greenfumb

I have a Gros Michell in a 5 gallon bucket with drain holes in the bottom of the bucket. I bought a corm and potted it then set it outside to grow in April here in zone 8A.
The night time temps were 60's most of the time, the lowest temps were mostly mid 50's I believe we hit 49 for a few hours one night, but it was up against a southern brick wall that should radiate some heat. It just shriveled up and the top of the corm dried out. I thought it was dead so I brought it indoors and put it in my small plant nursery area mostly to store the bucket. It started looking so dead I started calling it Ugly Michell, as opposed to Gross Michell. I thought that the night time temps were just too low and that I had killed it, LOL. It sat there for two weeks and on May 3rd I saw green growth. Now it is May 17th and it has 4 leafs and is popping out a 5th leaf, and is about 18 inches tall. It is growing at a phenomenal rate and is text book perfect.

Now here most nights are mid 60's 70's is common. One night coming up is predicted to reach 59, but we are at the time of year where nights will all be in the 80's soon. I want to acclimate it to outside temps and light. I recently set out some really beautiful Dwarf cavendish, and Dwarf Orinico bananas and the sun burned them a bit so they are in the shade recovering. They were so nice, the sun really torched them damaging about 30% of the leafs.

Are the night temps here still too low for the Gross Michell, and what is a good way to acclimate them to the sunlight without damage.

edwmax

I think the GM needs temp above 65 deg F. So bring the potted GM inside if night time temps are going below 65 deg. To acclimate the plant to the outside, set it in the shaded area for a couple of days. Then partially shade & morning sun for a day or two.

I have one GM left in my small patch. 3 larger corms in another patch didn't make it through the winter. The GM was the last banana plant to break ground late this spring and is slow growing. This I do tribute to low night time temps of low 60's & upper 50's. ... My day time & night time temp changes as much as 30 degs which I don't thing is good for most growing banana plants.

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cincinnana

Go ahead and keep them outside....your temps are fine for that plant.

If you go by average temperature you can better calculate the "Sweet spot" for the plant.
In zone 5/6 my minimum temperature for my plants is 36 degrees for all plants. All my Musa have been outside in ground and in containers since Easter.

My average current temp is 45-60...not good for tropicals but it will work.
At the moment the best thriving plants I have are Musa Basjoo and Bordelon and a few confederate white and green plants.

Is my /your plant currently in the sweet spot......NO, but it still in the spot to make it grow.


Acclimate your plant just like you would any other plant... introduce it slowly to full sun.

Sounds like you have an awesome plant ......grow it like you stole it.

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