Crazy canadian
 

Well, I think its about time for me to try a musa basjoo. Im a zone 4a or b here, but there are spots inmy yard probably a 5 or mabey 6 in a few places. How would i go about over wintering these plants up here??

Re: Crazy canadian
 

Welcome Crazy Canadian. First off you're on the right track by realizing the different microclimates in your yard. Pick the warmest one wherever it is. The "standard" method would be cover with a pile of leaves and cover that with a tarp. I tried hay bales last winter and although the plant lived(barely) I dont think they had the perfect contact with the ground to insulate as well as could be. Check out some of the old posts in the cold hardy thread and you'll get lots of good ideas and info. Good luck.

Re: Crazy canadian
 

I chop the top half of mine off and dig it up. I over winter in a heated basement in a pot of Cocount Husk Chips and water very lightly. I place a shop light on a timer over head and light them for 8 hours a day. I planted mine out this year with three new leaves and about three ft of pseudostem. It took up almost no room in the basement and I have a head start on the season now! I managed to over winter a Basjoo, Dwarf Cav., Super Dwarf Cav., Ice Cream, Myer Lemon, and 4 pots of Palm Seedlings in a 4 x 4 x 8 space for 8 months. I tossed the lemon to make room for the Banana's when the leaves started to grow though...

Re: Crazy canadian
 

THanks for the repies. Now the only reason i say basjoo is becasue thats the cold hardiest banana i could find info on. Ive read some articles and posts saying they survived a zone 3 heavily multched. Does anyone know of any hardier bananas then the basjoo. Iv read repots saying the sikkimensis is hardier.

Now canuk, im assuming by "overwinter", you mean bringing them inside your house, and not leaving them outside for the winter. I would like to try to leave them outside all winter. Thanks so far everyone