What do you guys think?
 

About a month ago, we had a series of really windy days that decimated my basjoo and actually uprooted one of my orinocos. I decided with it being so close to the end of the season, that I would dig them up for the winter. I dug them up, rinsed all the garden soil off the roots (it's heavier than my potting mix and I didn't want soggy soil sitting around my banana roots all winter), and potted them up in 18 gallon totes (3 bananas to a bin). A few got their own pots.

I then proceeded to cut them down to a manageable height and left them outdoors with slightly moist soil until last week. Last week I lugged them down to my grow area in my basement and have been keeping the temps around 75 during the day and 65-68 at night. I moistened the soil again and added a little fertilizer (I mix woodchips into my soil mix and they deplete nitrogen fast). I am leaving the grow lights on for 14 hours a day at the moment.

Now on to my question -- is this normal growth for about a month? I labeled the picture showing which bananas are which. They seemed to have just slightly pushed up in the center and aren't moving much. Granted, I do not want them to explode with growth in the basement, but I'm getting worried that they are moving so slow, especially seeing they are getting decent temperatures down there. My biggest fear is rot, that's why I've been keeping the temps on the warmer side and the soil just moist. I think I would feel better if I saw a little faster growth.

I also have some ensete maurelii down there, and I cut them down to two leaves when I dug them up. They seem to be growing a little faster than the cut basjoo and orinoco.

Thanks, here's the pic.

Re: What do you guys think?
 

I'm not quite sure what your goal here is, Tim- do you want them to continue growing over the winter, or store dormant? If the later, I wouldn't worry about the lighting, definitely would not fertilize, and would stop watering down to the barest minimum. If you want them to be on display and continue normal growth, you're doing fine. Again, though, I would watch the watering to avoid rot. Good luck!

Re: What do you guys think?
 

I want them to grow slowly through the winter. I'm used to one leaf or more per week. I haven't even gotten a full leaf in the last month -- hence why I'm worried.

Re: What do you guys think?
 

You cut them back & transplanted so they are going thru a little shock. Don't fert till they are actively growing. I'd turn the heat down & water less.