Question after freeze
 

OK, we recovered from our arctic blast and everything looks really bad.

My question is this; I really doubt we will hard freeze again this winter. We'll get frost for sure though.. that's 100%. Maybe down to 30 again since the season is so early. So would it be ok to cut the P-Stem back to green now? Then cap with plastic?

I am worried if rot will set in and gradually go down the plant. Happened to my DC last year

Re: Question after freeze
 

I was taught that the dead material will help portect the good and that cutting away the dead stuff just exposes the good to the cold and causes more destruction. here in central texas we took a hard hit, the haedest in 3 years, and I think that there may be more comming. some folk have used heat tape to help get the trunks thru the cold. good luck jimmmy

Re: Question after freeze
 

Someone told me the same thing leave the dead leafs for protection.

Re: Question after freeze
 

I took a tour of my garden after the blast it looks and feels like a war zone. Its sad. One day from so much life to this. I will take pictures . Im going to have to just start all over again if they donot servive im not giving up this is my first year with really growing bananas in my garden I guess it was best to go through this so I can learn. I still want to go on my island :woohoonaner:

Re: Question after freeze
 

i always loose the leafs on my plants here in zone 9 i leave the plants alone until spring but i do keep an eye on them if i notes the rot is moving down the stem i watch until it looks like its getting to with in 6" of the corm than i cut if i have to but that isn't likely to happen here the most i ever lost off a p-stem was 3" i know every ones freaking out but there tougher then you think they have survived for 10,000 in this hybridized state even up in high cold mountain regions for some variety's just take a deep breath and relaxes most will live and if it doesn't then it was a week plant any way and you don't want to promote week plants the cold can be productive think of all the things you can do in your garden in the cold like move roses around and plant trees and such its not a bad thing Bulbs move Cannes i wont go on I'm sure you get the idea

Re: Question after freeze
 

Well looks like the frost got one of mine (it got a whole 12 inches) and I'm letting it stay put.. as is well until february :^)

Re: Question after freeze
 

When leaves die from frost they will turn brown and die. If left on the plant they may offer a tiny bit of protection for the p-stem. If the p-stem has any rot from freezing I would remove it before it rots down into the corm.

Re: Question after freeze
 

I wouldn't be so sure about it not getting super cold again especially since it is just the beginning of winter. Usually the coldest temps come in February and sometimes March.

Re: Question after freeze
 

Hi, What is this heat tape you speak of?

Re: Question after freeze
 

A heat-tape is plugged -in of various lengths. It regulates the temp automatically to between 38-45F so you don't have to worry about stuff freezing like water pipes but banana's as well or other plants..hope that helps :^)

Re: Question after freeze
 

I leave the stem. If the site of it doesn't bother me (or the smell) I leave the fronds. I don't cut anything if I can and if I do I only cut the fronds off when the threat of severe cold is over or it's just so obvious there is no insulation anymore (I do doubt there ever is after the first freeze).

I remove stalks/stems in March when it's obvious it's dead. With a shovel. It's a waiting deal. Just wait. You're not going to help it at all or speed anything up if you start pruning and cutting it. It could make it worse.

Re: Question after freeze
 

My only question after the freeze will be are my p-stems still intact with the heat-tape(hoping so) :^)