rhymechizel

We've had a few cool (45-50 degree nights and 65-75 degree days) and my bananas are slow growing. They have been out over a month and most of the small ones are still working on their first leaf.

My question is next year if I put my soil heat cables that turn on when the soil gets below 74 degrees in the soil around the banana plants if that might spead up the initial growth and give them a jump start.

thanks for reading-DAN

natedogg1026

I would guess that it might help a little but not really worth the money. Air temp is also a factor. Now using the cables for wintering purposes, yea. If you want to go to that extreme. ?. Are they potted or in ground. How were they wintered? Reason I ask is, I'm in 6 too and have wintered my nana's several different ways with different results. These thing do make a big difference on growth rate.

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Banana's are a safe addiction. Right?Maybe I need classes.

Velutina

Another option would be to make a small PVC/plastic greenhouse that can be easily assembled/stored. This would cover both air and soil temperature. Place it over the bananas when the temperature dips below 50F and use a lightbulb to heat it. My bananas in the past wouldn't REALLY start growing intil mid June, but were still able to top 6'. All mine this year are still on their first leaves too.... Just wait... Once this cold front passes I bet you'll see fast growth almost immediately.

The basjoo and zebrina I have in the greenhouse have really taken off in the last few weeks. The basjoo put out it's last leaf in about 4-5 days. The next one is already half out in 2 days. Night temps are around 55-60 but a bit colder the last few nights (~50). I think the 95% humidity and 90F highs may help too.

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Adam

Velutina

Also, the PVC greenhouse (if left on during the day) would really heat the soil up. So even without any active heating, you'll probably be 10-15 degrees warmer at night. This would easily add 30 quality days or more to your growing season.

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Adam

Richard

You might also be interested in the thread on Raised Beds, from which this drawing evolved ...

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Doodling along at tangentvectors.org

rhymechizel

natedogg- this is my first year with bananas so no overwintering yet, just overwintering ideas.

Adam- I have also thought about contructing a colapsable greenhouse; although it may be too late this year to make it worth it. Next year I have all kinds of stuff to try.

rhymechizel

Richard- thanks for the link, good info

wxman

Has anyone tried soil heating cables in the winter in lieu of mulching to keep the soil unfrozen?