Overwinter success.....now what?

scarll · 04-09-2017, 03:58 PM

I cut my pot grown banana down as far as I could last Fall, approximately two inches from the top of the soil. I let it dry out for two weeks and then moved it into my friend's root cellar. When I picked it up today it already has a 6 inch shoot coming from the center. I am wondering if I should repot and bury the old stem so the top is level with the soil in the pot. Unfortunately, I do not know the variety as I no longer have the tag. It grew quite tall over the summer and had very large (3-4 foot) leaves. The leaves were green on top and red on the bottom. It was beautiful and I am so excited it made it through the winter.

edwmax · 04-09-2017, 06:13 PM

No ... Put it in the pot at the same level it was before.

Tytaylor77 · 04-09-2017, 11:36 PM

I agree with edwmax same level in pot. Or same level into the ground. If your gonna dig it out of the pot to store it over winter you may as well be planting/digging out of the ground. They love the ground and will really grow like crazy.

scarll · 04-10-2017, 06:04 AM

Thanks for the advise. I guess I was a little vague. I did not take it out of the pot to store. I left it in the pot it was growing in and let it dry out by putting it on a covered porch and not watering. It was still moist when it went in the root cellar, but was not watered all Winter. I may try planting it in the ground this year and get another for my deck. I will leave it at the same level it is in the pot.

a.hulva@coxinet.net · 04-11-2017, 11:40 PM

Sounds like a Zabrina

Tytaylor77 · 04-12-2017, 12:29 AM

Yes zebrina is very popular and would be the top of my guess list. Others could be Mysore. Or bordelon. Or sikkimentis. Or Helens Hrbrid. It could even be entente Maurelii, the false banana. Which isn't even a banana. They are beautiful plants though.

Pictures would help, if you took any last year before winter.

Was it an edible variety? Where did you get it?

scarll · 04-12-2017, 05:57 AM

I found the tag, it is a Maurelli. I bought it at a local greenhouse. They are carrying more varieties this year due to the popularity of that one. I am going to try the hardy (for zone 5) Musa Basjoo in my yard this year and see how that works out. I don't have a lot of sun, but might have a spot it will like. Will give it a shot. I can't figure out how to download pictures to this site, so no pictures. When I purchased the Maurelli it was about 2-3 feet tall. By the end of summer it was over 7 feet. Very impressive!!

Tytaylor77 · 04-12-2017, 03:19 PM

Awesome! I'm glad you found what it was.. Yes get a basjoo, it would be the best plant for your zone.. if you cut it low and mulch it really good just before winter it should grow back every year! Just search around on here or ask questions later in the year and I am sure there is someone near you who share their method!

cincinnana · 04-12-2017, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scarll

I found the tag, it is a Maurelli. I bought it at a local greenhouse. They are carrying more varieties this year due to the popularity of that one. I am going to try the hardy (for zone 5) Musa Basjoo in my yard this year and see how that works out. I don't have a lot of sun, but might have a spot it will like. Will give it a shot. I can't figure out how to download pictures to this site, so no pictures. When I purchased the Maurelli it was about 2-3 feet tall. By the end of summer it was over 7 feet. Very impressive!!

Your plant will be an awesome beast......it just ain't there yet.
Your going to need a bigger boat!!!
This members pics( the link) are a sneak peek of how large your plant will get.
I have no idea how he does it so well, all the plants in his yard are awesome.

. Around the yard 2015

a.hulva@coxinet.net · 04-13-2017, 10:03 AM

That is the biggest Maurelii I have ever seen. Monster! How did it survive the winter?

scarll · 04-13-2017, 11:35 AM

It was a biggie, I did need a bigger pot, but then I wouldn't have been able to move it. I cut in down in the Fall to about 2 inches above the soil line. I moved it to a screen porch to dry out for a couple of weeks, and then I put it in my friend's root cellar, under her house. It was not watered during that time, was in total darkness, and no heat. When I took it out it already had a six inch shoot coming up. Obviously liked it's winter vacation.

Tytaylor77 · 04-13-2017, 04:22 PM

Ensete should store dry over winter fine. I have read they can go dormant and live upto 8 years without a drop of water!!!. Then when the rains come its roots fly out and he keeps growing until some hungry African digs him up and eats his corm!!

a.hulva@coxinet.net · 04-13-2017, 05:05 PM

I tried overwintering mine in the ground covered etc. Outside looked good, center sucked. Mush. I cut down and planted the roots/corm just for the he'll of it. Probably toast.

scarll · 04-14-2017, 06:05 AM

What variety was it Al? Let us know if it comes back. I once talked to a lady in zone 5 in New Jersey who had banana plants around her pool for privacy. She cut them down, mulched them with straw and leafs and they came back every year. That's what gave me the bug to try it.

a.hulva@coxinet.net · 04-14-2017, 09:09 AM

It was a Maurelii for sure. It was going on four this year.

Tytaylor77 · 04-14-2017, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scarll

What variety was it Al? Let us know if it comes back. I once talked to a lady in zone 5 in New Jersey who had banana plants around her pool for privacy. She cut them down, mulched them with straw and leafs and they came back every year. That's what gave me the bug to try it.

The lady you talked to and the bananas you see up north growing tall every year are musa basjoo. They are the most cold hardy of any banana. Mulch them deep and they return easily in the spring.

04-09-2017, 03:58 PM	#1 (permalink)
scarll Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 16 BananaBucks : 7,627 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 2 Times Was Thanked 13 Times in 9 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1 Times	Overwinter success.....now what? I cut my pot grown banana down as far as I could last Fall, approximately two inches from the top of the soil. I let it dry out for two weeks and then moved it into my friend's root cellar. When I picked it up today it already has a 6 inch shoot coming from the center. I am wondering if I should repot and bury the old stem so the top is level with the soil in the pot. Unfortunately, I do not know the variety as I no longer have the tag. It grew quite tall over the summer and had very large (3-4 foot) leaves. The leaves were green on top and red on the bottom. It was beautiful and I am so excited it made it through the winter.

04-09-2017, 06:13 PM	#2 (permalink)
edwmax Location: Cairo, Ga Find me on the map! Zone: 8b Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 2,891 BananaBucks : 88,760 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 1,741 Times Was Thanked 4,440 Times in 2,095 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 414 Times	Re: Overwinter success.....now what? No ... Put it in the pot at the same level it was before. __________________

04-09-2017, 11:36 PM	#3 (permalink)
Tytaylor77 Banana Plants for Trade Location: East Texas Find me on the map! Zone: 8b Name: Ty Join Date: Jun 2015 Posts: 1,367 BananaBucks : 47,722 Feedback: 11 / 100% Said "Thanks" 4,612 Times Was Thanked 3,726 Times in 1,185 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 424 Times	Re: Overwinter success.....now what? I agree with edwmax same level in pot. Or same level into the ground. If your gonna dig it out of the pot to store it over winter you may as well be planting/digging out of the ground. They love the ground and will really grow like crazy. __________________ 150+ Varieties!!. See profile for list. Help me add more! CLICK HERE TO SEE PICTURES OF MY MUSA COLLECTION! www.bananapups.com

04-10-2017, 06:04 AM	#4 (permalink)
scarll Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 16 BananaBucks : 7,627 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 2 Times Was Thanked 13 Times in 9 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1 Times	Re: Overwinter success.....now what? Thanks for the advise. I guess I was a little vague. I did not take it out of the pot to store. I left it in the pot it was growing in and let it dry out by putting it on a covered porch and not watering. It was still moist when it went in the root cellar, but was not watered all Winter. I may try planting it in the ground this year and get another for my deck. I will leave it at the same level it is in the pot.

04-11-2017, 11:40 PM	#5 (permalink)
a.hulva@coxinet.net Location: Edmond, OK Zone: 73034 Name: Al Join Date: Oct 2014 Posts: 456 BananaBucks : 48,322 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 3,695 Times Was Thanked 779 Times in 317 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 437 Times	Re: Overwinter success.....now what? Sounds like a Zabrina

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04-12-2017, 12:29 AM	#6 (permalink)
Tytaylor77 Banana Plants for Trade Location: East Texas Find me on the map! Zone: 8b Name: Ty Join Date: Jun 2015 Posts: 1,367 BananaBucks : 47,722 Feedback: 11 / 100% Said "Thanks" 4,612 Times Was Thanked 3,726 Times in 1,185 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 424 Times	Re: Overwinter success.....now what? Yes zebrina is very popular and would be the top of my guess list. Others could be Mysore. Or bordelon. Or sikkimentis. Or Helens Hrbrid. It could even be entente Maurelii, the false banana. Which isn't even a banana. They are beautiful plants though. Pictures would help, if you took any last year before winter. Was it an edible variety? Where did you get it? __________________ 150+ Varieties!!. See profile for list. Help me add more! CLICK HERE TO SEE PICTURES OF MY MUSA COLLECTION! www.bananapups.com Last edited by Tytaylor77 : 04-12-2017 at 12:33 AM.

04-12-2017, 05:57 AM	#7 (permalink)
scarll Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 16 BananaBucks : 7,627 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 2 Times Was Thanked 13 Times in 9 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1 Times	Re: Overwinter success.....now what? I found the tag, it is a Maurelli. I bought it at a local greenhouse. They are carrying more varieties this year due to the popularity of that one. I am going to try the hardy (for zone 5) Musa Basjoo in my yard this year and see how that works out. I don't have a lot of sun, but might have a spot it will like. Will give it a shot. I can't figure out how to download pictures to this site, so no pictures. When I purchased the Maurelli it was about 2-3 feet tall. By the end of summer it was over 7 feet. Very impressive!!

04-12-2017, 03:19 PM	#8 (permalink)
Tytaylor77 Banana Plants for Trade Location: East Texas Find me on the map! Zone: 8b Name: Ty Join Date: Jun 2015 Posts: 1,367 BananaBucks : 47,722 Feedback: 11 / 100% Said "Thanks" 4,612 Times Was Thanked 3,726 Times in 1,185 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 424 Times	Re: Overwinter success.....now what? Awesome! I'm glad you found what it was.. Yes get a basjoo, it would be the best plant for your zone.. if you cut it low and mulch it really good just before winter it should grow back every year! Just search around on here or ask questions later in the year and I am sure there is someone near you who share their method! __________________ 150+ Varieties!!. See profile for list. Help me add more! CLICK HERE TO SEE PICTURES OF MY MUSA COLLECTION! www.bananapups.com

04-13-2017, 10:03 AM	#10 (permalink)
a.hulva@coxinet.net Location: Edmond, OK Zone: 73034 Name: Al Join Date: Oct 2014 Posts: 456 BananaBucks : 48,322 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 3,695 Times Was Thanked 779 Times in 317 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 437 Times	Re: Overwinter success.....now what? That is the biggest Maurelii I have ever seen. Monster! How did it survive the winter?

04-13-2017, 11:35 AM	#11 (permalink)
scarll Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 16 BananaBucks : 7,627 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 2 Times Was Thanked 13 Times in 9 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1 Times	Re: Overwinter success.....now what? It was a biggie, I did need a bigger pot, but then I wouldn't have been able to move it. I cut in down in the Fall to about 2 inches above the soil line. I moved it to a screen porch to dry out for a couple of weeks, and then I put it in my friend's root cellar, under her house. It was not watered during that time, was in total darkness, and no heat. When I took it out it already had a six inch shoot coming up. Obviously liked it's winter vacation.

04-13-2017, 04:22 PM	#12 (permalink)
Tytaylor77 Banana Plants for Trade Location: East Texas Find me on the map! Zone: 8b Name: Ty Join Date: Jun 2015 Posts: 1,367 BananaBucks : 47,722 Feedback: 11 / 100% Said "Thanks" 4,612 Times Was Thanked 3,726 Times in 1,185 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 424 Times	Re: Overwinter success.....now what? Ensete should store dry over winter fine. I have read they can go dormant and live upto 8 years without a drop of water!!!. Then when the rains come its roots fly out and he keeps growing until some hungry African digs him up and eats his corm!! __________________ 150+ Varieties!!. See profile for list. Help me add more! CLICK HERE TO SEE PICTURES OF MY MUSA COLLECTION! www.bananapups.com

04-13-2017, 05:05 PM	#13 (permalink)
a.hulva@coxinet.net Location: Edmond, OK Zone: 73034 Name: Al Join Date: Oct 2014 Posts: 456 BananaBucks : 48,322 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 3,695 Times Was Thanked 779 Times in 317 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 437 Times	Re: Overwinter success.....now what? I tried overwintering mine in the ground covered etc. Outside looked good, center sucked. Mush. I cut down and planted the roots/corm just for the he'll of it. Probably toast.

04-14-2017, 06:05 AM	#14 (permalink)
scarll Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 16 BananaBucks : 7,627 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 2 Times Was Thanked 13 Times in 9 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1 Times	Re: Overwinter success.....now what? What variety was it Al? Let us know if it comes back. I once talked to a lady in zone 5 in New Jersey who had banana plants around her pool for privacy. She cut them down, mulched them with straw and leafs and they came back every year. That's what gave me the bug to try it.

04-14-2017, 09:09 AM	#15 (permalink)
a.hulva@coxinet.net Location: Edmond, OK Zone: 73034 Name: Al Join Date: Oct 2014 Posts: 456 BananaBucks : 48,322 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 3,695 Times Was Thanked 779 Times in 317 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 437 Times	Re: Overwinter success.....now what? It was a Maurelii for sure. It was going on four this year.

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