A method for overwintering bananas
 

This is the way what I have done for overwintering potted bananas for this
winter. Those potts were settled under the eaves to avoid frosts.

Re: A method for overwintering bananas
 

Very nice. Here is my way. (first time trying it this way) Red

Re: A method for overwintering bananas
 

Hello Asacomm,

It doesn't seem like you've tryed this method for the first time. How much frost can the stem take protected by this method?

My in full ground M. Sikkimensis doesn't overwinter in a heap of hey, straw, dried leaves like the other picture. It' s getting wet from downunder (high waterlevels in winter I guesse). The years I did this, the stems had inner-rot all the way down. I guesse it's a lack of breathabillity in combination with cold-wet.
Does your method dry up easyly after rainy periods? Do the protected stems lose lots of outer layers by spring? Do you remove the protection on mild periods in winter? I know, lots of questons :-) but it really looks like a practical and quick way of overwintering high stems!

For the moment I use a tipi-inspired mini-greenhouse myself. The height of the stems I cut at 1.80 m. On freezing nights I use some christmaslights for heating just above freezingpoint. It works well, but with a 3,5 m. stem at the end of the growingyear mu M. Sikkimensis just doesn't want to flower.
It would be great to find a method to overwinter taller stems.

Greetings,

Gunther, Brussels, Belgium

Re: A method for overwintering bananas
 

"I guesse it's a lack of breathabillity in combination with cold-wet."
I am planning to wrap the pstem first with newspaper or something and then clear plastic. Will that going to hamper my protection?
Please anybody respond.
I don't have any access with dried leaves or pine straw or whatever.

Re: A method for overwintering bananas
 

Bon jour, Panorama, et merci pour ton reponse.
My method will only be good when it is adopted somewhere in around zone 9
and under the eaves where no frost comes in and good sunshine is available
in the day time. So this method is not good enough outside in the ground.
As the breathability the dryness from rain is good, you also my use this way
even in the ground in your zone if you increase the rolls of the mats of
vegetable materials.

Hi Bencelest,
I fear plasic material would hamper breathability of the stem, so I have so far
never used it.

Re: A method for overwintering bananas
 

Late respons, lots of stuff going on, merci bien pour l'info, but I'll stay with the tipi construction for now.
The winters overhere tend to be wet and windy. Now, its freezing -5 C, and the the daytemps; 3 C. The ground is pretty soaked also.

I like the high stems on the picture though, esthetical too.
I'll try to send a representation of the tipi-esthetics. :-)

Re: A method for overwintering bananas
 

I am leaning towards the tipi form to protect my plants. Old habits can't change easily though. I'll think of it next time.
I believe plastics can be used to protect your plants as long as it does not TOUCH the plant. At least that's my thought. I would use the pine straws or dried leaves but they are not available to me. I even thought of using newspaper but it is laborious to tape them around the trunk so I use my own method and see what happens.
Here's a sample of what I did. It's a makeshift-in-a hurry-kind of job when the low prediction was 27*F.



and it worked though.
the buds and the leaves of my bananas are still green and no frostbite.

Re: A method for overwintering bananas
 

Subject - Enstete vetricosum 'Maurellii'

Problem - Too heavy to dig up without breaking my back.

Solution - Build an insulated plywood enclosure (covered in 6 mil poly to shed rain) after cutting back the banana to just a stump. I have a string of 25 old incandescent type xmas bulbs. Only 3 of them are lit on cold nights to heat the enclose to about 53f. I'm also buliding a clear poly cover for milder weather with regular venting. So far it's been a success and has pushed about an inch of new growth. Coldest one night so far, 27.5f (-2.5c).

Re: A method for overwintering bananas
 

Las Palmas:
Yours is much better than mine because you put insulation around and no chills will come in and in addition, you put a bulb inside.
As for me, I'd just leave the plastics there until all frost are gone until spring time.

Re: A method for overwintering bananas
 

Well Benny,
You have the added advantage to being in zone 9 where I'm in zone 8b. I need the extra winter protection for this Ensete. I assume your tee-pee style enclosure is secure enough for wind?

Cheers, Barrie.

Re: A method for overwintering bananas
 

Ah....Las Palmas.....
I am lucky enough not to worry about the wind.
The strong wind is being blocked by a 6 foot fence and 2-story houses around me and beyond.