edzone9

Hello Gang;

Last night we had a 33f cold snap here in NE Florida .
This morning when i went to inspect my Plants , it didnt look good

They all looked wilted & Very Sad .
Please Banana Experts , what emergency action should i take to save my Banana Plants ?

Or Is it Too Late ?

Thank You ..

The pics are of my Beloved PR Dwarf Plantain & orionoco

Abnshrek

Toasted leaves is the 1st step.. Cold takes or Frost... If they dry out they are good insulation for the upper p-stem. Cold is the enemy to the less established banana's. If its cold hardy but less than 4-5' of p-stem I believe the cold has more of an effect. :^)

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edzone9

Thank You Sir !

I will wait 1 week to see there reaction , I will most likely will start cutting back the PS if they turn to jelly ..

I really hate to loose the PR Dwarf Plants , There Nice Looking Plants ..

Or Should i start cutting back the small PR Dwarf Plantains before they rot ?

Thanks again ..

Abnshrek

If you put christmas lite on them (not LED) and wrap in plastic.. They will grow in the plastic. Of course I mulch them at the bottom to keep the heat in, and leave 3' @ the top for growth and fold over. You don't have to seal the top that way it still gets CO2, but the bend will trap enough heat as it grows :^)

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sunfish

4 stakes and a piece of frost cloth would have done wonders

edzone9

Thank You Sir !

1 More question ;

Can i dig the small PR Dwarf Plantains Up & Cut Them back Untill I see green , Them Plant them in Pots & Store them Inside my house untill they recover ?

Im Afraid If i wait 1 week , that they will rot 100% then it will be too late .
Thanks again !

edzone9

I am kickin my self ! i have stakes and cloth ..
But i was not ready for this .. Busy with the Kids & christmas shopping .

Thanks again ..

blownz281

Like what was said you can protect them or trim them and pot up inside.

blownz281

I think they will be okay and you will not loose them.

edzone9

Thanks all !

I just dug up the 2 small Pr Dwarf Plantain & Cut off all the burnt leafs .

I cleaned the root system & soaked them both in a gallon of water with some supper thrive for 25 minutes.

I then planted both in a 8'' Pot with good soil i had in the garage .
The PS was green in good condition .
Just have to wait to the leafs sprout again ..

The Avacados & Mango Trees are doing great ! No damage at all.

aupoet

Hi, I live in southern Ala, along the Gulf Coast, so I am probably farther north than you. I have several banana plants out in my yard and have never lost any of them from the cold weather. The tops might get bit back like yours but they always come back from the root mat.

For the young 1st year plants, I cover them with what ever will fit over them like a 5 gallon bucket or plastic trash can and then pile hay or straw around it, to see them through the winter. The bigger trees get one 6 to 8 ft. stem protected to increase my chances of getting a flower and ripe fruit next season. Just today, I uncovered my plants and while the leaves are all long dead, the stems are firm and ready to grow.

Whether or not your plants will come out will depend on what variety of banana they are and how cold hardy that type is. I would just leave them alone and see if they come out this spring.

Abnshrek

I can say the Cali-gold I had covered by a 55 gallon plastic drum w/ christmas lites looks so much better than my D. Orinoco.. Cold not so Hardy..

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I'm a Nannerhead :^)