MBindy2000

I cut the plant down to about 2 feet, then I pile mulch all around where I assume the corm is. Then I put an all weather trash bag around the stalk with the bottom cut out. Then I bubble wrap the stalk, with the bubbles inside and the duct tape the bubble wrap around the stalk. Then I add more mulch and finally I pack the bag with hay. Then put two more bags over the bag. Over on the transplant idea thread I have some pictures of this method. This was a success for me last year. I am always learning and figure to use this method again. I live in zone 6b and want to give my plants the best protection possible. However, I am open to learning some newer ways of winterizing my tropical.

MBindy2000

I think I understand what you are saying. My bubble wrap did protected the plant, however, there was a ton of moisture build up on the plant so when it was time to uncover the plant it was a sloppy mess. The plant did recover and grew a good fifteen feet tall.

Attached Images

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subsonicdrone

one thing about mulch is it creates heat

people heat greenhouses with a coil of pipe in a pig pile of wood chips

but apparently it is warm enough where you are(mbindy) to not worry about the extra protection

Denverian

I don't understand why the one I have from last year (where the p-stem turned into a "sloppy mess" as well) shot up new growth, but only up to about 3' tall. I wonder if my clay soil is holding growth back?

MBindy2000

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So what I did today out in the rain is piled a bag of mulch over the stump and the assumed area where the corm is. I also placed the leaves from the plant over it. I figure they could keep things dry and become compost. I wonder if I should add more mulch? Also I decided to against the bubblewrap this year too. I cut the plants down to about six inches. I need to buy more mulch.

Also the chicken wire is to keep our puppy out of the mud. The larger muddy area is going to be my expanded banana garden for next year.

MBindy2000

I have a lot of clay in my soil, but when I planted my plants I have always added sand to the soil to help the drainage. You might be able to try that. Well, as I working in the yard today I thought about what a couple of people have said about bubble wrap and think that could be the problem. Since it causes more moisture and these plants are full of water the bubble wrap will cause problems. One problem it's plastic and could cause unnecessary heat that would cause the stem to rot and then the other problem the plastic will not retain the heat when it gets real cold. I came to the conclusion that I should cut the plant down to about six inches and mulch the heck out of it. I figured the leaves from the plant could also help keep things dry until they decay. What I need to learn about is how will the plant decide to go dormant? When I was cutting the plant down I noticed later that it was still growing in the middle. It probably grew a quarter inch. I hope my info helps and thank you to others who have offered advice.

Denverian

Hmmm... good point about the bubble wrap. Maybe I'll just wrap with the insulation, then a bag and lots of leaves over that, mulch a lot around the base with leaves/grass clippings.

One thing about Denver... the winter sun is strong at this altitude and it can get up in to the 60s and 70s even in Dec - Feb. I think my p-stem turned to mush last March. And in March it can get into the 80s. But then it always goes back to cold and some snow in April. Difficult climate to deal with!

MBindy2000

Well definitely keep us all posted. I'm curious to see whether bubble wrapping, insulating or mulch is better ways to go. I'm guessing whatever we do for our plants there is winner either way. As long as they grow in the spring is all that matters.

beam2050

I know what your talking about Denver. I lived in rock springs wyo. one day there would be a foot of snow and the next you would be pushing mud with your bumper and the next it would snow and go back to freezing.

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npk of wood ash 0/1/3 to 0/3/7

npk of banana leaf ash 1.75/0.75/0.5

cincinnana

Some of the southern(Zone 7-8 )fellas wrap mini christmas lights around the stem. after they wrap them up....sounds like a plan!!


As a fun test take a can of soda and wrap it with bubble wrap ,then put it is the warmest gloves you have and put it in your zone 6 freezer for a couple of days..

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cincinnana

Yes,,,,,, click on the photo to see more pics.

In this garden it is used for about 400 plants...for the last 7 years

In my garden about 50 plants for the last 5 years.

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Eric1221

This is my plan: use a tube used for concrete filling.. put that over the stem and fill the tube with hay. Once i stuff the hay in there i want to cover it with two garbage bags and then put mulch around the base.. do you think this seems okay ?

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I am very fascinated and excited about growing Pawpaws (Asimina triloba). I also am equally fascinated and excited to be growing: Pawpaw cultivars, Echinacea purpurea 'magnus', Asclepias tuberosa Butterfly Weed, Musa basjoo Cold Hardy Banana, Lycium barbarum 'Sweet Lifeberry', Passiflora incarnata 'hardy native maypop'.

Future projects: Indigenous/native host plants for butterflies such as: Zizia aurea Golden Alexanders, Eutrochium maculatum Joe Pye Weed, Asclepias incarnata Rose Milkweed.

geissene

The reason your plant may have appeared to grow is because the new leaf (center) is no longer being held back by the resistance of the full length P-stem. I have seen this when cutting down my p-stems, the center section relaxes and it seems like about an inch of growth happens in just a few hours. If the plant continues to grow, then its not sleeping!

Don't be too concerned about hiberation. Last year in PA, we had a very warm december and my basjoos came out of hibernation 2 times. I just cut the top leaves off after the next frost came.

Erik

Denverian

A few years ago I had some other variety of banana (not hardy) that I dug up and brought inside, and put it in a pot in the basement. It died after a couple months, presumably due to lack of sunlight (it was by a large window well).

I'm wondering what the success rate is with Basjoo if you chop the leaves after frost, dig the whole thing up and let it dry out, then put the roots it in a bag and leave it in a dark, cool basement room. This is what I do with my elephant ears with great success. Anyone have success with this method?

MBindy2000

Same success as the elephant ears. I have dug up my red bananas, giant Nepal(snow banana) and a musa basjoo the past two years and when spring arrived I planted and they grew well. This year I'm gambling and left everybody outside in the ground.

Denverian

If you dig it up and store in the cool dark, does the p-stem survive? If I choose this method, I'd have about a 4 - 5' p-stem connected to the roots.

MBindy2000

If you choose to go that direction It will grow a little(a few inches). Just don't water it. Just leave it be to rest. Also, make sure you get the entire corm.

cincinnana

Sure, give it a try. Keep in mind you are in zone 7.

If you find it does not work to preserve the height of your stem then you always have the corm to rely on in the spring to start with.
Then next year you can try something else.

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cincinnana

Some of the forum members do that annually with their plants. Seems to reliably work for them. They store the plant barefoot inside in a breathable type bag in a horizontal or vertical position
A few even tuck the barefoot plants in the crawl space under their homes.


Check out this thread some posts have goof photos.
Time to put the bananas to sleep for the Winter

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cincinnana

10 day forecast for this thread is good ,,,,,,for ten more grow days. even more,

So take your time...the weather does..

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