Bananas.org

Welcome to the Bananas.org forums.

You're currently viewing our message boards as a guest which gives you limited access to participate in discussions and access our other features such as our wiki and photo gallery. By joining our community, you'll have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload photos, and access many other special features. Registration is fast and simple, so please join our community today!

If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact us.

Go Back   Bananas.org > Other Topics > Other Plants
Register Photo Gallery Classifieds Wiki Chat Map Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

Other Plants Discussion of all other types of plants besides bananas.


Members currently in the chatroom: 0
The most chatters online in one day was 17, 09-06-2009.
No one is currently using the chat.

Reply   Email this Page Email this Page
 
LinkBack Thread Tools
Old 11-04-2007, 10:44 PM   #1 (permalink)
revetahw
 
Whatever's Avatar
 
Location: SW Ohio
Zone: 6a
Name: Dalton
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 201
BananaBucks : 44,054
Feedback: 4 / 100%
Said "Thanks" 39 Times
Was Thanked 101 Times in 28 Posts
Said "Welcome to Bananas" 191 Times
Default Other cold hardy "tropicals" ?

Right now I have a couple musa basjoo's and will be getting some bamboo soon. I also plan on getting some EE's this spring but I want some other cold hardy tropical-ish plants. lol

I'm in zone 6a. I would like to hear any suggestions for plants that can survive in my zone.
__________________
With my feet upon the ground I lose myself
between the sounds and open wide to suck it in.
I feel it move across my skin.
I'm reaching up and reaching out.
I'm reaching for the random or what ever will bewilder me.
And following our will and wind we may just go where no one's been.
We'll ride the spiral to the end and may just go where no one's been.

Spiral out. Keep going...
Whatever is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To Whatever

Join Bananas.org Today!

Are you a banana plant enthusiast? Then we hope you will join the community. You will gain access to post, create threads, private message, upload images, join groups and more.

Bananas.org is owned and operated by fellow banana plant enthusiasts. We strive to offer a non-commercial community to learn and share information. Receive all three issues from Volume 1 of Bananas Magazine with your membership:
   

Join Bananas.org Today! - Click Here


Sponsors

Old 11-05-2007, 05:29 AM   #2 (permalink)
 
the flying dutchman's Avatar
 
Location: HOLLAND
Zone: 8
Name: Ron
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,031
BananaBucks : 107,565
Feedback: 0 / 0%
Said "Thanks" 48 Times
Was Thanked 243 Times in 147 Posts
Said "Welcome to Bananas" 11 Times
Default Re: Other cold hardy "tropicals" ?

You could try a Trachycarpus or Sabal Minor palm, but it is tricky in
your zone.
Canna's are quite easy, as you can dig the bulbs out of the ground after
the first frost.
the flying dutchman is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To the flying dutchman
Said thanks:
Old 11-05-2007, 09:48 AM   #3 (permalink)
Digger Extraordinaire
 
BGreen's Avatar
 
Location: Kansas
Zone: Zone 5b/6a
Name: Ben
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 296
BananaBucks : 114,877
Feedback: 2 / 100%
Said "Thanks" 19 Times
Was Thanked 45 Times in 29 Posts
Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times
Default Re: Other cold hardy "tropicals" ?

Whatever,

What are you wanting to do as far as care?

For the colder zones you have 4 options:
-Plants you leave in the ground: cold hardy with mulch and other winter protection
-Plants used as annuals: plant in spring, let them die in fall.
-Plants you dig up: fast growing and store easy. Plant in the ground in the spring - dig up in fall
-Container plants: kept in containers, moved in and out during the year

I use all four methods for my plants. It depends on how much work your willing to do. As far as cold hardy tropical plants we have a limited choice for long term survival.

The plants below can be kept in the ground all year with some protection, but the severity of your winter plays a roll to.

Palms you can use are Rhapidophyllum hystrix / Needle palm and Sabal minor / Dwarf palmetto. Like Ron stated Trachycarpus can be used, but it has to be in a very nice microclimate. I know a few people with these, but they build winter shelters for them. Easy enough while they are small.

Bananas that are worth trying in the ground are Musa basjoo, and Musa sikkimensis. I keep thinking of trying Musella lasiocarpa, but never got around to getting one for testing purposes.

Hardy tropicals you might try:
Colocasia 'Big Dipper'
Colocasia 'Pink China'
Colocasia 'Gigantea' (not the Thailand Giant Strain)
Petasites species
If you like the look of yucca try:
Yucca glauca; Yucca filamentosa; Yucca rostrata (a trunk forming species)

I like the look of the big grasses. Some of the Miscanthus species and a nice tropical effect. Think big leaves. A few things that work good as annuals are Castor bean Ricinus communis and Sweet potato Ipomoea batatas. Anything can really be treated as an annual, but you want a fast growing plant. If you are willing to dig cannas, alocasia, colocasia, and xanthosoma, all work well. Also look at some fast growing vines: passifora, ipomoea, mandevilla, bougainvillea.

I really like the books "Hot Plants for Cool Climates" by Roth and Schrader, and "Palms Won't Grow Here and Other Myths: Warm-Climate Plants for Cooler Areas" by David A. Francko.
I also have the book "The Subtropical Garden" by Hanly and Walker. It's ok, it has some errors, but it's geared more for zones 9+

What species of bamboo are you getting?
Needmorebamboo.com is located in zone 6a. They have some great info on the bamboo that they have tried.

Find pics of what you like, and see if your willing to provide the care they need during the winter. I am always look for new plants, and trying new ones.
I keep telling myself I have found enough big leaved plants, but keep finding new ones I like. Next spring I will be trying out more annuals to add in color.
Good luck in your search.
__________________
Take care,

BGreen
BGreen is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To BGreen
Said thanks:
Old 11-05-2007, 10:04 AM   #4 (permalink)
 
the flying dutchman's Avatar
 
Location: HOLLAND
Zone: 8
Name: Ron
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,031
BananaBucks : 107,565
Feedback: 0 / 0%
Said "Thanks" 48 Times
Was Thanked 243 Times in 147 Posts
Said "Welcome to Bananas" 11 Times
Default Re: Other cold hardy "tropicals" ?

Wow, thats a great post Ben, I forgot about the yucca's.

Here my yucca Thompsoniana, it is said to be even hardier than Rostrata.




Other hardy Yucca's are:

Y.Faxoniana, Y.Treculeana, Y.Torryi , Y.Elata


Ron
the flying dutchman is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To the flying dutchman
Said thanks:
Old 11-05-2007, 12:17 PM   #5 (permalink)
revetahw
 
Whatever's Avatar
 
Location: SW Ohio
Zone: 6a
Name: Dalton
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 201
BananaBucks : 44,054
Feedback: 4 / 100%
Said "Thanks" 39 Times
Was Thanked 101 Times in 28 Posts
Said "Welcome to Bananas" 191 Times
Default Re: Other cold hardy "tropicals" ?

Quote:
Originally Posted by BGreen View Post
Whatever,

What are you wanting to do as far as care?

For the colder zones you have 4 options:
-Plants you leave in the ground: cold hardy with mulch and other winter protection
-Plants used as annuals: plant in spring, let them die in fall.
-Plants you dig up: fast growing and store easy. Plant in the ground in the spring - dig up in fall
-Container plants: kept in containers, moved in and out during the year

I use all four methods for my plants. It depends on how much work your willing to do. As far as cold hardy tropical plants we have a limited choice for long term survival.

The plants below can be kept in the ground all year with some protection, but the severity of your winter plays a roll to.

Palms you can use are Rhapidophyllum hystrix / Needle palm and Sabal minor / Dwarf palmetto. Like Ron stated Trachycarpus can be used, but it has to be in a very nice microclimate. I know a few people with these, but they build winter shelters for them. Easy enough while they are small.

Bananas that are worth trying in the ground are Musa basjoo, and Musa sikkimensis. I keep thinking of trying Musella lasiocarpa, but never got around to getting one for testing purposes.

Hardy tropicals you might try:
Colocasia 'Big Dipper'
Colocasia 'Pink China'
Colocasia 'Gigantea' (not the Thailand Giant Strain)
Petasites species
If you like the look of yucca try:
Yucca glauca; Yucca filamentosa; Yucca rostrata (a trunk forming species)

I like the look of the big grasses. Some of the Miscanthus species and a nice tropical effect. Think big leaves. A few things that work good as annuals are Castor bean Ricinus communis and Sweet potato Ipomoea batatas. Anything can really be treated as an annual, but you want a fast growing plant. If you are willing to dig cannas, alocasia, colocasia, and xanthosoma, all work well. Also look at some fast growing vines: passifora, ipomoea, mandevilla, bougainvillea.

I really like the books "Hot Plants for Cool Climates" by Roth and Schrader, and "Palms Won't Grow Here and Other Myths: Warm-Climate Plants for Cooler Areas" by David A. Francko.
I also have the book "The Subtropical Garden" by Hanly and Walker. It's ok, it has some errors, but it's geared more for zones 9+

What species of bamboo are you getting?
Needmorebamboo.com is located in zone 6a. They have some great info on the bamboo that they have tried.

Find pics of what you like, and see if your willing to provide the care they need during the winter. I am always look for new plants, and trying new ones.
I keep telling myself I have found enough big leaved plants, but keep finding new ones I like. Next spring I will be trying out more annuals to add in color.
Good luck in your search.
Very nice post, Thanks! Ill look into what you listed.

Is there much difference between the basjoo and Musa sikkimensis? It looks like it gets to about the same size.
__________________
With my feet upon the ground I lose myself
between the sounds and open wide to suck it in.
I feel it move across my skin.
I'm reaching up and reaching out.
I'm reaching for the random or what ever will bewilder me.
And following our will and wind we may just go where no one's been.
We'll ride the spiral to the end and may just go where no one's been.

Spiral out. Keep going...
Whatever is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To Whatever
Sponsors

Old 11-05-2007, 04:28 PM   #6 (permalink)
revetahw
 
Whatever's Avatar
 
Location: SW Ohio
Zone: 6a
Name: Dalton
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 201
BananaBucks : 44,054
Feedback: 4 / 100%
Said "Thanks" 39 Times
Was Thanked 101 Times in 28 Posts
Said "Welcome to Bananas" 191 Times
Default Re: Other cold hardy "tropicals" ?

Quote:
Originally Posted by BGreen View Post
Whatever,

What are you wanting to do as far as care?

For the colder zones you have 4 options:
-Plants you leave in the ground: cold hardy with mulch and other winter protection
-Plants used as annuals: plant in spring, let them die in fall.
-Plants you dig up: fast growing and store easy. Plant in the ground in the spring - dig up in fall
-Container plants: kept in containers, moved in and out during the year

I use all four methods for my plants. It depends on how much work your willing to do. As far as cold hardy tropical plants we have a limited choice for long term survival.

The plants below can be kept in the ground all year with some protection, but the severity of your winter plays a roll to.

Palms you can use are Rhapidophyllum hystrix / Needle palm and Sabal minor / Dwarf palmetto. Like Ron stated Trachycarpus can be used, but it has to be in a very nice microclimate. I know a few people with these, but they build winter shelters for them. Easy enough while they are small.

Bananas that are worth trying in the ground are Musa basjoo, and Musa sikkimensis. I keep thinking of trying Musella lasiocarpa, but never got around to getting one for testing purposes.

Hardy tropicals you might try:
Colocasia 'Big Dipper'
Colocasia 'Pink China'
Colocasia 'Gigantea' (not the Thailand Giant Strain)
Petasites species
If you like the look of yucca try:
Yucca glauca; Yucca filamentosa; Yucca rostrata (a trunk forming species)

I like the look of the big grasses. Some of the Miscanthus species and a nice tropical effect. Think big leaves. A few things that work good as annuals are Castor bean Ricinus communis and Sweet potato Ipomoea batatas. Anything can really be treated as an annual, but you want a fast growing plant. If you are willing to dig cannas, alocasia, colocasia, and xanthosoma, all work well. Also look at some fast growing vines: passifora, ipomoea, mandevilla, bougainvillea.

I really like the books "Hot Plants for Cool Climates" by Roth and Schrader, and "Palms Won't Grow Here and Other Myths: Warm-Climate Plants for Cooler Areas" by David A. Francko.
I also have the book "The Subtropical Garden" by Hanly and Walker. It's ok, it has some errors, but it's geared more for zones 9+

What species of bamboo are you getting?
Needmorebamboo.com is located in zone 6a. They have some great info on the bamboo that they have tried.

Find pics of what you like, and see if your willing to provide the care they need during the winter. I am always look for new plants, and trying new ones.
I keep telling myself I have found enough big leaved plants, but keep finding new ones I like. Next spring I will be trying out more annuals to add in color.
Good luck in your search.
The bamboo I'm getting would be,

PHYLLOSTACHYS pubescens "Moso" - Seeds
PHYLLOSTACHYS heteroclada "Water bamboo" - Seeds
PHYLLOSTACHYS Aureosulcata "Yellow groove"

The P. pubescens and P. heteroclada will be more of a winter project since they will be from seed and be container plants until at least early 09. The yellow groove will be coming soon and will go into a large container until late winter / early spring.

Looking at some of what you have listed, Many of those look interesting. I ordered some Musa sikkimensis seeds, Now I'm looking for tips on growing them from seed.

Alocasia Borneo looks very cool. I will probably get one come spring and then try to overwinter it when the time comes.

I was going to get some Musella lasiocarpa seeds but upon reading on them it seams like its very hard to germinate and takes a while so Ill probably just spend a little more and get a live one.

My list of plants I want to get this coming spring is growing fast.
__________________
With my feet upon the ground I lose myself
between the sounds and open wide to suck it in.
I feel it move across my skin.
I'm reaching up and reaching out.
I'm reaching for the random or what ever will bewilder me.
And following our will and wind we may just go where no one's been.
We'll ride the spiral to the end and may just go where no one's been.

Spiral out. Keep going...
Whatever is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To Whatever
Old 11-05-2007, 06:54 PM   #7 (permalink)
Digger Extraordinaire
 
BGreen's Avatar
 
Location: Kansas
Zone: Zone 5b/6a
Name: Ben
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 296
BananaBucks : 114,877
Feedback: 2 / 100%
Said "Thanks" 19 Times
Was Thanked 45 Times in 29 Posts
Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times
Default Re: Other cold hardy "tropicals" ?

I like that yucca Ron! Thanks for posting the pic.
I will have to look into the others you listed. I never really gave yucca a second look until this year after collecting some seeds. The trunked spp. give off a palmish feel to me. Now I just have to test one
__________________
Take care,

BGreen
BGreen is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To BGreen
Old 11-05-2007, 07:47 PM   #8 (permalink)
 
the flying dutchman's Avatar
 
Location: HOLLAND
Zone: 8
Name: Ron
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,031
BananaBucks : 107,565
Feedback: 0 / 0%
Said "Thanks" 48 Times
Was Thanked 243 Times in 147 Posts
Said "Welcome to Bananas" 11 Times
Default Re: Other cold hardy "tropicals" ?

I have the stem of that one trimmed now, I will make a new picture. I have thrown a lot of stones against the stem to prevent rot and when we get a bad winter I will protect the growing-point too.

Here is a good link on yucca's

http://www.mexicangardens.com/indexnl.php

Ron
the flying dutchman is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To the flying dutchman
Said thanks:
Old 11-05-2007, 07:58 PM   #9 (permalink)
Digger Extraordinaire
 
BGreen's Avatar
 
Location: Kansas
Zone: Zone 5b/6a
Name: Ben
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 296
BananaBucks : 114,877
Feedback: 2 / 100%
Said "Thanks" 19 Times
Was Thanked 45 Times in 29 Posts
Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times
Default Re: Other cold hardy "tropicals" ?

Whatever,

Sikkimensis can be more colorful than basjoo, the undersides of the leaves are reddish and they can have red marks on the tops. I haven't tried any yet, I ordered some, but recieved something else instead. I did sprout a seed of the 'Daj Giant' so hopefully I can try one out next winter.

I like the choice of bamboos you picked. The first to are pushing the limit of your zone, but worth a shot. Check out the germination section for seed tips.
I really like the Alocasia 'Borneo Giant', it's one of my overwinter in a pot plants. Also look at Alocasia 'Black Stem', Alocasia 'Lutea'. Those will and more than just green to the landscape. Another would be Xanthosoma 'Lime Zinger'

Here's a link to some pics of plants that I like grown in a colder climate
BocaJoe's
__________________
Take care,

BGreen
BGreen is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To BGreen
Said thanks:
Old 11-06-2007, 07:41 PM   #10 (permalink)
*********
 
bigdog's Avatar
 
Location: Gainesville, FL
Zone: 8b
Name: Frank
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,002
BananaBucks : 730,747
Feedback: 7 / 100%
Said "Thanks" 212 Times
Was Thanked 1,787 Times in 502 Posts
Said "Welcome to Bananas" 131 Times
Send a message via AIM to bigdog Send a message via MSN to bigdog
Default Re: Other cold hardy "tropicals" ?

Hey, don't forget Yucca recurvifolia or Yucca gloriosa! The variegated Y. gloriosa is particularly attractive. Here is my pride and joy Yucca recurvifolia, just now opening up blooms in time for frost (figures):



I'm still trying to figure out what setting I had my camera on that day. The pics I took that day look like I scanned them in, but I took them with my digital camera. Oh well. Here's a couple more in my yard:


bigdog is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To bigdog
Said thanks:
Old 11-06-2007, 08:19 PM   #11 (permalink)
Digger Extraordinaire
 
BGreen's Avatar
 
Location: Kansas
Zone: Zone 5b/6a
Name: Ben
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 296
BananaBucks : 114,877
Feedback: 2 / 100%
Said "Thanks" 19 Times
Was Thanked 45 Times in 29 Posts
Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times
Default Re: Other cold hardy "tropicals" ?

Wow Frank!
Those are looking good!

Check the ISO setting on the camera.... The higher the number the more "noise" will show up in the picture.
__________________
Take care,

BGreen
BGreen is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To BGreen
Old 12-06-2007, 02:44 AM   #12 (permalink)
 
Location: Cincinnati OH
Zone: 6
Name: marco
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 57
BananaBucks : 23,932
Feedback: 0 / 0%
Said "Thanks" 2 Times
Was Thanked 10 Times in 10 Posts
Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times
Default Re: Other cold hardy "tropicals" ?

I've got an average run-of-the-mill cycad that has about a 2.5 ' diameter canopy now.

I bring it outside from the living room every spring, and every summer it grows nice new 'replacement' fronds, and seems to get a little bigger, but I never seen any evidence of any fruit or seed production.

Do I need more than 1 plant for this?
marco is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To marco
Old 12-06-2007, 02:51 AM   #13 (permalink)
 
dablo93's Avatar
 
Location: Randstad North
Zone: Z8b-Z9a, wet cold winters and mild summers
Name: daen
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 909
BananaBucks : 94,620
Feedback: 0 / 0%
Said "Thanks" 122 Times
Was Thanked 262 Times in 166 Posts
Said "Welcome to Bananas" 159 Times
Send a message via MSN to dablo93
Default Re: Other cold hardy "tropicals" ?

very much yucca's can grow great in your zone, also Opuntia and chamaerops Humilis (-14)palm and Jubeae Chilensis (-14)(palms) can also survive with some protection
__________________
-=
dablo93 is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To dablo93
Reply   Email this Page Email this Page

Previous Thread: Heliconia Caribea
Next Thread: tropical plants





Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Musa "Dwarf Namwah Pearl" and Musa sp. "snow white" Tobi Main Banana Discussion 5 01-19-2009 07:15 PM
Musa "Banana Maçã" and "Banana Nanica" in Brasil Basjoofriend Species Bananas 4 10-22-2008 12:27 PM
Musa sikkimensis 'Darjelling Giant' "Amazing night banana" Tropicallvr Cold Hardy Bananas 12 12-05-2007 02:21 PM
Finally got a "Aechmea Fasciata"" (Silver Vase Plant) Musa_Cavandish Other Plants 2 08-13-2007 03:09 PM
New Forums - "Cold Hardy Bananas" and "Species Bananas" MediaHound Bananas.org Site News 1 08-31-2006 01:29 PM


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:26 PM.





All content © Bananas.org & the respective author.