ImperialExotics

While it is still a few months away yet, how do bananas fare with Santa Ana winds?

I have far too many to bring indoors, and no 'safe zones' to protect them with.

momoese

Here in West LA I have lost several tall plants over the years to the Santa Ana winds, broken in half like toothpicks. Check my gallery for Red Jamaicans and you'll see the damage.

pitangadiego

Depends on how strong your winds are and what you are growing. After a certain speed, it probably doesn't matter. The thicker trunks might lose all their leaves, with the trunks staying intact. Skinny ones are toast.

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ImperialExotics

I had a feeling I was toast. Oh well........

fun while it lasted.

venturabananas

I think Jon (pitangadiego) has had some (Misi Luki, for example) that have handled some pretty ridiculous winds, so don't give up hope. Some cultivars are better than others in the wind. That's part of why commercial growers went to shorter Cavendish types.

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ImperialExotics

Where I live I had fears of seeing my greenhouse take off like the farmhouse in Wizard of Oz and fly past me as I'm driving the boys to school.

The winds are furious for several weeks in the fall here.

I'm already looking for ways to shield them, but I have over a thousand plants to cover and that worries me. I have no idea how big they will be by September, but I'm worried. Currently looking at clearing out my garage and installing grow lights to house them inside.

Wind shields based on using shade cloth to block wind near the sides of the house etc.

Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

thanks.

momoese

Grow short plants, that's the only for sure thing you can do. Tall plants can handle high winds if the winds are steady and the leaves shred, but if you get huge sudden gusts like we do here just about any tall banana is going to have a hard time standing up to them
.

ImperialExotics

same winds you get...I'm in Yorba Linda.

Kostas

Try growing some trees and bamboo at the sides of your property where most and the strongest winds come. Bamboo is an excellent wind shield and trees can be as well if suitable species are chosen.

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sunfish

I have most of my tall bananas staked and tied. 12' lodge poles . If your plants are potted which they must be if you can move them,drive concrete stakes or rebar through dow through the pot into the ground.Or drive a couple stakes o the outside of the contaiers and tie with rope.