Uncovering Bananas
 

Hi Guys, I am not new to this site but unfortunately administration on this website is none existent. Password reset utility does not work at all (no emails) and no one answers contact emails. I could not reset my pw for old account so had to create a new one yet again.
The previous winter I saved the stem of my banana by covering it with insulation, unfortunately when it got warmer and windy day came it got knocked over and water got in so it got all mooshy by the time I uncovered it. It still grew just fine. This winter I did not want to bother and just cut it low, mulched it and covered area with plastic to protect from rain. I uncovered it today and did not find any stem till about a foot down from top of mulch and all wet and probably mooshy. My question is should I try to dig it all up and remove all mooshy parts or just let it grow like last year?
Second question is we have a possibility of frost until May 20 or so.... its been warm and I doubt there will be much cold from this point on. I don't mind If I get some frost damage it if happens if I Can get an extra month of stem growth. Is it possible that the whole plant can die from a night of below freezing temperatures? My banana is planted deep, around 12 inches below ground or more.

Re: Uncovering Bananas
 

Additionally, I had some bananas in front of the house which are deep planted and I didn't protect them at all other then couple inches of mulch and they are already growing. What also got me is that 2 seasons ago I planted some Colocasia Black Magic. I never had much luck overwintering bulbs so just left them in the ground for winter. Last year they did not come up as expected but today I found a whole lot of stems sprouting up which is really crazy. What worries me is that we may still get some below freezing temps at night and I really do not want to play around with protecting them. I hope they make it.

Re: Uncovering Bananas
 

Congrats on your overwintering.

Many times a plant will poke out of the ground while there is still a danger of freezing temps
A short freeze/ frost might burn the new leaves but it should not kill the whole plant.
If you do get a heavy frost an old blanket or garbage can used as cover will suffice for protection.


Leave the old stem(mushy part) in the ground and do not disturb the plant, the old stem will break down for nutrients.
Fertilize now for spring growth .

Re: Uncovering Bananas
 

What variety is it?

Re: Uncovering Bananas
 

I am sorry, Musa Basjoo as far as I know :)

Re: Uncovering Bananas
 

If you still have a month to go before the last possibility of frost, you could possibly use a frost blanket to protect them for short periods of frost. It's lightweight and allows air and light to enter but still has some frost protection capabilities.

Amazon sells them for around 7 dollars. I have my eye on a frost bag they have for a little more money, for when it comes time to get a couple plants through our mild winters in zone 8a.

Best of luck!!!

Re: Uncovering Bananas
 

So today I noticed a pup coming up on the edge of the area.... if pops are coming up before the main steam does it mean the mother plant is dead? I sure hope not but I am worried, this was my main big plant and this would mean re growing everything yet again.
I tried uncovering the main stem and found some mooshy smelly stuff so tried getting some of it out, the steam definitely gets solid below but I do not see any growth so far. Should I try to leave the area open to dry out? it was a bit moist after 3 days of rain. I was thinking about remove the mulch all together from above ground to let it air out but my concern is that the mulch is full of roots as far as I can see, I did not know the roots would reach so high up above the bulb.