Don B

I am in the Gig Harbor, WA area and grow Musa Basjoo. I am wondering if anyone in this area has grown other varieties of banana plants that overwinter. I am also interested in other tropical type plants that survive the winters outdoors. I grow Elephant Ears, ginger, Bamboo and several other plants that help give my yard a tropical appearance.

I look forward to hearing from others in my area, or colder climates.

Thanks.

Don

sputinc7

Allow me to be first to welcome you and tell you what someone will eventually say, please put your location in your profile so others in the future will know where you're from.
I live in Florida and don't grow Basjoo, so I can't help much there.
One of our foremost specialists on the site lives in your general neck of the woods.
I am sure you will learn a lot here.

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If you lose your head and give up, you neither live nor win.

https://sputinc7.wixsite.com/covwc

Varieties I supposedly bought: Manzano, Cavendish, Blue Java, Sweetheart, and Gros Michel.
What it seems I actually have: Brazilian, Cavendish, Namwah, Dwarf Red, Gros Michel, Pisang Ceylon, Veinte Cohol and SH 3640, and American Goldfinger. FHIA 1, Paggi and FHIA 17... Always room for one more.

Snarkie

Hi Don-

Welcome to the Banana Express.

I live in NC; close to your zone; just a little drier in the summer. Like you, I have some cheating plants to go with that sub tropical look in a chillier climate.

I have Musa basjoo, windmill and needle palms, and aloe, moundlily and Adam's needle yuccas. I also have some prickly pear cacti here and there. I like the idea of the ginger. I'll have to look into that.

Check out nate74's post, "Around the Yard in 2016." He's up in BC and has a ton of stuff that you can get ideas from.

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The Only Eastern Redwood Forest in America




"Nuke my 'nanners, will you?!"

a.hulva@coxinet.net

Contact Mark Dragt. He's in Rochester, WA
Lots of bananas and experience.

Don B

Thank you. Thanks to everyone for the warm welcome.

chong

Hello Don,
Welcome! It's great to hear that there's another new member from the NW. there's actually a few from the Puget Sound area. I even tried to get a mini-convention going once, but in the last minute a majority had scheduling conflicts and had to cancel. I live in Seattle. I've been growing bananas and other tropicals since 1974. Mostly indoors and in a greenhouse. I've grown Ensete banana outdoors for 4-5 years, but that last year I had them, Seattle area had almost continuous rain for several months. Although the temperatures were mild, the continuous rain in 40°F weather caused the rhizomes to rot. The pseudo stem and leaves looked normal but I found out about the root-rot when I tried to straighten them from leaning. I believe that If I could have sheltered them from the rain, they would still be around.

Good luck to you.

Chong

Don B

Chong:

Thank you so much for the information. I started growing banana plants in AZ in 1976, moved around a lot and had musa basjoo at each new residence. I would like to get other varieties going here and was hoping someone had success. Seems like you did well. I'm wondering if a good bed with sand might help drainage. Keep in touch.

a.hulva@coxinet.net

Don, I have had a similar situation with poor drainage. I built a new bed this year. I first tilled in a huge amount of coarse sand. The top 12" of soil is approximately 30 to 40% sand. I also mounded the bed a good 12" to 15" high. The result is superior drainage. If there is any down side it's that when it gets hot and dry it requires a little more frequent watering. I'm sure many probably think I've gone over the top, but I have approximately 15 different varieties in that bed that are doing fantastic.

Don B

Al:

Thank you for that input. I doubt I'll get that many varieties here. I have tried many of the zone 7 and 8 plants but only the musa basjoo have made it through the winter . I am going to try coarse sand and see if that will help he with other varieties.

Mark Dragt

Hi Don, welcome to the org! It's great to see another NW banana grower. As Chong stated, the rain can be a bigger problem than the cold. I do have a big list of bananas.

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cincinnana

Welcome to the Jungle....

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HMelendez

Welcome to the banana gang!......

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