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Cold Hardy Bananas This forum is dedicated to the discussion of bananas that are able to grow and thrive in cold areas. You'll find lots of tips and discussions about keeping your bananas over the winter.


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Old 10-13-2021, 11:39 PM   #581 (permalink)
 
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Default Re: Time to put the bananas to sleep for the Winter

So I was out of town for a few days during which we had a bit of a frost, and I came back to this:

My two dwarf (super dwarf?) somethings - the two black plants in the foreground - and my Dwarf Orinoco - back left in front of the turquoise adirondacks

I don't really know what the low temp or for how long was but I think it unlikely it was below 0C - this morning the low was 1C and the windsheilds were icy



Close up of the Dwarf Orinoco



Not cold enough to damage all of the leaves and the p-stems were fine on all plants, so I buried them in big mulch piles (fir bark) and covered them with plastic sheets to keep them dry.

And Helen's Hybrid, which definitely fared better but still suffered some damage..... I haven't mulched it yet



And 3 of the 4 Dwarf Orinocos on their way into the garage from the greenhouse. There was some damage on the upper leaf on the plant to the right.....it happened to be up against the side of the greenhouse



My Basjoo suffered slight damage, but as expected it fared the best of all the outdoor plants - I'll post a pic tomorrow for comparison.
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Old 10-14-2021, 10:54 AM   #582 (permalink)
 
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Default Re: Time to put the bananas to sleep for the Winter

My Basjoo for comparison to the above. Hard to see but there is some discoloration on a few of the leaves and the mid-ribs on a few have collapsed. Otherwise, not too bad, and a great indicator it is time to put it to bed.

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Old 10-16-2021, 06:32 PM   #583 (permalink)
 
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Default Re: Time to put the bananas to sleep for the Winter

did the frost come early compared to an average year?
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Old 10-16-2021, 07:03 PM   #584 (permalink)
 
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Default Re: Time to put the bananas to sleep for the Winter

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did the frost come early compared to an average year?
No, not really. We sometimes get first frost end of Sept. I have seen it as late as early November, but by then the first frost is usually quite hard. If we have a rainy Sept/Oct then of course the cloud cover keeps the heat in, but as soon as it clears up temps drop.

I of course looked at the forecast before leaving town and knew there was a possibility that one overnight might get down there, but took my chances anyway

10C overnight last night.
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Old 10-17-2021, 05:48 PM   #585 (permalink)
 
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Default Re: Time to put the bananas to sleep for the Winter

Frost predicted for the next 2 nights so I decided it was time. Here is my experiment this year with the goal of saving as much height on the mother stem and as many of the pups as possible.

Usually I cut the pups to the ground and only protect the mother but I would like to have bigger pups to separate earlier in the season, hence the large enclosure. We'll find out in 6 months if it works or if I am just creating a winter oasis for the varied endemic rodents.

And of course if anyone has any suggestions I am eager to hear them.







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Old 10-17-2021, 07:18 PM   #586 (permalink)
 
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Default Re: Time to put the bananas to sleep for the Winter

And the front yard plants.

I am not holding my breath at all for the 2 super dwarfs, but I thought I would give them a shot anyway. The Dwarf Orinoco is also in serious question, but gotta try. And the Helen's Hybrid??? I am hopeful the mat will do more than just barely survive, but I certainly don't expect anything above ground to come through. Keeping fingers crossed.

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Old 10-18-2021, 08:20 PM   #587 (permalink)
 
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Default Re: Time to put the bananas to sleep for the Winter

looks good
i might use a tarp this year as well

hope it works! i would like to try overwintering the dwarf orinoco also

what is the absolute minimum temperature you have seen there?
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Old 10-18-2021, 08:44 PM   #588 (permalink)
 
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Default Re: Time to put the bananas to sleep for the Winter

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what is the absolute minimum temperature you have seen there?
The coldest I have seen it at our place is -12C - more commonly our lows for the season tend to be around -7 to -9 or so, and its not usually for an extended period, a few days before a low pressure system pushes its way in and warms things up a bit
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Old 12-19-2021, 09:49 AM   #589 (permalink)
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Default Re: Time to put the bananas to sleep for the Winter

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Originally Posted by sirdoofus View Post
Frost predicted for the next 2 nights so I decided it was time. Here is my experiment this year with the goal of saving as much height on the mother stem and as many of the pups as possible.

Usually I cut the pups to the ground and only protect the mother but I would like to have bigger pups to separate earlier in the season, hence the large enclosure. We'll find out in 6 months if it works or if I am just creating a winter oasis for the varied endemic rodents.

And of course if anyone has any suggestions I am eager to hear them.







Looks pretty buttoned up.
I need a few done in my yard.

I saw your Youtube on another thread.
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Old 12-25-2021, 01:28 PM   #590 (permalink)
 
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Default Re: Time to put the bananas to sleep for the Winter

Getting ready for a big test of the winter set-up. Near record low temps forecast for the next 1-2 weeks. Supposed to get down to -20C with wind chill (-14C actual temps) which, if it actually happens, would be the coldest I have seen in my time here. Hoping the basjoo p-stems survive, but not holding my breath.

Luckily (at least for the plants) we have about 2 feet of snow on the ground which should help in the insulation department.

In the below pic you can see the HH bunker and the various mounds containing dwarf orinoco and whatever the superdwarf plants are.



Ironically, because of the way I set up the basjoo, it is the least protected by the snow.



Merry Christmas to all.
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Old 12-26-2021, 08:07 AM   #591 (permalink)
 
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Default Re: Time to put the bananas to sleep for the Winter

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Originally Posted by sirdoofus View Post
Getting ready for a big test of the winter set-up. Near record low temps forecast for the next 1-2 weeks. Supposed to get down to -20C with wind chill (-14C actual temps) which, if it actually happens, would be the coldest I have seen in my time here. Hoping the basjoo p-stems survive, but not holding my breath.

Luckily (at least for the plants) we have about 2 feet of snow on the ground which should help in the insulation department.

In the below pic you can see the HH bunker and the various mounds containing dwarf orinoco and whatever the superdwarf plants are.



Ironically, because of the way I set up the basjoo, it is the least protected by the snow.



Merry Christmas to all.
Wow that looks COLD! I cant wait to see the unboxing in the spring! You look to have your plants well protected plus the insulation from the snow.. wishing you luck! Merry Christmas!
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Old 12-26-2021, 03:57 PM   #592 (permalink)
 
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Default Re: Time to put the bananas to sleep for the Winter

Yeah, thank you! keeping my fingers crossed
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Old 12-26-2021, 07:07 PM   #593 (permalink)
 
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Default Re: Time to put the bananas to sleep for the Winter

Yeah, thank you! keeping my fingers crossed
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Old 03-29-2022, 02:18 PM   #594 (permalink)
 
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Default Re: Time to put the bananas to sleep for the Winter

OK, maybe in the wrong thread but.......It's Alive!!

Unfurled it today to make sure it wasn't bunching under the can and everything looks good. All the pups look alive and firm (a little rot at the tops but that's nothing unusual.



I think it is still a little early to completely uncover it as we will likely get a few more frosts, but I can now leave the can off of it and open it on the nice, dry days. It will be under a clear tarp anyway, so a good greenhouse effect to carry it through.

I also now know where all those squash seeds I threw off the deck one evening went

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Old 04-01-2022, 07:45 AM   #595 (permalink)
 
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Default Re: Time to put the bananas to sleep for the Winter

nice work looks like you maintained the pstem!
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Old 04-01-2022, 07:19 PM   #596 (permalink)
 
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Default Re: Time to put the bananas to sleep for the Winter

Thank you, looks like it, keeping my fingers crossed.
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Old 04-02-2022, 07:07 AM   #597 (permalink)
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Smile Re: Time to put the bananas to sleep for the Winter

Quote:
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OK, maybe in the wrong thread but.......It's Alive!!

Unfurled it today to make sure it wasn't bunching under the can and everything looks good. All the pups look alive and firm (a little rot at the tops but that's nothing unusual.



I think it is still a little early to completely uncover it as we will likely get a few more frosts, but I can now leave the can off of it and open it on the nice, dry days. It will be under a clear tarp anyway, so a good greenhouse effect to carry it through.

I also now know where all those squash seeds I threw off the deck one evening went

Looks great.
Did the mulch add any heat from decomposing.?
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Old 04-03-2022, 11:20 AM   #598 (permalink)
 
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Default Re: Time to put the bananas to sleep for the Winter

Good Question! Its possible but I can't really be sure. The mulch is fresh Douglas Fir bark which is quite slow to break down, so if it did, it would probably be minimal. However, every little bit counts.
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Old 08-19-2022, 12:16 PM   #599 (permalink)
 
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Default Re: Time to put the bananas to sleep for the Winter

What’s the smallest P-stem size anyone has tried to dry storage and what varieties.
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Old 08-19-2022, 12:48 PM   #600 (permalink)
 
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Default Re: Time to put the bananas to sleep for the Winter

What’s the smallest P-stem size anyone has tried to dry storage and what varieties.
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