Storing plants in the Loft (UK) for the winter
 

Has any of you guys that live in the uk ever tried storing your banana plants in the loft during the winter? I've read messages on here that some people in the US uproot their bananas, chop the leaves off and then store them under the house for the winter. I just wondered whether it was suitable to do this in the UK but put it in the loft instead. Might it be too cold or not cold enough? I'm not sure exactly what temperature the plant needs to go into Stasis. My loft gets pretty cold but i'm sure it never hits freezing as my water tank is up there and it's never frozen over.

I have some Ensette Maurellis (7ft) and lots and lots of other varieties that might need storing. They all lived in my house last year but they're getting far too big and my girlfriend is giving me grief about turning our house into a rainforest again this winter. I personally love it :ha: The trouble is that I now have plenty of new additions so i'm drastically running out of room.

I'm going to try and over-winter the Basjoo and Helen's Hybrid outside but all my Cavendish varieties, Ensette's, Siam Ruby's, Tandara Red, lasiocarpa aswell as my canna's, bird of pradise, lotus flowers etc. need storing somewhere. The little one's can live in the house, it's the big one's that i'm worried about.

On another note, If I leave the canna's where they are and give them some mulch, might they grow back next spring?

Re: Storing plants in the Loft (UK) for the winter
 

Hi, I'm not from the UK but Belgium has almost the same weather I guess. I'm also wondering what to do with the bananas that need to stay indoor during winter. I didn't have a good result with keeping them in a cold room +/- 10C. I had to cut my Dwarf Cavendish to the root but it's grown this summer to a beautiful plant once I put it outside in my garden. It looks like the sudden shock from outside to indoor is too much or else I'm doing something wrong.

Someone said to me that putting it in the bathroom would be excellent because it's the most warm and humid place but except for a small plant that's a no-go :(

Re: Storing plants in the Loft (UK) for the winter
 

Thanks Stimpy, I too had to cut mine down to the roots last year but I kept them inside and all was well apart from the the usual spider-mite (aka the Borg!) infestation.

I've read that some people here dig them up, knock all the soil from the roots and store them under the house. Aparrantly they go into stasis for the winter and will re-grow in the spring. I'm just not sure what temps they need.

Can anyone else help out please?

Re: Storing plants in the Loft (UK) for the winter
 

It seems like 5-10°C in dry enviroment, such as your basement, is ideal. Haven't tried it though.

Re: Storing plants in the Loft (UK) for the winter
 

Thanks Jack that sounds achievable. I'm sure my loft never reaches 0C as I have a water tank up there so it probably stays more than a few degrees above freezing, maybe 5-10 if i'm lucky. I think i'll try it. Cheers :ha:

Re: Storing plants in the Loft (UK) for the winter
 

Not tried the loft i woud be concerned that it could cause rot without good ventilaltion. The same holds true for a greenhouse of course. I put the basjoos potted in an unheated garage and that seems to work well for me. I am going to try bare root storage for my maurelli this year as i lost last years to rot.