emls5

I live in Lompoc, Ca, zone 10A. Last year it got down to 19 degrees at night for about a week but came up to 50-65 degrees during the day. I was hoping someone can tell me how to winterize my plant. Planted in late spring from inside garage to outside. Also have 3 pups growing. 2 about 8 inches tall and one that just popped up. How do I save them for next spring. Any advise would be appreciated.

__________________
Find me on the map!

75north

Wow, a week of 19 degrees in zone 10A? That's pretty wild.

There was just a thread here the other day about overwintering techniques. It seems like a frost cloth is a good start and then depending on the cold sensitivity of your bananas/the predicted temperatures you can step up to more aggressive wraps of the pseudostem and artificial heat from something like Christmas lights.

As far as the pups go, if it were me I think I would probably separate one of the bigger ones now and get it established in a pot just in case, so that you can bring it inside if it gets too cold.

emls5

Yeah last year I had the plant in the garage under grow lights in a large pot. I think the growth was stunted but the plant didn't die due to the heat mat it was sitting on and the grow light. Planted it late in spring so I doubt it will have any fruit this year but I hope to keep the mother plant alive through winter. to big now to bring back into the garage. Thanks for the idea of potting a pup. will try that.

__________________
Find me on the map!

cincinnana

Some forum members cut the pstem in half and the plant will sort itself out....just alittle shorter.
Pups can stay in the pot now till next spring.
And it all fits in the garage

__________________