I'm not from Michigan, but I too am trying to get fruit by overwintering.
I've have only Cavendish. I started with one back in 2010 (?) and got one to fruit last year at about 10 feet high (see pics on my prof.). Influorescence came in July, unfortunately this has been one of the earliest, longest and coldest winters I've seen in many years.
I remember Decembers in the 70's. Anyway, overwintered the fruiting tree and, of course it got down to single digits, so no fruit.
However, I do have several backups for this year.
With that being said, the key seems to be to get it to bloom as early in the spring as possible. If there is a non-scientific way to do this I have not figured it out yet. Maybe it you got a pup late in the fall...?
If any of you have had success doing it give me a shout. I saw where one guy got fruit on a Musa 'Orinoco' fairly quickly (Not sure if it was a dwarf or not.).
I think they are fast growers (I mean REALLY fast). I couldn't believe there was one faster than a Cavendish.
Musa 'Orinoco' (Orinoco Banana Tree) This amazing banana is one of the most cold hardy of the edible fruiting banana trees, commonly grown for fruit in the US Gulf Coast region. Musa ‘Orinoco’ amazes visitors with its nice fruit clusters in our Zone 7 garden. For us, a height of 10' is common, although Musa ‘Orinoco’ can reach 21' in more hospitable climates. Musa ‘Orinoco’ requires the pseudostem to remain growing for at least 9 months to produce fruit, so we recommend caging the plants in winter to preserve next year's fruiting stalks. (Hardiness Zone 8-10, colder with protection) - See more at:
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Hope I added a little to the discussion.
Brian
Thanks for starting this thread. It's a great help for us poor plebs who don't live in the tropics.