60 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Overwintering Basjoo good idea I cut about 6" off the tallest one the inside is not green but it's not mush, nice and firm I think I feel good about it it's supposed to be in the 70's here next week and spring fever is driving me nuts. I'm ready for some green [IMG][/IMG] [IMG][/IMG] __________________ Central North Carolina zone 7b-8a Find me on the map! Last edited by drobbins : 07-30-2016 at 10:47 AM.

03-06-2016, 07:20 PM	#5 (permalink)
drobbins Location: Central NC Zone: 7b-8a Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 96 BananaBucks : 18,174 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 11 Times Was Thanked 147 Times in 60 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Overwintering Basjoo that "dead/mush to the ground" is why I started covering everything with a tarp I think around here, where the winters aren't really all that cold, getting wet and rotting is a bigger problem than the temp for basjoo __________________ Central North Carolina zone 7b-8a Find me on the map!

03-06-2016, 09:52 PM	#6 (permalink)
Mark Dragt Location: Rochester,Wa Find me on the map! Zone: 8 Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 823 BananaBucks : 43,525 Feedback: 2 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,357 Times Was Thanked 1,718 Times in 635 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 332 Times	Re: Overwintering Basjoo You both are sharing some really great picts. Thank you! __________________ Mark's Banana Forest Paradise

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03-08-2016, 04:25 PM	#7 (permalink)
Denverian Location: Denver, CO Find me on the map! Zone: 6 Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 93 BananaBucks : 4,543 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 11 Times Was Thanked 124 Times in 63 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Overwintering Basjoo I'm overwintering my basjoo for the first time here in Denver. It's wrapped/covered/mulched. The stem was about 4' tall when I covered it (overall plant got up to around 6' last summer), but if it dies back to the ground, how much growth could I expect this summer? Last frost is late April to early May. Last fall, it lasted until the first few days of November.

03-08-2016, 04:45 PM	#8 (permalink)
drobbins Location: Central NC Zone: 7b-8a Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 96 BananaBucks : 18,174 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 11 Times Was Thanked 147 Times in 60 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Overwintering Basjoo my experience is if a plant like that makes through winter it will get pretty big this year the corm has had a year to get going your winters are colder than mine but it sounds like you protected it well did you cover it with a tarp? I think it helps to keep em dry to prevent the freeze/thaw cycle but like I said it's warmer here so that may be more of an issue Dave __________________ Central North Carolina zone 7b-8a Find me on the map!

03-08-2016, 05:22 PM	#10 (permalink)
drobbins Location: Central NC Zone: 7b-8a Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 96 BananaBucks : 18,174 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 11 Times Was Thanked 147 Times in 60 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Overwintering Basjoo if you left it 4' tall then you're in the same boat as me I started this thread because I was wondering if I should cut some of the stem off fearing the top part is dead and will hinder the emergence of new growth. It looks like it's going to be an early spring here and I think I'm going to cut them back till I find some green weather man says it's going to be 70's in the day and above 50 at night for next 10 days. By then danger of a hard freeze is about over sounds like you still have some waiting to do Dave __________________ Central North Carolina zone 7b-8a Find me on the map!

03-08-2016, 05:35 PM	#11 (permalink)
drobbins Location: Central NC Zone: 7b-8a Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 96 BananaBucks : 18,174 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 11 Times Was Thanked 147 Times in 60 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Overwintering Basjoo here's an ensete glaucom I just dragged out of the living room into the sun it was getting kinda sick of the low light [IMG][/IMG] __________________ Central North Carolina zone 7b-8a Find me on the map! Last edited by drobbins : 07-31-2016 at 10:21 AM.

03-09-2016, 05:13 PM	#13 (permalink)
drobbins Location: Central NC Zone: 7b-8a Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 96 BananaBucks : 18,174 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 11 Times Was Thanked 147 Times in 60 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Overwintering Basjoo ok, here's a pic of the p-stem I cut off the other day showing growth pushing up it's close to 80 today and will be for next 10 days I think it's showtime [IMG][/IMG] __________________ Central North Carolina zone 7b-8a Find me on the map! Last edited by drobbins : 07-31-2016 at 10:21 AM.

03-10-2016, 03:06 PM	#14 (permalink)
Snarkie The Cat Whisperer Location: Charlotte, NC Zone: 8b, pushing 9a Name: D.A. Hänks Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 2,119 BananaBucks : 173,990 Feedback: 5 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1,218 Times Was Thanked 1,976 Times in 1,145 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1,049 Times	Re: Overwintering Basjoo I'm just letting mine grow out of the dieback. Should I trim off all of the dead stuff or let it do its thing? Woohoo, first year of regrowth!!! __________________ Doug (D.A. Hänks) http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2955582/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1 The Only Eastern Redwood Forest in America "Nuke my 'nanners, will you?!"

03-11-2016, 03:57 PM	#15 (permalink)
drobbins Location: Central NC Zone: 7b-8a Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 96 BananaBucks : 18,174 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 11 Times Was Thanked 147 Times in 60 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Overwintering Basjoo snarkie, I was typing out a reply and looked out the window and changed my mind ;-) the one I cut off is on the right and has pushed out another 6" the next one over moving left pushed all that out in last 2 days with no help I'm now inclined to leave em alone [IMG][/IMG] __________________ Central North Carolina zone 7b-8a Find me on the map! Last edited by drobbins : 07-31-2016 at 10:25 AM.

03-12-2016, 01:18 PM	#17 (permalink)
Snarkie The Cat Whisperer Location: Charlotte, NC Zone: 8b, pushing 9a Name: D.A. Hänks Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 2,119 BananaBucks : 173,990 Feedback: 5 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1,218 Times Was Thanked 1,976 Times in 1,145 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1,049 Times	Re: Overwintering Basjoo I wasn't going to cut mine back, but I think I will trim off all of the loose stuff. Thanks! __________________ Doug (D.A. Hänks) http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2955582/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1 The Only Eastern Redwood Forest in America "Nuke my 'nanners, will you?!"

03-12-2016, 02:19 PM	#18 (permalink)
drobbins Location: Central NC Zone: 7b-8a Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 96 BananaBucks : 18,174 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 11 Times Was Thanked 147 Times in 60 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Overwintering Basjoo the weather is so nice today I couldn't stand it and went and cut a couple inches off them all to get rid of the scared material from the winter. a few of them look to be pushing new growth after just a few hours I also started digging through the mulch I covered everything with and found 2 nice looking orinocos that look pretty good and a few colocasias It's going to be a great spring __________________ Central North Carolina zone 7b-8a Find me on the map! Last edited by drobbins : 03-12-2016 at 02:21 PM.

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