Winterization
 

Most effective method.. :^)



This is my least favorite method.. I prefer Heat-taping my outdoor banana's since there is no bulbs to replace it just works. Wrapping the banana is basically same method with a much more reliable heater in a heat-tape.







An Namwah I wrapped up.. Now this was fun.. believe you me.. :^)



Unwrapped Feb 23rd last year and lost this stem to frost..



Of course it recovered nicely.. :^)



This is a DC after unwrapping in 2010, I had it wrapped in trash bags filled w/ straw and wrapped w/ a heat-tape.. This is my 1st and last DC flower (flowered in 10 months).. It rotted in place.

Re: Winterization
 

I'm usually forced to do the method with lights, works quite often for me. Also the picture of the DC is very intriguing, if I am correct is the flower coming straight out of a 2ft pseudostem.

Re: Winterization
 

The Dc Choked hard as you can see there was more stem..



Here's the flower exposed.



Fingers exposed



Flower / Fruit demise..

Re: Winterization
 

AB must admit you have a great technic for winterizing !..
Amazing they still fruit under those conditions .

P.s. nice size front yard !:08:

Re: Winterization
 

Very nice job! Do you mind sharing where to get the heat tape? Cannot find it at HD or Loewes...

Re: Winterization
 

I don't what the length you need but its always better to have to much than not enough so I get the longest one I can get.. They used to have 40ft'ers, but only carry 30' now days @ Hoe Depot-online.. If you get 2 they ship for free.. :^)
Frost King 30 ft. Automatic Electric Heat Cable Kit-HC30 at The Home Depot

Re: Winterization
 

Nice. Thank you. They do not have it in the stores here in SoCal, but I should have checked the websites.... Want to try this...

Re: Winterization
 

Question from a first time banana grower in zone 7 (Tennessee). I was given a small tree in the spring and thought I'd see how it would do. It's now about 8 ft tall with a couple of 5 ft shoots. They've become a nice looking little family. I'm not growing them for fruit but do want them back next year. I've seen several in the area come back year after year after being cut back and mulched. My question is: Should I cut them before first frost or let them die down naturally and then cut them back. I really don't want to dig them up. Although I do have a large crawl space I could use if I have to.

Re: Winterization
 

I don't know what type you have (you can post a pic and someone should be able to narrow it down)? I have Orinoco's here that I don't do anything till spring.. IE trim leaves off and trim back a bit.. :^)

Re: Winterization
 

Sorry, Don't know the type. That's a picture of my tree by my name. I don't ever see any banana trees here through the winter, though.

Re: Winterization
 

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Re: Winterization
 

Can anyone help MJ out? I think the plant needs alot more mulch if its going to stay out where it is..

Re: Winterization
 

Actually, Abnshrek, I haven't mulched it yet. We probably still have another month of fall weather. The elephant ear in front winters over ok. The boston fern is potted and will come inside. I had planned on cutting the banana stalks to about a foot and covering them with a couple of feet of straw. Thats what most in this area do. ( I'm in Knoxville, TN) I don't know if I should cut it before it freezes or wait till it turns brown.

Re: Winterization
 

Mulch helps hold water during the summer.. It breaks down pretty fast, but I think it helps feed the plants as it breaks down, whether that be due to worms, Rollie-Pollies, termites, etc.. eating it up and leaving good stuff behind.. :^)

Re: Winterization
 

Basjoo

Re: Winterization
 

Thanks. It looks like you're right from what I can see.

Re: Winterization
 

The answer, in my opinion, is somewhere in the middle... I'd wait until the first freeze and then chop... I would not wait "Till it turns brown"...

Re: Winterization
 

Thanks. Will try that.

Re: Winterization
 

Looks like a basjoo to me too. It should be fine no matter which method you choose. I'd wait 'til frost too before doing anything.

Re: Winterization
 

Here is a 40' Heat-Tape and 3 bucks cheaper than Hoe Depot.. :^)

Easy Heat Inc AHB-140 40' Auto Heating Cable

While I'm @ it what is the best Frost Cloth you have used?

Re: Winterization
 

That's awesome..........but on my newly purchased 2 acres, we dont have electricity yet HAHAHAH

Re: Winterization
 

You going to build them an earth home w/ a sky light? :^)

Re: Winterization
 

hahahaha. i will do the hoop house effect with two layers of 6mil plastic and throw in some mulch and stuff.

Re: Winterization
 

They need some mulch anyways.. right :^)

Re: Winterization
 

yeah we put some mulch on this summer to hold in moisture and in hopes of it breaking down while we build our compost bins up (which is doing good)

Re: Winterization
 

Well with the weather coming its time to put my small one's in the storage room w/ T-12 5k lighting.. :^)





My big one's will be in by COB Tuesday evening.. They have T-5 and T-8 5k lighting.. :^)

Re: Winterization
 

Frost cloth: I use the Agribon 19, which is thick enough to protect my plants from early morning hour frost, but not too thick if it gets warm during the day. It also lets enough light through. The coldest night temperatures last winter were 28F, so the Agribon 19 was sufficient. If it gets colder where you live, you might want to go with the Agribon 30 (4-6 F frost protection) or the Agribon 50 ( up to 8 F protection).

Re: Winterization
 

I have not used frost cloth, just test driving it this year.. I might try it on established plants but young one's I just am not taking a chance when it comes to cold.. I have 3oz for my banana's and the frost covers for my citrus.. :^)

Re: Winterization
 

The 1st step in putting a 13' stemmed banana to sleep for the winter.. See if I can get them banana's thru the winter.. Can't see the flower no more.. Hell I'm almost camouflaged.. :^)

Re: Winterization
 

On a 6' ladder? Careful!!!��

Re: Winterization
 

No a 21' ladder folded in half.. :^)

Re: Winterization
 

OK, you made me worry for a moment ;)

Re: Winterization
 

Caligold ready for the cold that's coming.. Veinte Cohol ready to seek shelter.. The non Goldfinger in the corner (L) will get stuck in a pot tomorrow.. :^)

Re: Winterization
 

My frost covers are Agribon + whatever that # might be? I know they seem thicker and more heavy-duty than 3oz. frost cloth.. that's all I know.. I don't wanna know what a 15'x 250' roll of Agribon + would run.. :^)

Re: Winterization
 

This is my cold weather test.. S. Ark Orinoco w/ just frost cloth..



I think the whole stem will survive.. we'll see.. :^)

Re: Winterization
 

Namwah bundled up..



White Iholena...



I lit a fire under them.. as a pretest.. 13' Glow in the Dark BoogieMan.. :^)

Re: Winterization
 

I bought mine last year at Agriculture Solutions LLC
Good prices and quality, so I will still be able to use it all again this upcoming winter.

Re: Winterization
 

I will never again wrap or heat another plant so it will make it through winter. Plenty of plants to grow that don't need protection

Re: Winterization
 

Does that include bringing plants in from the elements? :^)

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Just some I did today..





4 in a row.. can't see the Sweetheart..

Re: Winterization
 

Do I sense paranormal activity around your house or is Halloween runnin a little late around there?

:nanadrink:

Re: Winterization
 

None of them are lit so, I think we're good.. Might be Banana Goolies..

My test in La.. is the Ice Cream ( not Namwah) w/o a heat-tape in the last pic.. all by itself.. :^)

Re: Winterization
 

I admire your work. I'd do the same if I could but we're freezing up solid here tonight. Got my basjoos stuffed and tarped probably until April. I was able to harbor some nice pups though, their almost as tall as me! I miss the tropical landscape already.

Re: Winterization
 

Thanks.. I hear you its a shame.. Most of my work was done since I have several in stages of fruiting so figured mize well go for it.. I do know the Agribon + frost cloth I purchased is better than the 3 oz. premium I purchased so we'll see how well it works.. Its already freezing in S. Ark..

Re: Winterization
 

Well it got down to 29F this morning in S. Ark.. 35 mph winds knocked off one of my covers it won't do it again, believe you me.. Leaves on the White Iholena are only slightly burnt I think the Christmas lites and heat-tape are the only reason they aren't toast.. The banana's look fine.. :^)

Re: Winterization
 

^what is this heat tape that you speak of?

Re: Winterization
 

Easy Heat Inc AHB-140 40' Auto Heating Cable

If you only need a 30'er Home Depot.com is reasonable.. I got some on sale last week for $36.. :^)

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An Orinoco w/ bunch hangin'.. This one is like a Present you have to wait till Easter to open up.. :^)

Re: Winterization
 

Namwah I need to redo the frost cloth, so I thought you might like to see how well the 3oz. Frost cloth works after this one took 24F for several hours. Glad it doesn't get that cold normally. It has a slight burn, but not anything major. :^)

Re: Winterization
 

Well I think this one if it weren't so close to popping I'd clip the top.. :^)



I had to break out Bubba tree to see how I can retrofit it.. :^)