Unique overwintering question
 

Ok, I have 5 potted banana's of various kinds in a empty room in my house that I was just going to leave them alone to overwinter in. Little to no water etc.

BUT...I also collect Palms, and bought a coconut palm from Ebay. They have to have a warmer and more humid area to even survive so bought a radiant space heater for the room, and have a 5 gallon bucket of water in there for added humidity. I keep the room at a steady 72deg.

I'm noticing that the dirt the bananas are in is VERY dry, and pulling away from the pots, and leaves of banana's drying out, getting crispy. Would it be ok in this environment to go ahead and water the banana's more??

Last time I tried to over winter a banana plant I killed it by over watering it over the winter before I found this site and became "educated"

Scott/Omaha

Re: Unique overwintering question
 

From what it sounds like to me is the bananas aren't enjoying the warmth without some moistrue. Someone here will come up with a better answer.

Re: Unique overwintering question
 

If they need water water them.You don't have to soak the whole pot just give them a small drink

Re: Unique overwintering question
 

I will kick up the water...just a little and see what happens. They get misted 2-3 times a day as well

Re: Unique overwintering question
 

Yes water them but don't soak them. I killed 2 last winter by underwatering. The rootball pulling away from the pot is an obvious sign it needs water. But the crispy leaves are also a sign, along with less humidity. With the dry air in the house the plant is losing mositure very fast, as is the potting soil.

I was just looking at mine today and was amazed at how quickly mine are drying out. I think I last watered 5 days ago??? So I waterted today, but only to the point where a small amount of watered drained through the bottom. I really didn't give them much water, but when I potted them up I added horticultre perilite, big chunky stuff, so water is running through much easier.

Since you are already seeing the pot pulling away you may need to water a little more this first time until the root ball/potting soil soaks the water up. With that much space in the pot you are going to lose a lot of water until it expands.

Eric

Re: Unique overwintering question
 

There seems to be a bit of mis-understanding here concerning the phrase "over wintering" bananas. Im going to assume that what this overused phrase originally meant is; cut the plant down, dig up the corm, and store in a cool dry place in some peat moss (sort of like a potato) then replant in the spring.
Im going to assume that it DOES NOT mean, just bringing in your potted banana and not watering them! If you are doing this, you are just slowly killing your plants! Potted bananas can be kept indoors year round just like any other tropical house plant. They require warmth, light, and water. Even tropical plants slow their growth during the winter and require some sort of 'resting' phase. Just dont over water them. And keep an eye out for spider mites. If you are bringing them from outside full sun or very bright light into a lot less light inside-then you may want to cut off some of the excess bottom leaves. These will most likely turn yellow and start to die as the amount of light has diminished and these leaves will not be useful-so they are the first to go. Keep a saucer under your pot and water thoroughly when dry to the touch. DO NOT allow the potting mix to dry out for long periods and cake up-once the potting mix is too dry, when you water it will just run straight through and not be able to absorb any water. Treat them as you would most other normal house plants and they should be fine til spring. It sounds to me like you have already allowed it to dry too much. So, take them into the tub, water them thoroughly until the mix is once again fully moistened, allow them to drain out, cut off the excess yellowing or dried up leaves and them place them into your room where you can provide them with as much light as possible. DO NOT water them again until they have ALMOST dried out. An easy method is to stick your index finger all the way down into the soil about an inch or so out from the P-stems. If can feel ANY moisture at all-DO NOT water. If it is dry to the touch, then water again-just DO NOT keep it continuously wet all the time. A bucket of water in the room helps- but buckets have small surface areas for evaporation to occur. Some sort of tray or large saucer with a larger surface area will be much better for humidity in the room.

Re: Unique overwintering question
 

Thank you, Varig8, finally another voice of reason in the confusion of the "wintering debate".

Just one caveat: Scott, the original poster in this thread, does not state, if he is providing light as well as warmth.
I presume, that his palms do require that? Light or no light changes the whole parameter of plant treatment.

Good luck to Scott,
Olaf

Re: Unique overwintering question
 

Yes, nice sized east facing window provides natural light, and I leave the over head ceiling light on during the day as well.

Re: Unique overwintering question
 

Re: Unique overwintering question
 

Once you realize that you are not putting them to sleep, it is easier to see that they still need what they have always needed, heat, light, food, and moisture/water just in smaller amounts.
I would up your light source some from just a light to, maybe some sort of full spectrum grow light etc. and then share the light " rotate them periodically" and a fan could not hurt.
Good luck!

Re: Unique overwintering question
 

Pic of room, heater, bucket of water. Temp at 72, 55% humidity or so. Great for Coconut palm....

Re: Unique overwintering question
 

Varig8, great reply maybe one of the senior members or anybody should start a tread to rename, describe and divide these two different techniques, possibly off-season housing or off season indoor storage, so that these are treated separate as should be. Then we would no longer have this cross confusion. Just a thought, I don't feel I have been around long enough to provide solid input, though I realize that all input is useful. I wouldn't know how to start a titled section anyhow