briangifford

Hi!
As we are nearing the time of the year where our Bananas get to spend their time outside to grow and multiply, I could not help myself thinking about how I will overwinter my bananas next year. I was wondering which bananas could actually be left in the ground, cut down and Mulched in zone 6b. Is it only the Basjoo or are there a lot of others.
I am thinking about buying some more to create a nice Privacy fence like area with Bananas for the Summer time at the back of our property.
If possible, this will become a almost 100ft feature of banana plants.

Iowa

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Growing Musa Orinoco since 1993 - Added 2018-Basjoo, Zebrina' Rojo, Ensete Red Abyssinian - Added 2019-Goldfinger - Added 2020-Kokopo (Short Cycle), Double (Mahoi), Highgate, Super Dwarf Cavendish - Added 2021-Pisang Ceylon(Mysore), Musa Margarita, Ensete Ventricosum - Added 2023 - Siam Ruby

cincinnana

Basjoos are the most reliable and predictable plants for your project.
The foliage is awesome and the mats will be thick.

When planted in well amended soil and fertilized with triple 12-19 fertilizers the plants will give you the look you want.
Space your plants 4-6 apart in a zig zag fashion and in a few years you will have a jungle.
There are a few forum members whom will be happy to sell some starter plants.

Mekong Giant, another plant which will work in your area will give you the same effect but at a higher start up cost.

Both plants will look the same.
They love water and are heavy feeders while having similar growing habits.
Both plants will provide ample pups for transplanting....almost a nuisance.

An hours drive west to Shepardsville Ky is a nursery called Brians Botanicals this is a good source for the Mekong Giant.
It is worth the drive if you like plants.

Here is a local basjoo mat.
Click on the photo to see more basjoos

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Musa Basjoo zone 6 by
Hostafarian,
on Flickr

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briangifford

Thank you for all that info. Thats exactly what i wanted to know.
And thank you for letting me know about that nursery.
I will get a few more basjoo’s and if i get my hands on a mekong, i will get some of those too.
That picture looks awesome and thats how i like it to look when I’m done.

garymc

I planted basjoos and a Mekong giant. The Mekong didn't make it through the first winter and all the basjoos did. I'm in the edge of zone 7 next to zone 6.

sputinc7

I did not know any banana besides basjoo is winter hardy. Maybe they should work on more winter hardy varieties. If they can make one that is winter hardy, edible and short cycle, things like Panama disease will be a non issue.

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If you lose your head and give up, you neither live nor win.

https://sputinc7.wixsite.com/covwc

Varieties I supposedly bought: Manzano, Cavendish, Blue Java, Sweetheart, and Gros Michel.
What it seems I actually have: Brazilian, Cavendish, Namwah, Dwarf Red, Gros Michel, Pisang Ceylon, Veinte Cohol and SH 3640, and American Goldfinger. FHIA 1, Paggi and FHIA 17... Always room for one more.