Banana Insulating tube for winter
 

Any thoughts on my zone 8b, In ground, banana winter protection.
Right now my plan is to build an insulation tube to slide over my banana plant. Here is a link to the product I am looking at at Lowes.
Shop Insulfoam 1" x 4' x 2' R-3.85 Insulated Sheathing at Lowes.com

I think I want to build the tubes by taking two of these, cut in half lengthwise then glued to make a tube about 1 foot sq and 4 feet long. I figure I could then add them in 4 foot sections. A string of Christmas lights go inside of that.

Re: Banana Insulating tube for winter
 

I know nothing about this subject, but find it interesting.

What do you try to keep alive the corm, P-stem, or also the leaves ?

What temperature is needed to keep it alive.

Re: Banana Insulating tube for winter
 

I hope to keep alive eight feet of the stem with no leaves. On the very coldest night I should be able to hold 35F.

Re: Banana Insulating tube for winter
 

There are probably a ton of flaws in my first idea.
Wrap the P-stem with a hose and hook it to a crude geothermal heat pump.
I don't know where your frost line is, but maybe it is not too low.
Mid 50's is a little warmer than 35.

Re: Banana Insulating tube for winter
 

Here you go

http://www.bananas.org/f15/still-thi...html#post52906

Re: Banana Insulating tube for winter
 

The ground hardly ever freezes so the frost line is only a few inches. I have to protect my citrus every year so I feel sure this should work.
Thanks Tony. I had found that before. That is some serious cold
I will try to build a 4 foot section pretty soon just to see what building problems to expect like glue and UV exposure.