RookFan

OK, here's the deal. Tell me where I'm nuts, bananas, or crackers.

The Redding CA heat gets brutal in summer and the winters freeze. My dwarf citrus go dormant and take a beating when the late summer comes. Here's my thought: if I can get bananas to grow among the citrus, they will get tall enough to shade the citrus before they too go dormant as temps approach triple digits.

Thanks to a trip to see HarveyC last autumn, I have two tall CA Golds and a Orinoco(?). They grew too tall for the greenhouse this spring and I had to transplant them before the high winds ended. They're a bit beat up, but seem to be enjoying themselves.

The M. Basjoo and Mekong Giants I planted from TC starts are just getting their sealegs. I'm hoping my wee experiment works because the cost was low for the starts and HarveyC provided three awesome 6-footers.

I plan on mulching well with wool left over from the sheep shearing when the cold weather arrives, but until then I am crossing fingers for the height, shade, and survival of the fittest.

I'll keep you all informed of my progress and look forward to any advice or opinions you have to share.

regards,
steve
[IMG][/IMG]

[IMG][/IMG]

Kostas

All these bananas will be fine in zone 9a,especially if you get a lot of heat during the growing period! Enjoy them!!!

I wish you fast fruiting!!!!

__________________
''To try,is to risk failure......To not try,is to guarantee it''

harveyc

Sorry I missed this post before...you've got room for lots more!

__________________