George Webster

Last year I got my first banana, a basjoo. It survived the winter. Has done too good for the location. I will be trying to move it next spring.

This spring I got a sikkimensis seedling from Sandy in Indiana. The P-stem is two feet tall.

I also got two corms of an unknown, that had bloomed the last summer. They each have six pups. I plan to bring one into the basement (if I can lift it). I would like to try and save the other in the ground. I know it is more than a little risky, but I don't have room for a dozen plants taller than me.

I have read several of the threads and the instructions for using Christmas lights. It seems two details are left out. Is the string of lights wrapped directly against the P-stem? Might that burn them?

Also, here is St. Louis we will likely have killing frost, followed by warm weather before many leaves fall. A frost that kills the tomatoes, would certainly kill the whole p-stem, right. I am straining my brain trying to figure how to save them till leaf fall. I will get plenty of Oak Leaves after frost.

Thanks for any and all comments.

George.

kaczercat

when i used them last winter i rapped them around but the bulb not touching the p stem. rapped them around the ground inches away from the plant too. this year i am gonna try to save more of the p stem. i had an issue where they burned out and in the time they went out and me noticing i lost the p-stem to frost. this year i will not make that mistake. good luck.

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Matt

pondplantgirl

I made a mini greenhouse over my banana last year and strung Christmas tree lights. Now, it is actually healthier looking than my other banana that had no lights.

Zone 9

DisneyButterfly1

I would love to see more comments on this subject & other winter protection. I am in zone 8 Pensacola Fl. We do not have the weather you folks have, but sometimes that can be worse...really cold followed but warm trends to only have another really cold is not good either. Have heard of the Christmas lights, but I'm like you: do we touch or just wrap close. Have also heard wrap in plastic bubble, but someone else warned not too as could hold moisture & freeze. Have had others say heavy mulch, hay, etc then cover with X Large garbage can or floor pot, etc. Would be awesome to get guidance from those that have done this. I have some babies that are suppose to be really hardy & some that will need to come into greenhouse. Thanks for any help.

sunfish

Would it be safer to use low voltage lighting ?

George Webster

Safety is certainly a concern. Some low voltage would not produce necessary heat.

Our code requires a ground fault power source. So there will be no shock hazard. However it will be necessary to have some of the lights come to the outside to make sure moisture has not tripped the protector.

George

palmtree

I put christmas lights right next to my plants and then a breathable frost cloth over the x-mas lights to keep just a little more heat in (and then a garbage bin to keep maximum heat in). I havent had any problems with fires, but I do only turn them on when necessary and take the protection off as often as possible.
Its always risky to use any kind of electicity though.

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Location: New York City, zone 7b

sashaeffer

Although I haven't done it yet(will this winter) is to plug in the lights to a thermocube so they only come on when needed.

I've also seen some threads and pictures where people used heat tape wrapped directly around the Pstem and then covered with burlap, or some other insulation. The heat tape has it's own built in thermostat that will turn it on at around 38 deg. Shortest one you can buy that I've seen is a 6ft for just under $20. Yes, christmas lights are cheaper, but with 6ft(or more) of heat tape, you can even bury some of that in the ground above the corm.

It's want I'm going to do with one of my Palms as an experiment. There are a lot of great ideas in the book "Plams won't grow here and other myths" which covers a lot of the tropical plants we all enjoy and how to over winter them.

iz

Do you have a picture how you build the mini greenhouse?

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Going banana 4 bananas,
iz

DisneyButterfly1

I'm just in zone 8, but my plants are babies, just got them this year. I am thinking I will just bring them into greenhouse and put them in sand, perlite, hay or some type of mulch. Any thoughts. The ones I got this season: Basjoo, Giant Ethiopian, Thai Black, Musa Bordelon, Mekong Giant, Musa Little Prince, Blue burmese, "Ice Cream", Red Abyssinian, Musa Siam Yellow, Golden Lotus. HaHa Got a little carried away. Couln't decide which one I liked best so just got one (or two of some) of each. Can't wait until next year.

iz

And I thought I got carried away planting banana's this season: D.Orinico, Texas Star, California Gold, Gold Finger, 1000 Finger, 3 white/green variegated, Unknown banana from mom's garden, Truly Tiny. Maybe next year I will get the Sikim banana for its known cold hardiness. I got 2 of ea banana's for 1 in pots and 1 in-ground incase outside does not survive. Although, I had no idea they are known for producing 2 or more pups so quickly. If I've known that, I would have not have bought doubles- will more for give away gift I guess.
Anyway, as for the ones in ground, the D.Orinico and the California is the healthiest and biggest. I am nervous about using Christmas light for burning reason and doesn't that use lots of power? I haven't decided if I am going to dig the large ones and winterize it or winter protect it; my goal is to fruit it next season.In the meantime, I am looking for a 55 gallon plastic barrel to go over the pseudostem, which will be wrapped with wall-insulation and blankets.

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Going banana 4 bananas,
iz

eric27

Up here in WI I have used Christmas lights many times when it got very cold, say below 0F or colder. Of course my plants are heavily wrapped so the lights are not touching the stems at all. I use the lights you put on bushes, those grid type, and would just lay it on top of the fleece. Becasue of the low heat it never started a fire, which was a concern at first. But it did seem to help raise the temp a few degrees around the outside of the covering. One major drawback-only use it when very cold because it can cause too much heat to build up underneath the plastic and moisture to build up, which leads to rot on the cut growing tips.

sashaeffer

Yes, ventilation has to be kept in mind for sure. just enough heat/light to get by with.