Need advice
 

I planted an Orinoco start this past spring. The start was approx. 12" tall and now it is over 8 ft. with a 5' trunk. No sign of any blossoms yet.I would like to know what I should do with it this fall? i.e. cut it back and protect the corm system from frost? Leave it as is and protect the corm system? I have some ornamental banana trees and I simply cut them down to within approx. 10" from the ground then I pile its brown leaves plus some wood chips around the corm system for the winter. Next year it comes back to the usual 8'-10' height with lots of tiny bananas. This is my first attempt to grow edible bananas with the Orinoco. I live near Myrtle Beach, SC and while our winters are mild....we do get some freezing temperatures. Any guidance would be appreciated.

Re: Need advice
 

I had 3 Orinocos make it thru last winter--3 cold spells in the mid 20s. 2 were wrapped with several layers of landscape cloth, one was only protected by a tree canopy. 2 have bloomed, one more is about to.

Re: Need advice
 

Mulch them good in the next few weeks and just let them go through a normal cycle.

Re: Need advice
 

Best advice ever. The leaves will be the first thing to go. When they do, just cut them off if they look ratty and it bothers you. Leave the pstems alone, new growth will emerge from the tops in the spring. The garden editor for our paper here recommends filling big plastic garbage bags with leaves and stacking them around the trunks in the fall. The heat generated from the rotting leaves helps keep things warm. I have no doubts it works, just haven't ever thought it necessary here in Mobile.

Russell

Re: Need advice
 

Russel: Growing banana trees is a totally foreign concept for me. Your advice is greatly appreciated. I will do as you suggested.