mari@adams.net

Thanks for the information...I didn't think the LED lights would give enough heat, but would the regular lights give off too much heat to set the straw on fire? Sorry for the double post, but the pic was not showing up on my post when I posted it.

cincinnana

The lights should be fine ......they never have set my Christmas tree on fire
I have seen lights wrapped with blankets on stems in the south.
OR
You could change the way you prepare the plants for winter protection.
Use a thick 8+ layer of mulch for the insulater instead of straw.

Mulch has more r value than fluffed straw looks good and is a decent soil enhancer when it breaks down. Just spread the mulch out in the spring.
Tarping the piles of mulch is optional but not really needed.


Mulch
by
Hostafarian,
on Flickr

.
Mulched with wood chips.

Basjoo winter kill.
by Hostafarian,
on Flickr


Basjoo
by
Hostafarian,
on Flickr


Mulching Basjoo
by
Hostafarian,
on Flickr

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mari@adams.net

I've put some mini-lights around the base of the banana plants and have bought cyprus mulch to put on for mulch instead of straw that I have normally used. Going to cover the mini-lights with the mulch. We haven't had a frost yet but our temperature tonight is supposed to get to 27*. Is it okay to go ahead and cut the stems back now and to do the mulching? [/IMG] [/IMG]

mari@adams.net

picture..[IMG][/IMG]

sirdoofus

Yup, go ahead. I don't think there is a compelling reason to wait at this point as 27 will probably kill the leaves depending on how long it stays that low. P-stems will tolerate colder temps than the leaves, but still may get damaged. Of course the lights will help, but I suspect they are done growing for the season regardless. If you want to try to overwinter some portion of the above ground p-stems intact, then the sooner the better. If you are only planning on saving the corm, then you probably have some time. Either way though, I don't think there is a downside to doing it now.

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Who keeps calling me nuts??

mari@adams.net

I have some banana plants (non-hardy) in large pots. Do I have to take them out completely and refill the pot with fresh soil for this coming year? I'm in Illinois so they are now in the basement. Should I do it now or wait until later in the Spring.

mari@adams.net

The banana leaf was poking at the top of the tart, so I lifted the tarp and saw that it did make it through the winter. But, it is too early to uncover (take the tarp/mulch off) as we have temperatures fluctuating from 70* to the low 30*'s coming up for the next 2 weeks. Am I to ignore the banana leaf and wait through April before uncovering the mat.
[/IMG]

mari@adams.net

[/IMG]


Why are my photos not showing up....They are under the size required.

mari@adams.net

[/IMG][/IMG]

mari@adams.net

[/IMG]

Iowa

This pic.?

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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

mari@adams.net

Yes, thank you, what am I doing wrong that my pics won't post.

Iowa

It did seem different, I hovered on the 3 dots ... and a drop down had a choice to copy. It use to copy when you highlighted it.

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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

Your plants spring growth is determined by the current ground temperature which is in the 40+range depending on your site. There is alot going on under the soil and now is the time to fertilize your plant with your favorite fertilizer.
Gauge it with your hostas.....both plants have very similiar spring tolerances.

My plants are starting to push now.
You could leave the leaf exposed it will harden off faster....as long there is no freeze your good....if you get a frost put a bucket over it for protection.

I think this will be a good year.

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mari@adams.net

There were several shoots when I put them to bed last fall and I put xmas lights around them and mulched with mulch. Don't know what I will find when I take the tarp and mulch off. I just noticed something pushing up on the tarp, pulled it up and saw the shoot. We have a night time low of 26* forecast in a couple of days. Looking at the long range forecast, looks like it will be a couple of weeks into April before we get out of the night time temps of 30*s. I think it was the last week in April when I uncovered last year, but I didn't do the lights and mulch the year before, just this past year. It's hard to be patient.

mari@adams.net

What should I do with this pot of Orinocos (blue pot).I'm thinking the big stem will flower this year (why I haven't cut it down any more). It also has 3-4 more stems in the pot. Would trying to get all of the plants except the big stem out of the pot damage the chance of the big one flowering? All of these are too big for the pot and it is bulging. [/IMG]

mari@adams.net

Can someone tell me what to do with this plant? It is an Orinoco. I think the tall one will flower this year. The pot is full of smaller plants. Can I take all the smaller ones off the bigger one or will it affect the flowering.

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