Bananers

Hi,
We are getting ready for winter here in Zone 9(Northern Coast of California). We have some pretty good frosts at times and we get a ton of rain. Our weather is very different at times then the typical zone 9 and we can and do get snow(Very unlikely but we have).
Its going to be pretty tricky figuring out when we will get our first frost,which we could get anywhere from now to December,but it is gearing up for some pretty good rains.

My questions are what I should do with my Banana plant and pup?
The mother plant is getting pretty tall(from ground to tip of tallest leaf is about 4 to 5 feet or a bit taller) and still producing some big leaves.
The pup which is right directly beside it is about 1 to 2 feet tall.
Please keep in mind my measurements are guesstimates and aren't exact. I can take some pictures if that would help you all size up the two plants?

Should I dig them up or...?
I'm very nervous about digging them up as I am very handy at(sad but true) killing plants when I mess with them.
I don't want to cut them down either as our growing season is very short and I think they need every advantage they can get.

I'm uncertain what I should do and when?

I'm still feeding the plants as well as they both are still actively growing.

Any help(step-by-step?)would be greatly appreciated.
Thank You

P.S. My plants are Pysang Raja(Musa Belle)

Bananers

TTT

MediaHound

Old phrase, "better safe than sorry" comes to mind...

Bananers

MediaHound

Ever kill a banana plant?

mikevan

Unfortunately, since everyone's environment varies from others with a high diversity of climates and micro-climates, it's impossible to do more than make suggestions which you can adapt to your own specific circumstances. I don't think digging would be necessary - that's something that Zone 7 and north would be an ideal option. However you will require some protection. In some cases, this involves building a cylindrical cage out of chicken-wire or concrete-mesh around the trees, stuffing it full of hay and leaves, then wrapping it with a good strong poly - 6mil works well. Cover the top with a heavy-duty trash-bag (replace when it gets tears) when the leaves brown from the first frost. Keep the soil on the dry side if you can - but not bone dry. I had nanners that actually died back because they were too dry over the winter! Normally, with a thick mulch, regular rain takes care of this. But if your area is arid, poke thru the mulch and feel if the soil is starting to get pretty dry - when it is, give it a moderate dousing of water to maintain a moderate moisture level - nowhere near what it is during the growing period tho. After last chance of frost is past, disassemble the setup and let the nanner air out.

That's about as close to step-by-step as one can provide. Alternatively you can build a little greenhouse over it too.

Have fun,
Mike

nucci60

:2143: I didn't know zone 9 had winter!!

Bananers

Thanks for the info Mike
I think that I am probably going to dig them up for the winter though as I have a feeling we are going to be in for a pretty good winter.
I read a post by Frank( Time to put the bananas to sleep for the Winter ) which really makes me more comfortable about digging my naners up...they seem pretty bullet proof.

You are right when you say "everyone's environment varies from others with a high diversity of climates and micro-climates, it's impossible to do more than make suggestions which you can adapt to your own specific circumstances."

This is what I am basing my decision to dig up the plants for the winter on so I hope its the right one.

Hi nucci60,
You bet Zone 9 gets winters and some of them can be down right bad.