Originally Posted by crazy banana (Post 202771)

I think you have just answered your own question: DB it is.Saba gets really tall....and takes a long I

It seems that you have just answered your own question. I guess DB it is. Saba will get really tall, so winter protection might be more difficult. Even though I live in a nice climate zone, I do get frost a few hrs a few nights in the winter. I had damage to other tropical plants. It will be challenging to protect my banana plants this winter, so right now the question is buying the frost cloth first or buying a loooonnnnnngggg ladder to get to the top of my plants to cover them down from the top. Good luck to you.

Originally Posted by sunfish (Post 202777)

I have never protected my banana plants and I believe your in a warmer location than me. The only winter problems I've had is the wet clay soil never any frost damage.

Originally Posted by crazy banana (Post 202779)

Thanks Tony,

that is what it should be near the coast, but I have a canyon behind the house that pulls in the ice cold air. Lost my Angel Trumpet Trees and my Plumeria last winter. Had to scrape ice of my car windshield several mornings. Lowest temperature measured at my house last winter was 27 F, of course only for a few hours at night, but still...I am not sure on how to protect my banana plants during these short hours of frost but will have to some degree. Armstrong Garden Center recommended some kind of spray, but I am not sure about that stuff.

Originally Posted by nph (Post 202764)

1) what is the fastest grower, DB or Saba (my take so far is DB)

Originally Posted by nph (Post 202840)

I was thinking straight growth, feet/year.

Your comment on Saba being faster was what I expected but my Saba that survived the winter outdoors has grown nicely but has not had more growth than the Dwarf Brazilian I planted in early spring as a pup.

Could it be the soil (different part of the yard) since I had really expected the Saba to outgrow the DB based on its planned height.