csdude55

Thanks to the advice you all gave me in this thread, my blue java is doing great so far!

new Blue Java in zone 7A - Bananas.org

It's well over 6' tall and sprouted new leaves weekly, so I'm pretty confident about its survival :-)

The question now, though, is about winterizing it. The temperatures are just now dropping below 50 at night, and in my zone (7A) we usually see snow, ice, and sleet until February, sometimes March. And frost is common until around May 15.

Any suggestions on how to protect my new baby so that it's nice and strong next year?

scottu

basjoo is the only banana that i would try outside in zone 6 or 7, they do well as long as you insulate all parts of the plant left. any part that freezes is toast. lots of threads on that. Blue Java or Namwah, Give it a go and see if it is as hardy but, take a pup inside just incase.

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Viva La Banana

csdude55

I only got it locally in July, so it doesn't have any pups of its own :-( It's grown well, though, and the guy that I bought it from said that he's had his for several years and sells off the pups, so I THINK it usually does OK here. I'm just not sure if he covers the whole thing in plastic, or if he cuts the stalk down to the ground and mulches over it, or if he digs it up and plants it in an indoor pot... or something else?

cincinnana

Bring the plant indoors and overwinter..
Your plant should do well indoors during the slow growth period.

Check out overwintering videos on Youtube and pick and choose which will work for you.

If unsure pm the folks whom have posted for their best practice.

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