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Bananaman88 · 03-20-2009, 06:31 AM

This is slightly off-track, but it is about overwintering 'Dw. Cavendish', only outside rather than inside. I'm in the Houston area so I decided to give it a go. Last year I had a nice DC (about 6' to the tip of the tallest leaf) that seemed like it was near to blooming stage as winter approached. I wrapped the trunk numerous times to protect it but the leaves were lost to frost. About a week ago I decided to cut off the top of the pstem as it was obviously damaged. I cut off about 6-8" only to discover that the next thing to emerge would have been the flower bud. I was bummed out but not overly much as the cold had done its damage and the bud was mush and maggot-filled. This is about my 3rd attempt to overwinter DC outside but the first time I've really tried to protect it. This should serve as a good example to anyone who has doubts about how cold hardy DC is- I'm in Zone 9, south of Houston, TX. The coldest we got all winter was 32 deg. F and only for a couple of hours at that. DC just will not handle the cold.

03-20-2009, 06:31 AM	#5 (permalink)
Bananaman88 Bananaculturist Bananaman88's Photo Gallery Location: Houston, TX area Find me on the map! Zone: 9 Name: Brent Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 3,019 BananaBucks : 330,013 Feedback: 22 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1,339 Times Was Thanked 2,263 Times in 1,178 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 191 Times	Re: Overwintering DCs question ?? This is slightly off-track, but it is about overwintering 'Dw. Cavendish', only outside rather than inside. I'm in the Houston area so I decided to give it a go. Last year I had a nice DC (about 6' to the tip of the tallest leaf) that seemed like it was near to blooming stage as winter approached. I wrapped the trunk numerous times to protect it but the leaves were lost to frost. About a week ago I decided to cut off the top of the pstem as it was obviously damaged. I cut off about 6-8" only to discover that the next thing to emerge would have been the flower bud. I was bummed out but not overly much as the cold had done its damage and the bud was mush and maggot-filled. This is about my 3rd attempt to overwinter DC outside but the first time I've really tried to protect it. This should serve as a good example to anyone who has doubts about how cold hardy DC is- I'm in Zone 9, south of Houston, TX. The coldest we got all winter was 32 deg. F and only for a couple of hours at that. DC just will not handle the cold.