TrailGaiter

I got my two little basjoos in March...and I've been just itching to plant them outside....but seems it's been colder, longer this year, we even had frost advisories just this week....irritating! I don't want to lose them, so I've been waiting.

Well, now here we are, towards the end of May, and the 7 day forecast shows the lowest lows at 44....do you think I'm safe to do so? Is the 40's ok for these guys at night? It's only two days, the rest are in the 50's, and up to 60 at night....with highs around 70-80 during the day. I've been putting them outside on nice, sunny days, to get them acclimated to being outside, I have the spot where I'd like to plant them, and unless I hear different, my plan was to create a mixture of store bought topsoil, existing soil, and composted horse manure (which I have PLENTY of) to plant them in. Or, I could use a miracle grow potting mix, or I've got peat moss here I could throw some of that in....doesn't matter to me, but I figured just the soil and the compost would be sufficient.

I really am very eager to get them outside, and hope to see them grow! They are spitting out new leaves constantly, however with every new leaf that unrolls, it seems I have to cut a lower one off, it dries up and dies. I'm assuming from being in the house. I have a photo I just took of them this evening I'm happy to put in.

It's been my dream to have a little bit of tropical in my yard...I just love tropical plants, and never thought I could enjoy them here at home. So you can imagine how thrilled I was when I learned about basjoos.

I am just hoping that the occasional temp in the 40's at night won't hurt them, or should I wait even longer yet?

Thanks in advance!
Angie

saltydad

Hi Angie. While I'm a bit further south and warmer than you, I'd shoot for planting the basjoos out. A mix of your soil and good organics should do it. Is the horse manure fresh? If so I wonder if it's too strong to use yet. But basjoos are tough naners, and mine have been in the ground now for 6+ years and are thriving and the mats are getting bigger each year. Therefore, be sure to site them well, so you don't have to touch them for years! Good Luck!

__________________
Men In Nursing- "A Few Good Men"

"Gardening is the purest of human pleasures." - Francis Bacon





"If by a liberal, they mean someone who looks ahead and not behind; someone who welcomes new ideas without rigid reactions; someone who cares about the welfare of the people, their health, their housing, their schools, their jobs, their civil rights, their civil liberties; someone who believes we can break through the stalemate and suspicion that grips us; that is what they meant by a liberal, I am proud to be a liberal."
John F. Kennedy, September, 1960


http://flickr.com/photos/saltydad/ and
http://community.webshots.com/user/saltydad
http://s751.photobucket.com/albums/xx151/saltydad/

TrailGaiter

No, it's composted manure.

Thanks for the input!

cheson74

Those temperatures are fine. Stick em in the ground and they'll be much happier

__________________

TrailGaiter

Thanks, both of you. I've been getting them used to the sunlight outdoors....and just waiting...not so patiently....so, I'll just DO it! Of course, it's raining this weekend, but I'll get them out!

Angie

kaczercat

They look very healthy !The temps in the 40's wont hurt them. as long as it's above 46. I know what you mean , we had a long wet cool spring over here too. now the temps are going up and the sun is out. yes plant them in the ground now or asap. only use bagged soils with lots of compost for best results gook luck and they will look great in a month.

__________________
Matt

CAButtars

I'm wondering the same thing pretty much but I'd like to double check with y'all. I have a Basjoo that has been inside for a couple months not growing much. I started putting it outside on nice days a couple weeks ago and it's doing much better. With the forecast for my area, do you think it'd be a good idea to go ahead and plant it now? I put down a thick layer of miracle-gro moisture control garden soil and I have some brown mulch to put down on top, so the area is pretty much ready to plant.

TrailGaiter

From what I've read...not that I'm an expert, I'm NOT, but I have been doing a lot of research...I've read several places to stay away from the "moisture control" potting soils. For what it's worth! Perhaps you could look into it yourself. Your weather is looking somewhat similar to mine (except you've got more 40's, and a few lower 40's than I do)...and I've been told I should go ahead. I think there's a point they stop growing, and then a lower point where they die. I'm thinking the lower 40's is where they'd just stop growing....but I think that would have to be for an extended period of time, not just at night? Not sure....this is my first time with anything I couldn't just throw in the ground and forget about!

I like your planting area with the rocks around it!
Angie

cheson74

Just remember, the soil temperature is actually different than the air temperature. It appears all dangers of frost is over for both of you. Even if you had a light frost, it still won't die. You might get some leaf burn but the Basjoo will just take off as it warms up.

Mine were left in the ground and started coming up mid April. They survived with just much for the winter. Even when temps hit 38 - low 40s for several days in a row, there wasn't any damage done to them. All 5 are around 2.5 - 3 feet of pstem now.

__________________

AmberNichole

I am trying to remember, but i believe the basjoos i have started growing here when it got to about 45 at night and 60+ during the day. Even though i am pretty far south, it was in the 20s during the winter and they only lost some leaves and perked right back up when it got warmer. The basjoos seemed to start growing at the same time and temperatures as all my bananas, minus the siam rubies. I also believe the larger the bananas the better they are able to deal with cold spells, I know all my larger ones (6'+) would do absolutely fine with temperatures in the high 30s and warm days and also still show growth. The little ones would not grow though.

__________________