csdude55

I'm in zone 7A, western NC in the US.

I bought a Blue Java locally a few years ago, but haven't seen any fruit.

Last year, I left it outside until cold nights killed the leaves, then I dug up the root to bring in the house. I put it in the greenhouse in March, but it didn't sprout until July.

Now it's about 5' tall, but we're starting to have 30 degree nights so it won't get any bigger.

Which do you recommend?

(a) Leave it in the ground where it is, but place a small greenhouse on top of it with a heater

(b) Dig it up and put it in the main greenhouse immediately

I dug up a smaller pup a few weeks ago and put it in the greenhouse, but the leaves are dying back anyway so I know that I'll just be starting over with it next year.

If you recommend that I dig up the big one, anyway, then should I plan to plant it again next year? Or should I put it in a BIG container and try to prevent the annual dig-up-and-replant?

cincinnana

I would do what is least expensive, labor intensive and time consuming for yourself.
Everything you have mentioned will work well for you.
Now that this will become an annual event you will need to find what works for you on a consistent predictable basis. You'll develop shortcuts along the way as skills improve and improvise when needed.
The fun has just begun.


My plants are in containers and I move them about when needed, this is what I have ended up doing.

__________________

csdude55

Thanks for the input!

If putting it in a large container would result it in doing well over the winter in a greenhouse, which could result in actually getting fruit, then I'll probably do that. I have a huge pot that's just sitting around, anyway, so it would be one time of digging it up and then it's mobile forever.

The real issue either way is that the mature height of this tree is 15-20', plus 2' or so for the container. My big greenhouse is only 7' tall, so I guess I'll have to custom build something that's 25' tall?

pitangadiego

Greenhouse for the winter. The pup that is loosing leaves will be OK. Transplant shock almost always leads to some unhappiness and loss of leaves.

__________________
Encanto Farms Nursery
http://encantofarms.com
We Be Bananas
http://webebananas.com

cincinnana

When you reach the point that your plants will not fit the in your greenhouse you may cut the leaves in half to make fit.
Cutting leaves will also reduce the footprint so understory plants can thrive too.
This works for me with any banana plant I have.
The leaves are readily replaced the next grow season.


Plants being cut and prepared for indoors
by
Hostafarian,
on Flickr

__________________

csdude55

I dug up the big one on Friday, trying to keep as much soil as possible on the root, then planted it in the biggest container I have with Miracle Gro potting soil.

Then I watered it really well, and put it in a greenhouse with a dedicated heater that keeps the temperature 70 degrees.

I went out on Saturday, and the leaves are all black / dark brown :-( The stem was still green, but the leaves did NOT appreciate the transfer. At all!

But what's done is done. I suspect that it'll die back to the root within the next few weeks, and I'll have to start over again next year. But with it in a permanent pot now, maybe it won't have the same reaction next Winter.

I guess I'm crossing my fingers in the hopes of getting fruit in 2026! This better be some dang amazing fruit, that's all I know... LOL