Is there a need to winter bananas in 9b?
 

I don't know if I am tired and can't find the answer but I have been on hear for about an hour looking for it. So I am sorry if I bother anyone for asking.

Do I need to winter my bananas in zone 9b? Again sorry if this has been answered before. Thanks for any help you can give.

Re: Is there a need to winter bananas in 9b?
 

Winter, as in cover or protect them from the cold? For the most part, I would say not. Depends on what kinds you have. What are your minimum temps? 9b in one country is different in another country. Where are you?

Re: Is there a need to winter bananas in 9b?
 

Yeah I was wondering if I should cover them, dig them up, any of that stuff. I am in the San Francisco East Bay. The temps get down around 28 degrees sometimes. Some days I may wake up and find the grass has a little frost on it, then it quickly disappears.

I have 2 new bananas that will stay in the garage. My oldest banana is a goldfinger that is the one I am mostly wondering about.

Re: Is there a need to winter bananas in 9b?
 

If you get down to near or below freezing as you say, then I think the answer is yes, you probably need to consider some form of protection. Banana leaves will definitely be damaged by frost though if it is a light one the pseudostem may be OK. However, if you get any prolonged cold then pstem damage is likely to occur as well. I'm in the Houston area and I lose all of my banana leaves every winter. I wrap the pstems of anything I'm concerned about or hope to get fruit from next year with a couple layers of frost cloth.

Re: Is there a need to winter bananas in 9b?
 

Steve, If you have any fruit, definitely protect and cover them (or remove them if they are close enough to harvest), as they will suffer and the flesh will crystallize if it gets even close to freezing.

As far as the plants, I'd say it depends on how established they are and each cultivar's particular hardiness. I live in Z10, but my family lives in Z9b in Riverside, and several years ago, I planted them (in the spring) and they've never been dug up. The minimum temps it gets out there is about 25, which is only for a few hours at a time. I am not sure how long your temp stays that cold, but I'd imagine in the bay area, there are a lot of microclimates, as I have friends who live in both Fremont and San Leandro, and while my friend who lives in San Leandro never gets a frost, my friend in Fremont gets hail and on the rare occasion, snow that sticks.

Look into what the cultivars you have can tolerate. For instance, here in z10, I even have a little trouble with leaf burn in January with a couple of the cv's, yet others look great!

For winter hardiness, I can say the best ones that have handled their quick dips down to 25 degree weather are:

Orinoco (both Dwf and Std), Manzano, Rajapuri, and Cardaba. Ice Cream did pretty good too, but suffered the most dieback, however rebounded the quickest.

What you can expect from an established stand would probably be about a 25-50% dieback on the harshest of winters, yet putting up with it for a year or two will give your establishing more strength for future years. By putting down a clear drapecloth over them when there's a chance of frost, you will retain a higher temp from the ground warmth, since our ground temps don't really get below freezing like the midwest. That's what is most damaging to musa.

Unless your plants are still very small and haven't had any pups emerge yet, I think you should just leave them in the ground and deal with one winter. Just dig them if we have a storm of the century that puts a freakish blanket of snow over California, which would likely not happen, but this has been a weird weather year. Good luck!!

Re: Is there a need to winter bananas in 9b?
 

Yes in the Bay Area we have a lot of microclimates, and as far as snow is concerned that is very rare except on Mt. Diablo which happens every so often. For instance it could be warm where I live, but if I am am going to San Francisco I better bring a jacket (even though it is zone 10). When the temps dip down into the 20s, usually high 20's, it is for a very short period of time. For instance it seems like nothing bigger than a blade of grass gets frost, and that is gone as soon as the sun hits it or even before. This is the usual, if El Nino hits, all norms are out the window. It snowed once that I remember and didn't touch the ground, where I live that is.

The weather here is interesting. I live along the delta which has the sea air coming in, that keeps the temps from getting to hot or to cold. Though the farther you move down the delta and the river more air from the valley comes in which can be hotter and colder. Luckily I live along the delta with its ocean air and it keeps us in 9b.:woohoonaner:

Re: Is there a need to winter bananas in 9b?
 

Sounds like you should be fine. I'd almost say you're in the high zone 9, as if there was a "zone 9c", you would be in it! :)

I know what you mean about the heat/cold differences. Last time I was up there last year, I was staying in Benicia and went on a wine tour. Then I went to visit some relatives and friends through Walnut Creek and San Ramon, and the temperature difference was about 25 degrees between Benicia and San Ramon. We dressed in long pants and sweaters at the resort in Benicia, and had to change to shorts and t-shirts after Walnut Creek! However the landscape dramatically changes too. After you go through the winding hills of Walnut Creek, it turns brown, from the lush green near the strait.

In your case, you'd be close to my zone's tolerances and growth cycle. The little 'boost' I give to my bananas in about March 20th, is I dump a cu. ft. bag of steer manure on top of each banana stand (or if it's really big, I do 2 or 3). This will help heat the soil, bring them back out of dormancy, and also help break down any decaying material that didn't completely compost over the winter. Also, when it starts breaking down, it releases lots of great nitrogen into the soil. I usually assure a good fruit set by June so that I don't have to worry for many October flags anymore. Nothing is more heartbreaking than a sluggish plant that doesn't do anything till the beginning of fall. It works great, but only if they're in the ground.

Re: Is there a need to winter bananas in 9b?
 

One of our favorite things is on our way to Berkeley or San Francisco during the cool months.The fog rolls over the Berkeley hills and watching it as you head to the tunnel is so cool to watch.

Thanks for the advice on the manure, I will try that. I just have to figure out where to get it.

Re: Is there a need to winter bananas in 9b?
 

I buy it at Home Depot ;) ...you can't beat 98c per cu. ft. bag!

Re: Is there a need to winter bananas in 9b?
 

Home depot here I come.