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austinl01 · 06-11-2009, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chong

Thanks, Austin!
I look at your VC photos all the time, so I can still remember that you received a TC, albeit a well developed 2-foot plant. The succeeding summer pictures were quite stunning and encouraging. Although I am so disappointed to hear of the demise of your plant, I find it not altogether so surprising for a first year TC plant planted outside not to survive a first winter. It probably was too much of a shock. Not that I would overwinter my VC pup outside during the first or second winter either. Even if, as alleged in USDA Zone Maps, Seattle area is in Zone 8b. If I am blessed with pups from my VCs, I can offer one of them to you.

I don't remember, did you dig out your VC and store them inside for the winter? Was it sitting right on a concrete slab in an unheated space?

Thanks again.

Chong

Hey, Chong. I was disappointed as well. I dug it in late fall, probably too late, and potted it in a 30 gallon container with well draining bark. I placed it in the garage with no heat. I'd estimate the temp stayed above 32 degrees, however. It looked good and the pstem was firm all winter and even during the spring. When I moved it outside when warm temps arrived, that's when the pstem started turning brown and rot ensued. I tried to save it by cutting back the stem, but it just wasn't enough. Too much rot down to the corm. I offer anyone growing VC advise: OVERWINTER IT IN A WARM PLACE AND DON'T ALLOW IT TO GO DORMANT FOR TOO LONG! Orinoco, Raja puri, and Ice Cream all store better than VC by a long shot. For now, I'm focusing back on Dwarf Orinoco and Raja puri as my best chances to get edible fruit. I just wish there was an edible banana as robust as Musa basjoo! I wish everyone success with their VC and hope you learned something about this banana.

P.S. Thanks, Chong, for the offer. Please let me know if one becomes available. Next time, I will take it up to my work place and overwinter it next to a south facing window.