keeping Bananas warm.

lt_eggbeater · 10-13-2008, 06:09 PM

Any suggestions for keeping bananas warm? Its doesn't get artic cold here so I just need to give them a little help when the temps dip to the high 20's for a few hours every once in a while. I have used coleman gas lanterns before they throw off quite a bit of heat. But It's a real pain to pump up 40 lanterns and then repump and pressurise again at 3 am! I was thinking maybe tiki torches or something? Less heat but light once and they will burn the whole night. I am not sure how well the Christmas light deal works either. Any proven ideas are welcome.

JCDerrick · 10-13-2008, 06:21 PM

I've never tried it, but lots of folks recommend the Christmas lights. So that may be your best option.

lt_eggbeater · 10-13-2008, 07:26 PM

I guess that might save the stem but it wouldnt help the leaves I dont think. I think you have to use those old style lights also and not the smaller modern ones.

cedardave · 10-14-2008, 07:46 AM

I use a couple of infared patio heater to keep my bananas warm at this time of year. The heat radiates and warms a 10 by 9 foot area.

lt_eggbeater · 10-14-2008, 11:42 AM

That won't work for me I have them spread out over about an acre. I would need about 20 patio heaters!

pitangadiego · 10-14-2008, 01:24 PM

electric blanket?

lt_eggbeater · 10-14-2008, 01:27 PM

lol! any rain might be a big prob with that one!

JCDerrick · 10-14-2008, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lt_eggbeater

lol! any rain might be a big prob with that one!

Good way to keep stray dogs (or possibly anything alive) off your lawn though, LOL

lt_eggbeater · 10-14-2008, 01:49 PM

I already have the sniper tower for that one lol!

harveyc · 10-14-2008, 11:25 PM

If you don't have fussy neighbors and don't care what Al Gore thinks, you might be able to find some old used smudge pots. I was going to buy some last year for about $20 since growers generally don't use them anymore. You can just burn used motor oil (which my local car dealer gave me for free when I ran out), though I don't recommend inhaling the fumes!

Chironex · 10-14-2008, 11:38 PM

I'll be interested in the responses, too. Perhaps some black plastic on the ground under each would help slightly, especially if it was held in place by stones. The Christmas tree lights are the most practical, you're going to lose some leaves I imagine, but they will grow back as long as the pstem survives.

hydrojeff · 10-15-2008, 05:51 AM

i used the christmas lights last year are they seemed to help a little, but i dont think enough to do again this year...

tophersmith · 10-15-2008, 09:19 AM

Once FreezePruf is relased, (sometime next month) I beleive it will help quote a bit.

lt_eggbeater · 10-15-2008, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tophersmith

Once FreezePruf is relased, (sometime next month) I beleive it will help quote a bit.

Hopefully sooner than later the combination of temp drops and high winds are shredding the bananas here.

microfarmer · 10-16-2008, 01:41 PM

I'm with Chironex on the black plastic. If you want to keep the leaves, you'll have to keep the frost off them, and keep the plants warm enough to use the sunlight hitting the leaves (IE: growing slightly).

edd82 · 10-17-2008, 07:07 AM

Does anyone know of any UK suppliers selling FreezePruf?

harveyc · 10-17-2008, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edd82

Does anyone know of any UK suppliers selling FreezePruf?

It's not yet sold anywhere (it's supposed to be available in the U.S. in late fall) and I doubt it would be in the UK this year. Perhaps, if it becomes very popular here, it could find a distributor there.

harveyc · 10-17-2008, 11:11 AM

You might also find an idea or two here!
Frost protection: fundamentals, practice, and economics - Volume 1

bencelest · 10-20-2008, 08:51 AM

Harvey:
What happened to your plan buying the vent less natural gas heaters?
I just ordered one new and see what it will do me.
20k BTU. with built-in thermostat. Cost $129 plus shipping.
I am building an enclosed banana shed with all glass cover on top (installed already). 12foot high.

Benny

harveyc · 10-20-2008, 09:32 AM

Hi Benny, I did buy two of them and have one running in my greenhouse now. I paid about $120 for two, including shipping. One didn't run very well but then I cleaned the nozzle of build-up and it ran fine (the seller sent me a link to an online manual, fortunately).

It took me a while to figure out why I was having problems with it staying running, though. I discovered (and fortunately survived!) that I did not have enough fresh air coming in! So now I have that solved but I am going to work on trying to figure out how to hook up yet another heater that was given to me by a commercial grower. It would be mounted outside and has a blower so I could spread the heat around more evenly and not worry about the ventilation. Unfortunately, no manual came with it and I need to figure out how to wire it. I probably just need to go shopping for a heater some day and look for similar connections and guess from there.

10-13-2008, 06:09 PM	#1 (permalink)
lt_eggbeater Location: Mesa Arizona Find me on the map! Zone: 9b Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 171 BananaBucks : 41,006 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 3 Times Was Thanked 90 Times in 46 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2 Times	keeping Bananas warm. Any suggestions for keeping bananas warm? Its doesn't get artic cold here so I just need to give them a little help when the temps dip to the high 20's for a few hours every once in a while. I have used coleman gas lanterns before they throw off quite a bit of heat. But It's a real pain to pump up 40 lanterns and then repump and pressurise again at 3 am! I was thinking maybe tiki torches or something? Less heat but light once and they will burn the whole night. I am not sure how well the Christmas light deal works either. Any proven ideas are welcome.

10-13-2008, 06:21 PM	#2 (permalink)
JCDerrick KeoniKale JCDerrick's Photo Gallery Location: Lexington, SC Find me on the map! Zone: 8b Name: John Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 324 BananaBucks : 71,360 Feedback: 2 / 100% Said "Thanks" 68 Times Was Thanked 126 Times in 73 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 15 Times	Re: keeping Bananas warm. I've never tried it, but lots of folks recommend the Christmas lights. So that may be your best option. __________________ *Malama 'Aina* Normal Jan. Low: 34°F, Normal Jul High: 92°F Coldest: 16-20°F, Warmest: 98-103°F Annual Precip: 48 inches

10-13-2008, 07:26 PM	#3 (permalink)
lt_eggbeater Location: Mesa Arizona Find me on the map! Zone: 9b Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 171 BananaBucks : 41,006 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 3 Times Was Thanked 90 Times in 46 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2 Times	Re: keeping Bananas warm. I guess that might save the stem but it wouldnt help the leaves I dont think. I think you have to use those old style lights also and not the smaller modern ones.

10-14-2008, 07:46 AM	#4 (permalink)
cedardave Junior Member cedardave's Photo Gallery Find me on the map! Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 127 BananaBucks : 18,914 Feedback: 5 / 100% Said "Thanks" 0 Times Was Thanked 31 Times in 24 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 4 Times	Re: keeping Bananas warm. I use a couple of infared patio heater to keep my bananas warm at this time of year. The heat radiates and warms a 10 by 9 foot area.

10-14-2008, 11:42 AM	#5 (permalink)
lt_eggbeater Location: Mesa Arizona Find me on the map! Zone: 9b Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 171 BananaBucks : 41,006 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 3 Times Was Thanked 90 Times in 46 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2 Times	Re: keeping Bananas warm. That won't work for me I have them spread out over about an acre. I would need about 20 patio heaters!

Members currently in the chatroom: 0
	The most chatters online in one day was 17, 09-06-2009. No one is currently using the chat.

10-14-2008, 01:24 PM	#6 (permalink)
pitangadiego Senior Member Location: San Diego, CA Find me on the map! Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 1,481 BananaBucks : 129,629 Feedback: 9 / 100% Said "Thanks" 2 Times Was Thanked 2,707 Times in 923 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: keeping Bananas warm. electric blanket? __________________ Encanto Farms Nursery http://encantofarms.com We Be Bananas http://webebananas.com

10-14-2008, 01:27 PM	#7 (permalink)
lt_eggbeater Location: Mesa Arizona Find me on the map! Zone: 9b Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 171 BananaBucks : 41,006 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 3 Times Was Thanked 90 Times in 46 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2 Times	Re: keeping Bananas warm. lol! any rain might be a big prob with that one!

10-14-2008, 01:49 PM	#9 (permalink)
lt_eggbeater Location: Mesa Arizona Find me on the map! Zone: 9b Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 171 BananaBucks : 41,006 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 3 Times Was Thanked 90 Times in 46 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2 Times	Re: keeping Bananas warm. I already have the sniper tower for that one lol!

10-14-2008, 11:25 PM	#10 (permalink)
harveyc Been nuts, gone bananas harveyc's Photo Gallery Location: Isleton, Calif Find me on the map! Zone: 9b Name: Harvey Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 5,117 BananaBucks : 260,988 Feedback: 5 / 100% Said "Thanks" 6,024 Times Was Thanked 4,453 Times in 1,894 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1,785 Times	Re: keeping Bananas warm. If you don't have fussy neighbors and don't care what Al Gore thinks, you might be able to find some old used smudge pots. I was going to buy some last year for about $20 since growers generally don't use them anymore. You can just burn used motor oil (which my local car dealer gave me for free when I ran out), though I don't recommend inhaling the fumes! __________________

10-14-2008, 11:38 PM	#11 (permalink)
Chironex The causasian Asian! Chironex's Photo Gallery Location: Jakarta, Indonesia Find me on the map! Zone: I have no idea Name: Scot Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 2,788 BananaBucks : 118,439 Feedback: 9 / 100% Said "Thanks" 4,544 Times Was Thanked 1,406 Times in 808 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 609 Times	Re: keeping Bananas warm. I'll be interested in the responses, too. Perhaps some black plastic on the ground under each would help slightly, especially if it was held in place by stones. The Christmas tree lights are the most practical, you're going to lose some leaves I imagine, but they will grow back as long as the pstem survives. __________________ Scot

10-15-2008, 05:51 AM	#12 (permalink)
hydrojeff Bananacitus Location: orange city,FL Find me on the map! Zone: zone 9b Name: jeff Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 250 BananaBucks : 19,703 Feedback: 8 / 100% Said "Thanks" 85 Times Was Thanked 45 Times in 40 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 98 Times	Re: keeping Bananas warm. i used the christmas lights last year are they seemed to help a little, but i dont think enough to do again this year... __________________

10-15-2008, 09:19 AM	#13 (permalink)
tophersmith 4th Yr Subtropical Addict tophersmith's Photo Gallery Location: Cary, NC. Find me on the map! Zone: 7b Name: Chris Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 892 BananaBucks : 116,356 Feedback: 12 / 100% Said "Thanks" 169 Times Was Thanked 279 Times in 119 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1 Times	Re: keeping Bananas warm. Once FreezePruf is relased, (sometime next month) I beleive it will help quote a bit.

10-17-2008, 07:07 AM	#16 (permalink)
edd82 Find me on the map! Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 45 BananaBucks : 22,930 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 1 Times Was Thanked 10 Times in 7 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: keeping Bananas warm. Does anyone know of any UK suppliers selling FreezePruf? __________________ Packaging Shop - Bubble Wrap, Tape, Envelopes and general Packaging Supplies

10-17-2008, 11:11 AM	#18 (permalink)
harveyc Been nuts, gone bananas harveyc's Photo Gallery Location: Isleton, Calif Find me on the map! Zone: 9b Name: Harvey Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 5,117 BananaBucks : 260,988 Feedback: 5 / 100% Said "Thanks" 6,024 Times Was Thanked 4,453 Times in 1,894 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1,785 Times	Re: keeping Bananas warm. You might also find an idea or two here! Frost protection: fundamentals, practice, and economics - Volume 1 __________________

10-20-2008, 08:51 AM	#19 (permalink)
bencelest Banana Nut bencelest's Photo Gallery Location: California Zone 9 Zone: 9 Name: Benny Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 3,058 BananaBucks : 188,880 Feedback: 3 / 100% Said "Thanks" 15 Times Was Thanked 1,415 Times in 653 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: keeping Bananas warm. Harvey: What happened to your plan buying the vent less natural gas heaters? I just ordered one new and see what it will do me. 20k BTU. with built-in thermostat. Cost $129 plus shipping. I am building an enclosed banana shed with all glass cover on top (installed already). 12foot high. Benny __________________ Banana Nut

10-20-2008, 09:32 AM	#20 (permalink)
harveyc Been nuts, gone bananas harveyc's Photo Gallery Location: Isleton, Calif Find me on the map! Zone: 9b Name: Harvey Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 5,117 BananaBucks : 260,988 Feedback: 5 / 100% Said "Thanks" 6,024 Times Was Thanked 4,453 Times in 1,894 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1,785 Times	Re: keeping Bananas warm. Hi Benny, I did buy two of them and have one running in my greenhouse now. I paid about $120 for two, including shipping. One didn't run very well but then I cleaned the nozzle of build-up and it ran fine (the seller sent me a link to an online manual, fortunately). It took me a while to figure out why I was having problems with it staying running, though. I discovered (and fortunately survived!) that I did not have enough fresh air coming in! So now I have that solved but I am going to work on trying to figure out how to hook up yet another heater that was given to me by a commercial grower. It would be mounted outside and has a blower so I could spread the heat around more evenly and not worry about the ventilation. Unfortunately, no manual came with it and I need to figure out how to wire it. I probably just need to go shopping for a heater some day and look for similar connections and guess from there. __________________

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)