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Main Banana Discussion This is where we discuss our banana collections; tips on growing bananas, tips on harvesting bananas, sharing our banana photos and stories.


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Old 07-28-2008, 08:54 AM   #21 (permalink)
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Default Re: Overwintering

My personal experience was this:
I bought a matured flowering California gold around September 2 years ago. I transplanted it to the ground right away and When Winter came I wrapped the trunk, and part of the leaves with burlap and then put the mini (clear) Christmas lights around the trunk, part of the leaves and spread the lights around the ground . After that, I wrapped them with clear plastic to keep them dry. I put the C lights on a timer to be auto turn at night.
When Spring came and when I opened my treasure, anything that was wrapped with burlap and C lights were green including the fruit and the much lesser leaf around 1 foot square.
Any leaves outside the wrapped turned brown and burnt.
Needless to say I was able to harvest the fruit but it took so long because of the much lesser leaf that was left and someone told me that the greens from the P-stem would be enough to sustain nutrients for the fruit to grow.
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Old 07-28-2008, 11:55 AM   #22 (permalink)
 
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Default Re: Overwintering

Thanks Bencelest for the great info and clearing some things up but by C lights you mean the mini christmas lites, not the C-9 correct?

How cold does your weather get that you have to wrap trees in California?
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Old 07-28-2008, 03:27 PM   #23 (permalink)
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Default Re: Overwintering

Buzz:
That is correct. I believe that the C-9 will be too hot for the bananas when used in enclosed space. I think 100 Christmas lights per plug and at $1.75 ea when on sale after Christmas. You'll be surprise how warm they get in enclosed space. I always used them with my newly planted small citrus plants. We have many nights of 40 to 45 degrees in my area and sometimes dip to 34 degrees 4 to 5 times a year.
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Old 07-28-2008, 04:22 PM   #24 (permalink)
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Default Re: Overwintering

I think Benny's got it pretty well nailed. I remember that we used to call the C9 bulbs, "outdoor lights", (the slightly smaller C7's were, "indoor".) And if you grabbed one when lit, you could burn your fingers. Even the minis get pretty hot, However, as I said, make sure you don't get the LED ones that have been around for the last couple of years. They're the same as the little lights on the computer, charger, etc., and give off virtually no heat.
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Old 07-28-2008, 05:18 PM   #25 (permalink)
 
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Default Re: Overwintering

Quote:
Originally Posted by bencelest View Post
My personal experience was this:
I bought a matured flowering California gold around September 2 years ago. I transplanted it to the ground right away and When Winter came I wrapped the trunk, and part of the leaves with burlap and then put the mini (clear) Christmas lights around the trunk, part of the leaves and spread the lights around the ground . After that, I wrapped them with clear plastic to keep them dry. I put the C lights on a timer to be auto turn at night.
When Spring came and when I opened my treasure, anything that was wrapped with burlap and C lights were green including the fruit and the much lesser leaf around 1 foot square.
Any leaves outside the wrapped turned brown and burnt.
Needless to say I was able to harvest the fruit but it took so long because of the much lesser leaf that was left and someone told me that the greens from the P-stem would be enough to sustain nutrients for the fruit to grow.

So you put the C lights under the burlap right? I'm assuming I could use a white frost blanket as well? Is the plastic wrap make a lot of difference?
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Old 07-28-2008, 11:24 PM   #26 (permalink)
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Default Re: Overwintering

Enigma:
I was just experimenting at that time and it was my first time I got "hooked" on bananas.
I put the C lights over the burlap.
I first wrap the P-stem with burlap then I wrapped the Christmas lights over and over the P-stem and thinking that we would have a lot of rain coming I protect the Christmas lights with clear plastics and to hold everything together I tied them with strings.To give warmth to the soil I spread Christmas lights at the base of the trunk and cover them with black plastics. It worked.
I am sure frost blanket will work better than burlap.
But this winter I am thinking to use the insulating material that one uses inside the house walls.
I may not need to use C lights after all.
Yes, John is right. Don't use the LED lights because they don't heat up. On minis you can feel the warmth when you put your hand close on a string of those minis.
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Old 07-29-2008, 01:59 AM   #27 (permalink)
 
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Default Re: Overwintering

I ordered a 6' X 100' roll from American Nettings & Fabric Inc. Crop cover, Frost Blanket & Overwintering products. today. $28.. not bad. (link wasn't working so I just called them)

I am planning on taking some twine and bring them together in an upright fashion. Then take xmas lights and circle around the banana, and finally wrap it up with frost covers from top to bottom. I think it will work
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Old 07-29-2008, 05:28 AM   #28 (permalink)
 
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Smile Re: Overwintering

Quote:
Originally Posted by enigma99a View Post
My wife would kill me if I tried that haha
I've suggested it to my girlfriend and she pretty much said the same thing
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Old 07-29-2008, 05:57 AM   #29 (permalink)
 
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Default Re: Overwintering

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Originally Posted by edd82 View Post
I've suggested it to my girlfriend and she pretty much said the same thing
haha. What about kick the cars out of the garage, put down 2 ft of dirt, install a couple skylights and lights and make it a greenhouse! Would she go for that?
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Old 07-29-2008, 07:05 AM   #30 (permalink)
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Default Re: Overwintering

Enigma:
That's a very good plan!
Better than my plan.
At that time, I just used what was on hand because of the frost prediction that night.
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Old 08-20-2008, 06:35 AM   #31 (permalink)
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Default Re: Overwintering

Can any tell me how cold would my basement have to be
to overwinter my trees. I had them down there last year
they did great. But they had drafty windows. I am getting
new ones installed . I turn off the heater down there,
but don't know if it will be cold enough.Please let me know
maybe I will have to leave a window open.But I don't what
to do that either , my laundry room is also down there.
Buy the way it is a finished basement, so it's not that cold
around 60 - 65. Thanks for any info.Paula
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