sudden move to new climate
 

Hey all,


OK here's what happening. After my bananas are starting to grow well and I've learned so much both the hard way, and from you guys...I suddenly, for work reasons, am moving from Phoenix, AZ to the Western WA area where there is tons of rain and the only good weather months are August and Sept, I think it's zone 8.
Anyway, I have tons of plants. Since it's sudden and I don't have too much room to take a lot, I'm gonna put a lot in storage, but obviously not the plants. All the bedding plants I of course will leave here. Same with others. Here's my dilemma, I can't leave my bananas!!!!!
I have a three foot ensete, a dwarf cavendish with 15 leaves that's grown great. I have another that is 2 foot tall and it's growing good. I have three TC plants that are taking off but are small (the pseudostem is slowly getting large in diameter), and I have two 1 foot double mahoi.
Ok, largely those ones above are not hardy in WA although this is summer and they will be fine before I have to overwinter them come fall/winter.
My question is, if you're still reading, how do I bring them? The small TCs, I can bring them in their little pots. What about the medium sized bananas. I really don't have room for their pots. Should I pull them out of their pots, put wet newspaper around the root ball and just bring them that way? Should I chop the PS down to really low (that will be painful, for me, not them)? How should they go? The trip will be three days on the road. I also have two heliconias that are gonna bloom this summer and I really don't have room for them as the root ball is like 1.5 ft x 1.5 ft. It's so painful. Tropicals are like my new hobbie and just when I'm getting more confident, I have to up and leave.
Please if any of you great people have any advice, please let me know...the move out will likely be middle to end of June.
Thanks.

Zach aka Banana Novato

(oh and the cannas....EE...:/):0493:

Re: sudden move to new climate
 

The good news is that Chong lives nearby!

Re: sudden move to new climate
 

Hi Zach

I'm up here on the rainy coast of British Columbia. I believe the climate here is similar to WA. While our weather isn't as sunny and warm as Phoenix there are still a few months of good growing weather. Springs are cool and damp but June July August and Sept can be good. Some years we can get some really hot weather. Others not so much.

I'm growing Basjoo, ensete maurelli, EE's, Cannas, etc. So don't be too sad. There are lots of other tropicalesque plants that you'll be able to grow in WA. There may be some new techniques to learn in regards to wintering and storing too. I've learned a lot over the past 3 years so it can be done. I assure you that you aren't the only one with the tropical bug up here.

The fun part comes when your new neighbors and friends see the plants you are growing and can't believe it. :)


(As far as transporting your plants I really can't say. I've never tried.)

Good luck

Sam

Re: sudden move to new climate
 

I would cut off most leafs and take it out of the pot and into a plastic bag with wet shredded paper. Slide them under the seat or any place they will not be crushed. If you can’t take them all, I always have room for plants at my place.:golfingbanana:

Re: sudden move to new climate
 

Hi Zacarias, I live 52 degrees north, Cavendishes don't like our summers (can grow outside from june till half september) but Basjoos are growing great here! with good soil, enough water, sun and fertilize they can grow 2/3 metres high!
I have one in the ground now, 40 cm high and I will post pics of the basjoo in fall, then you can see how much it growded:D

Re: sudden move to new climate
 

Hey Zach,
I saw this on a palm forum once...a friend had to move so a local person took the plants, and then shipped them to the friend that moved once he or she got settled in the new place. That seems like it would work!

There are baby-sitters, dog-sitters, so I hope someone can help you while you move by plant-sitting and then shipping.

Taylor

Re: sudden move to new climate
 

Zach,

That's defintely a bummer, dude. I brought a ton of plants with me when I moved from St. Louis to Houston and the vast majority survived, so there is hope. I say cut your bananas back (or at least the leaves, as suggested earlier) and take your chances! Bananas can be very forgiving. Good luck and let us know when you get settled in.

Re: sudden move to new climate
 

zach i hope you are able to move all your babies with you. there is nothing worse then having to leave any behind. snip the leaves put them in plastic bags with wet paper, spag.moss, maybe even peat moss. it will be a temp thing. cover your car seat with plastic and let them roll. i wish you the very best in you new move. and hope your nanas love wa. be safe!!!